Partnering with Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures
A unique partnership was solidified when a 3-megawatt solar array broke ground near the Grand National Golf Club at Grand Casino Hinckley.
Your ECE Board of Directors has approved a capital credits refund of $5.5 million for 2021. Learn more.
This hunting season, please keep these safety tips in mind as you enjoy the great outdoors.
When our Member Appreciation Events were canceled during the pandemic, we asked ourselves if there was a better way to make a difference in your daily lives. While we always love seeing our members and sharing a meal, we knew we could make a greater impact. Coupled with feedback from December’s $72,000 donation to food programs across our service area, we recognized that food insecurity continues to be a major issue in many of our communities.
This fall, we partnered with local food programs to offer two free drive-through food distribution events: one in Mora and another in Pine City. We provided staff and covered the costs to supply nearly 400 households with food and personal items. Special thanks to Mora Food Pantry, Family Pathways, and Second Harvest food banks for their partnership and coordination.
As Communications Supervisor Tina Lanhart mentions, “Many households in our area make trade-offs between basic needs and nutritional groceries. Our goal with the pop-up pantries was to reach members at risk of hunger, at the local level, in a direct and substantial way.”
While not our traditional type of member appreciation event, we received positive comments, big smiles, and words of heartfelt gratitude. Please keep an eye on our Facebook page, as that’s the best way to communicate last-minute changes for future events.
It was a perfect autumn day to drive our 2018 Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle (EV) to the North Country Show & Tell event, held September 30 at Canal Park Lodge in Duluth.
The event helped raise awareness of the many benefits of EVs and allowed attendees to chat directly with EV enthusiasts. Our power supplier, Great River Energy, worked with several co-ops to host the event, including Arrowhead Cooperative, Cooperative Light & Power, ECE, and Lake Country Power.
“We were happy to celebrate National Drive Electric Week with this event,” says Pete Leibel, Energy Services Supervisor. “There is a wide range of EV options and ECE is here to help our members navigate chargers, money-saving charging rates, and future technologies.”
During the discussion panel, industry experts shared their knowledge of EVs, including information about expanding charging options. The event continued at the adjacent solar panel/EV charging lot, along with free ice cream provided by Love Creamery.
Electric vehicles offer a variety of benefits, including lower costs-to-own over the life of the vehicle, cleaner air, no emissions, and a smooth, powerful ride. Visit our website for special charging rates and rebates on EV chargers.
For those struggling to pay the electric bill, our Caring Members program is a blessing. During 2020, nearly 80 households received over $13,000 in assistance to keep the lights on.
Marti Reynolds, Member Accounts Supervisor, notes, “Caring Members is aptly named. Our members truly care for one another in times of hardship. I can’t tell you how heartwarming it is to speak with a struggling single parent or a husband whose wife is battling cancer—and be able to say ‘YES, help is available!’ Many thanks to those who donate to this program.”
You can help fellow members resolve an energy crisis by having a monthly amount added to your electric bill, or by making a one-time donation. We would like to extend a big thank you to Lakes and Pines Community Action Council (MN); Tri-County Action Program, Inc.; and Rural Housing Development (WI) for their help in administering the program.
“Dollars are essentially doubled,” Marti says, “because ECE matches funds donated to Caring Members. Contributions are also tax-deductible.”
This holiday season, stretch your donation fund twice as far by contributing to our Caring Members program. Call 1-800-254-7944 and make a tangible difference to neighbors in need.
At first glance, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, and municipal utilities seem similar—and in some respects, they are. All provide electricity and strive for safe, reliable service. But there are many differences, including one important aspect called capital credits. Read more.