Electric cooperatives support local tourism by powering many of Minnesota’s lake resorts Minnesota’s iconic lake resorts are the heartbeat of many rural communities. They generate economic activity, preserve traditions and offer visitors an unforgettable escape into nature. With 11,842 lakes and 755 resorts and lodges across the state, these businesses, which are often family owned, […]
Cabin country is co-op country Read More »
The board of directors for Great River Energy member-owner cooperative East Central Energy (ECE) approved four new Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) loans in 2024, providing $730,000 in financing to support a variety of economic development and business expansion projects in east central Minnesota. From food processing to fire trucks, this RLF — supported by the
East Central Energy’s financing program sees busy year Read More »
New headquarters demonstrate cooperative focus on economic development Many Great River Energy member-owner cooperatives have recognized the need to update their headquarters buildings, service centers and other facilities in recent years to better serve their members and ensure the safety of their staff. The unique ways they have approached these projects have created significant economic
Investing where they serve Read More »
Access to housing is a challenging theme in communities throughout the United States. Housing shortages exist for nearly all demographics and age brackets. The situation for individuals and couples seeking places to retire or needing health services is no different. Creating a greater supply of senior living offers hope for those entering the silver years
Senior living projects address greater housing demand Read More »
The Jamestown Rural Fire Department’s newest truck has arrived and is ready to keep the community safe, thanks in part to a $25,000 donation from Great River Energy. The department covers a wide area surrounding Jamestown, North Dakota, including Great River Energy’s combined heat and power plant Spiritwood Station and the homes of many employees
New fire engine ready to serve Jamestown area Read More »
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $1.5 million loan to Stearns Electric Association through the Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program (REDLG) to support the owners of Redhead Creamery in their efforts to establish an innovative on-farm distillery that uses the leftover whey from their cheesemaking process to produce premium distilled
The Energy Efficient Equipment (E3) Loan Program administered by Great River Energy is seeing an uptick in activity as businesses work to overcome challenges related to workforce shortages, inflationary interest rates, and increased shipping and material costs. One recent example is Midstate Plastics Corporation, a thermoforming and injection molded plastics manufacturer based in the northern
Unique loan program supports advanced manufacturing Read More »
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a $1.5 million loan to Stearns Electric Association, one of Great River Energy’s 27 member-owner cooperatives, to support the expansion of the Berkon Outdoors manufacturing facility. Berkon Industries, LLC was established in 2001 as an all-cedar dock manufacturing company owned and operated by entrepreneur Eric Berscheid. Berkon
Stearns Electric supports manufacturing facility expansion Read More »
As part of its commitment to powering economic growth in the communities it serves, Great River Energy sponsored the fourth annual Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference. Led by University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality, this event brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, economic development professionals, decision makers, and community champions from around the state to
Event connects entrepreneurs, leaders to support economic growth Read More »
Electric cooperatives serve their members with the electric power necessary for community businesses and residents to operate and live as they prefer. The economic development services cooperatives provide are also some of the most critical resources that local projects and communities need. But sometimes, the cooperatives are the economic development projects themselves. For example, some
Cooperatives serve members by investing in their communities Read More »