As we wrap up another year, I want to take a moment to look back on 2025 and share a few thoughts about where we’re headed in 2026. It’s been a year of steady progress, meaningful community impact, and continued dedication to serving you — the members who make LaGrange County REMC what it is.

Throughout the year, our team has been hard at work strengthening the reliability of your electric service. We’ve upgraded aging infrastructure to help reduce outages and restore power faster when they do occur. These improvements are part of our ongoing commitment to providing safe, affordable, and dependable electricity to every member we serve.

But our work doesn’t stop at the power lines. We’re proud of the way we continue to give back to the community that supports us. Through Operation Round Up, your generosity helped fund local nonprofits, schools, and community initiatives that make a real difference here at home. Our employees volunteered their time at local events, food drives, and youth programs — because at the heart of a cooperative is people helping people. We saw firsthand the support by our communities at Topeka Together, the 4-H fair, final Fridays in LaGrange, the milkcan game at Prairie Heights and the Pigeon River Festival in Mongo.

Another exciting area of growth this year has been our broadband internet service. What started as a dream to bridge the digital divide in rural LaGrange County has now become a thriving network that connects more than 4,500 customers — and that number keeps growing! Reliable, high-speed internet has become just as essential as electricity for families, students, and small businesses, and we’re honored to help make that possible for so many of our members.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re focused on continuing to invest wisely in our systems and our people. Like many utilities across the country, we’re facing higher costs across the board — from materials and equipment to the wholesale power market, where prices for generating and transmitting electricity have risen significantly. To help offset these increases and maintain the financial health of your cooperative, a modest rate adjustment will take effect in 2026.

We never make rate changes lightly. We know any increase affects our members, and we remain committed to keeping your energy costs as low and stable as possible while ensuring we can continue improving reliability and investing in the future.

Even with these challenges, there’s much to be optimistic about. Our 2026 plans include more system upgrades, new energy efficiency options, and continued expansion of our broadband network — all designed to better serve you, our members and neighbors.

As we enter this holiday season, I want to personally thank you for your continued trust and support. It’s a privilege to serve this community and to work alongside such dedicated employees and members. From all of us at LaGrange County REMC, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with peace, joy, and connection.

Here’s to a bright and successful 2026 for all of us!