The ECE Credentials and Election Committee met February 22 and approved director candidates for Districts 2, 5, and 6 for the 2023 election year. Because candidate Thomas Schoenecker, District 4, was the only member nominated by petition in his district, he was acclaimed director by the committee and no election will be held in that district. View all candidate profiles on pages 2-7 of the March/April Co-op Advantage newsletter.
If you are an ECE member in a voting district, please vote online or by mail (traditional mail-in paper ballot, online through our website, by scanning a barcode on a smartphone, or through the SmartHub app). Official ballots will be mailed March 29. Online voting opens March 29 at 8 a.m. Paper and online ballots must be received by our third-party election management provider, Survey and Ballot Systems, no later than 8 a.m. April 19. As a reminder, ECE does not participate in the sending or tabulation of ballots.
We can’t wait to see our members in person for ECE’s 87th Annual Meeting at the Braham Event Center on April 20 with the theme of “Rural Roots.” Check out multiple electric vehicles beginning at 5 p.m., then stay for the 6 p.m. presentation. A review of the 2022 activities of the cooperative, as well as director election results, will be shared. Hot appetizers will also be provided. While there is no gift for attendance, we will have exciting prize drawings at the end of the evening, including bill credits. We hope to see you there!
Best wishes, David and Garry!
District 2 Director David Deutschlander (L) and District 4 Director Garry Bye (R) are not seeking re-election. We appreciate David’s 19 total years of service and Garry’s 8 years of service.
The 2023 experience will be held Tuesday, June 20 at ECE’s Braham Headquarters location from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Four spots available
- Visit a job site
- Meet the executive team
- Lunch and snacks included
- $500 scholarships
- Job shadow opportunities
We’re proud to once again partner with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees program to provide free trees to ECE members.
Select a species and optimize your home’s energy efficiency with an interactive online mapping tool. The tool also helps prevent future conflicts with overhead lines.
Trees are available on a first-come basis (one per member household) starting March 20. You will need your ECE account number to process your order at arborday.org/eastcentralenergy. Supplies are limited.
All calls about the program should be directed to the Arbor Day Foundation at 1-855-234-3801.
REMEMBER! Always have your underground utilities located three working days before digging to avoid making dangerous contact. If you damage a buried facility without calling for a locate, you will be financially responsible for the damage, as well as a fine up to $2,000.
(MN) Gopher State One Call
Call 811 or 800-252-1166
or visit gopherstateonecall.org
(WI) Digger's Hotline
Call 811 or 800-242-8511
or visit diggershotline.com
Respect all markings and dig with care. It could save your life!
With rebates on everything from appliances to ground source heat pumps, it’s easy and cost-effective to make your home more energy efficient. Check out ECE residential rebates.
If you have reliable internet access at home, count yourself lucky. Many of our members have expressed frustration regarding current options and rural accessibility.
In February, we asked our social media followers why they want or need better internet services. Common responses included adults working from home, children and teens researching school reports, cameras in the barn for foaling time, the desire to stop paying for mobile hot spots, and of course entertainment: how nice it would be to stream a movie without lagging, or for the kids to play a video game with their friends on the weekends. None of these hopes are grandiose—our members just want the ability to maximize their time and participate in everyday experiences.
We hear you! Your cooperative is making large strides towards closing the digital divide. ECE Fiber is coming your way soon and will be offering a step up from broadband: fiber internet, the gold standard.
We’re planning to begin construction Phase 1 of 5 in May (funded by ECE in the amount of $30 million, plus nearly $15 million in MN Border-to-Border grants). The overall cost is $350 million. Grants are an important component, and supply chain issues could prolong our overall target. We look forward to eventually offering lightning-fast fiber internet service to ALL members!
While we’re still working on services and pricing, the level of interest from each neighborhood could impact our construction schedule and allow us to get to certain areas sooner. Be sure to visit ecefiber.com to add your address to the list of potential subscribers, then ask friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. Don’t rely on luck! Just as our predecessors in 1936, let’s work together to change our rural landscape.
