As we wrap up 2025, I can’t help but look back and think what a year it has been. The kind that belongs in the record book, filed under progress and persistence.

Every decision we made this year was guided by our mission: safe, reliable power, member-focused service, and affordability. Simply put, we’re here to keep the lights on and bills manageable.

We continued to show up and serve beyond the lines. Throughout the year, our team was actively involved in member and community engagement — from live-line electrical safety demonstrations at our county schools to grain bin rescue and first responder electrical safety training, to member town halls and open houses. 

Behind the scenes, we strengthened the electric system you rely on. Our long-term capital plan has delivered roughly two and a half times more infrastructure investment over the past decade. We enhanced right-of-way maintenance, reducing the trimming cycle from nine years to seven, and shortened the pole inspection cycle from 10 years to five, ensuring critical poles are replaced more quickly.

This year also marked the upgrade of all our meters, retiring a system well past its useful life and replacing it with technology built for the future. The new meters allow for faster outage response, improved reliability, and capabilities that position us well for future innovation. All of this was achieved while confronting massive industry-wide cost pressures, including transformer prices more than doubling, and still keeping costs under control.

The facts speak clearly: reliability has improved by 40% over the past 10 years and by 25% over the last five years. Our average residential rate is at the median among Indiana electric cooperatives, and we have not implemented a base rate increase since April 2019. 

We also kept our promises on broadband. Members made it clear that fast, reliable internet access wasn’t a convenience — it was a necessity. With Decatur County ranking as the 11th least-connected county in the state, someone needed to step up. Nearly five years ago, early conversations with local leaders made one thing undeniable: if not us, then who? If not now, then when?

Today, that vision is becoming reality. PowerStream Fiber is up and running, and Phase 1 of construction is nearing completion. The project remains ahead of schedule, under budget, and early take-rates have exceeded expectations. 

We aren’t done either. Expanding services, powering progress, and innovating for the future remain our focus. Our renewed vision is to lead the future of energy cooperatives through operational excellence and to create a workplace where people love to work and take pride in serving. We’re honoring our cooperative foundation while leveling up for the future, because our members deserve nothing less.

We’re passionate about the work we do and are honored to serve during a time when our industry is changing faster than ever. If you’re curious about something or hear information that doesn’t seem quite right — call, email, or come talk with us. We’re here for you, and we welcome those conversations.

Thank you for trusting us and for holding us accountable. Progress isn’t quick or easy, but together, we’re proving it is possible. Here’s to 2025 and to building something even stronger in the year ahead.