Economic development Archives - Great River Energy
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Economic development

Cooperatives help advance manufacturing investment in North Branch

Economic development, Member-owner cooperatives /

North Branch city officials, local and state leaders, community partners and company representatives from LP Building Solutions gathered earlier this summer for a groundbreaking celebration for the newest — and largest — plant in the manufacturer’s network. The 350,000-square-foot LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding manufacturing facility is slated to begin production in the first quarter of 2028 […]

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Cannabis cultivation drives new energy demand across rural Minnesota

Economic development, Member-owner cooperatives /

Minnesota’s adult-use cannabis market is in its early stages but it is already generating new opportunities for electric cooperatives, economic development organizations and rural communities. For Great River Energy and its member-owner cooperatives, the cannabis sector is a new category of commercial and agricultural load growth that requires early coordination. While projects vary in size

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PowerOn to fuel billions in economic impact across Minnesota

Company news, Economic development, Transmission /

New report highlights benefits for communities, jobs and long-term regional growth A new economic impact report projects major job creation, economic growth and long-term tax revenue from the PowerOn Midwest projects as electricity demand continues to rise in the region. PowerOn Midwest, a group of major transmission projects anchored by a 765‑kilovolt (kV) line, is designed to make

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Ireland trade mission shows investment paths for rural electric co-ops

Cooperatives, Economic development /

Rural areas in Minnesota continue to find innovative ways to attract private investment, skilled workers and stable employers. Foreign direct investment has become a steady source of that growth. Many international companies are now looking beyond big cities, which is why Great River Energy is partnering with its member-owner cooperatives and regional groups to connect

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Hitting the slopes: How winter recreation, electric co-ops power Minnesota’s rural economy

Community, Cooperatives, Economic development, Member-owner cooperatives /

When temperatures drop, Minnesota’s economy heats up. Snow-based recreation generated $238 million in state economic value in 2023, a dramatic rise of $126 million since 2019, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. While many tourism sectors declined during the pandemic, skiing and snowboarding activity increased. Minnesota’s 23 ski facilities employed 2,406 workers and generated

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Putting down roots in the communities they serve

Community, Cooperatives, Economic development, Member-owner cooperatives /

Member-owners reinvest in their service territory by building new headquarters, operational facilities Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives have served their memberships with reliable, affordable electricity for nearly 90 years, and many are committing even further to these communities for decades to come as they construct modern operational facilities. While much of the reasoning behind the

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Powering progress in rural Minnesota

Economic development, Member-owner cooperatives /

Great River Energy’s E3 Commercial Financing Program brings value to communities Through its Energy Efficiency and Electrification (E3) Commercial Financing Program, Great River Energy provides a stable, affordable financing tool to help member-owner cooperatives and their communities invest in high-efficiency equipment and innovative electrification projects. The result? Long-term energy savings, economic resilience and measurable carbon

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Cabin country is co-op country

Beneficial electrification, Community, Cooperatives, Economic development, Member-owner cooperatives /

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,

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East Central Energy’s financing program sees busy year

Community, Cooperatives, Economic development, Member-owner cooperatives /

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

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Investing where they serve

Cooperatives, Economic development, Member-owner cooperatives /

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

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