2025 Projects Preview
In retrospect, 2024 was an eventful and exciting year, full of changes and innovations that set the stage for the future. As we welcome the New Year, I’m optimistic about our upcoming achievements and foresee an even better year ahead.
The Cooperative’s overall performance can be effectively evaluated using 3 key metrics: employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and cash flow. These measurements provide comprehensive insights into our operational success.
It goes without saying that no company, regardless of size, can succeed over the long term without energized employees who believe in the mission and understand how to achieve it. The work slated for this year would not be possible without a force of dedicated individuals and the resources to bring it all to fruition.
Proper planning, budgeting, and foresight are essential to move projects from concept to reality. Your board of directors plays an integral role by setting policies, authorizing funds, and ensuring decisions are carried out. This role is not taken lightly. They are dedicated to understanding the Cooperative business model, remaining loyal to members, and striving for excellence.
The Co-op continues to work on system improvements, which will result in enhanced reliability. The approved budget for this year contains over $32 Million in system improvement projects, in addition to another approximately $5.8 Million in new construction. You place your trust in us to be as frugal as possible with your investment in the Cooperative, and it is a trust that we take very seriously. In a perfect world, the entire distribution system would be renovated and enhanced all at once, but that just isn’t feasible. Rio Grande must, like you, keep an eye on the bottom line and stay within the budget.
There are some major improvements slated to take place within the Co-op during 2025. Much of the groundwork was laid during 2024, and I believe you’ll be impressed with the forward motion in 2025. As you review this 2025 preview, please keep in mind that not every project on the drawing board for this year is included. We’ve tried to cover the highlights, so if you don’t see a project for your area specifically mentioned, that doesn’t mean there won’t be upgrades and system improvements.
On behalf of everyone here at Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, we wish you health, happiness, peace and prosperity in the New Year!