This article is adapted from CEO Brett Abplanalp’s remarks delivered at the Annual Meeting on Friday, June 13, 2025.
At Decatur County REMC, we believe in more than just keeping the lights on. We believe in powering lives, building connections, and strengthening the communities we call home. And if the past year has shown us anything, it’s that when we come together with a shared mission, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.
Our guiding theme for the year has been “Building a Better Community” — a phrase that’s not just a tagline, but a blueprint for everything we do. From reliability improvements to broadband innovation, we’re focused on delivering real value where it matters most: in the homes, farms, and businesses of our members.
Power you can count on
Reliability is the bedrock of our work. Even in the face of increasingly severe storms and unpredictable weather, our members have continued to count on us. Over the past five years, the average member experienced just 150 minutes of outage time per year, well below our targets. That’s more than just a number; it’s peace of mind in real time.
And we’re not letting up. Tree-related outages have been reduced by 53% compared to the previous five-year period, and our pole replacement program is running well ahead of schedule — 250 poles already replaced, smashing our goal of 152 by the end of 2025.
In addition, we’ve launched a meter upgrade initiative targeting aging equipment that’s past its service life. These upgrades will significantly improve outage reporting and restoration response, minimizing disruptions for our members.
Financial strength with community focus
As a not-for-profit cooperative, we operate differently — and proudly so. We’re not here to make profits; we’re here to serve. That’s why our financial strategy strikes a careful balance: we borrow from traditional lenders, yes, but we also reinvest planned margins back into the system. That’s your money, improving your infrastructure.
In 2024, we stood firm financially. Strong equity, healthy operating margins, and most importantly, tangible results: over $900,000 returned to members in capital credits, and $2.6 million invested in critical infrastructure — all without a single base rate increase since 2019. That’s fiscal responsibility in action.
Powering the future with broadband
One of our boldest moves this year was launching PowerStream Fiber — our high-speed internet initiative aimed at closing the rural digital divide. Because let’s be honest: in today’s world, broadband isn’t a bonus. It’s a necessity.
We began by applying for $27 million in funding to reach every corner of our membership. So far, we’ve been awarded nearly $5 million, enabling us to bring fiber service to over 1,400 members. And we’re not done — we’re actively pursuing additional funding through the BEAD grant and remain committed to growing this service in phases.
PowerStream Fiber is more than a broadband project. It’s a promise: to connect our members to opportunity, no matter where they live.
Investing in people, not just poles
While infrastructure is vital, our true strength lies in people. Throughout the year, we’ve created meaningful opportunities for engagement — from one-on-one member conversations to community-wide events.
One shining example is our Little Crew Club, a youth program that earned national recognition through the NRECA’s Spotlight on Excellence Awards. It reminds us that big ideas rooted in small communities can make a lasting impact, especially when we invest in the next generation of cooperative leaders.
A call to engagement
Everything we’ve achieved this year — every mile of fiber, every upgraded meter, every tree trimmed and pole replaced — is the result of a collective effort. It’s the outcome of a cooperative model that places people first and believes in the power of shared ownership.
But none of this works without you. Your voice, your vote, your involvement — that’s what keeps this cooperative strong, transparent, and member-led.
As we look ahead, our mission is clear: keep pushing, innovating, and building a better community — together.
We extend our sincere thanks to the many community and business partners who helped make this year’s meeting a success.
A special shout-out to C&P Tavern, Hillbilly Corner, O’Mara Foods, the North Decatur Football Team, and the 4-H Junior Leaders for providing a delicious meal and outstanding service.
We’re also grateful to Energy & Safety Investigation, Hoosier Energy, Indiana Electric Cooperatives, Koors Heating & Cooling, Lohrum Electrical, and WRBI for participating in the evening and sharing in the experience.
And a big thank you to Hoosier Energy, Honda, Russ Hubler Automotive, and Southeastern Indiana REMC for lending electric vehicles for display and demonstration.
Finally, thank you to Greensburg Elementary School for graciously allowing us to use their facility. We appreciate the hospitality!
