As we reflect on the past year, I am proud to report that Heartland REMC remains strong, financially stable, and focused on the future of our members and communities.

Our cooperative continues to grow, and with that growth comes both opportunity and responsibility. Whether we are investing in the electric system, supporting residential and commercial development, welcoming new employees, or expanding service through Heartland Highspeed Fiber, our purpose remains the same: serving members with reliability, accountability, and a long-term commitment to our communities.

A major priority this year has been continued investment in our electric system through an aggressive construction work plan and right-of-way maintenance program. Right-of-way work helps reduce outages caused by trees and vegetation, while our construction work plan allows us to proactively replace aging infrastructure, strengthen the system, and prepare for future growth across the service territory.

Heartland REMC continues to see steady residential growth, with new homes and members being added throughout the areas we serve. We are also seeing major growth in the business sector, including the new IU Medical Center currently under construction in Southwest Allen County. New and expanding businesses bring jobs, services, investment, and opportunity, and reliable electric service is critical to that progress.

This year also marked an important step forward with the start of Heartland Highspeed Fiber. Created in response to member feedback, Heartland Highspeed Fiber honors our cooperative roots. In the 1930s, when others would not provide electricity to rural areas, local people formed cooperatives so rural communities could have the same opportunities as everyone else. Today, reliable high-speed internet is a similar need, and Heartland Highspeed Fiber is helping close that gap.

We are proud to share that Heartland Highspeed Fiber currently has more than 6,000 subscribers and more than 3,400 miles of fiber line in place. Every connection represents a home, farm, business, or family gaining access to an essential service.

Growth also requires a strong team. Over the past year, we welcomed seven new employees across multiple departments. Our employees answer member calls, maintain the electric system, respond during outages, plan future projects, manage daily operations, and serve our communities. They remain one of our greatest strengths.

I am pleased to report that Heartland REMC remains financially stable. Financial stability allows us to invest in reliability, maintain our system, support growth, and prepare for the future. Even as costs for materials, equipment, labor, and wholesale power continue to rise, we remain committed to careful planning, responsible budgeting, and sound financial management.

As a cooperative, we operate for the benefit of our members. Thank you for your continued trust and support. It is a privilege to serve you, and we remain committed to the cooperative values that have guided Heartland REMC from the beginning.