Great River Energy returned $25 million to members in the latest cash payout from the not-for-profit cooperative. Great River Energy and its member-owners are cooperatives. The don’t sell energy to customers. They provide electric service to members. Members get to vote in cooperative elections. Members can run for the board of directors. Members also have […]
When Stearns Electric Association wanted to attract a crowd of firefighters, police officers and other first responders to its warehouse for three hours of electric vehicle (EV) safety training on a Wednesday night last fall, the co-op relied on two powerful tools to drum up interest: its communications team and free food. The cooperative —
A unique project to introduce the benefits of electrification to organizations and government agencies with fleet vehicles is adding four all-electric vehicles to service in Minnesota. The transportation sector continues to experience rapid changes due to advancements in electric technology that offer several benefits in fleet applications. Great River Energy created an opportunity to showcase
Co-ops provide spark for electric vehicle testing Read More »
Great River Energy’s leadership and board of directors hit the road earlier this month to educate member-owners about the company’s performance and plans for the future. Regional meetings were held in Mankato and Hinckley to offer a convenient option for both northern and southern cooperatives to attend in person. Nearly 200 member-owner directors and key
Members gather for update on company performance, strategy Read More »
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 Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative (MVEC) board of directors has named Marvin Denzer as interim chief executive officer of the cooperative. Denzer replaces Ryan Hentges, who accepted a position with Dakota Electric Association after six years leading MVEC. A graduate of North Dakota State University, Denzer began his MVEC career in 1991 as an engineer.
Denzer tapped to lead Minnesota Valley 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 »
The electric system proved resilient as Winter Storm Elliott brought blizzard conditions and subzero temperatures to the Midwest in the days leading up to Christmas. However, at critical moments Great River Energy and its member-owner cooperatives stepped up to keep the system reliable. Great River Energy and its member-owner cooperatives have designed their systems to
Co-ops persevere through historic holiday storm Read More »
Strong financial results allowed Great River Energy to return a bill credit to its member-owners Higher than expected annual revenues might inspire most companies to buy back shares, pay higher dividends or build their balance sheets. But not-for-profit cooperatives like Great River Energy provide electric service at cost and any additional gains are returned to
Year ends on financial high note Read More »
Two of Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives recently announced who will take the helm as their new chief executive officers. Ryan Hentges will be the next president and CEO at Dakota Electric Association, based in Farmington, Minnesota. Matt O’Shea has already begun serving as CEO of Stearns Electric Association, based in Melrose, Minnesota. Hentges comes
Two co-ops announce new leadership Read More »