Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative (TWEC) Board of Directors unanimously voted to construct a new headquarters building at their Board Meeting on March 26th, 2020. The Cooperative has operated from its current facility since it was constructed in 1949, with an office addition built in the 1980s.
The decision comes in response to intense study and planning with appropriate experts to evaluate TWEC’s needs and possible solutions to determine the state of the building, which has served the Cooperative for 71 years. The evaluation examined the building’s structure, sustainability, building needs, building inefficiencies and recurrent flooding issues.
The current facility offers little insulation, no ventilation, and an inefficient HVAC system. The square footage of the facility is inefficient for office workflow. “As our current headquarters have served us well for the last 71 years, the Board realizes it is cost prohibitive to carry us for the next 71 years,” said Miles Kuschel, TWEC Board Chair.
The Board of Directors are working with Contegrity Group- a construction management company based out of Little Falls, MN. The architects have developed designs and specifications based on input from TWEC. The final bids selected came to a total price just over $2.7M, which was just below the Cooperative’s estimated $3M project cost. The project will not affect members’ rates.
“This decision has been given a vast amount of thought and due process over the years while taking into consideration the needs of our members and staff,” said Kuschel.
The new headquarters will boast hands-on displays for members to learn about energy efficiency, rebates, and overall ways to interact with the Cooperative. A small conference room will also be available in a private and comfortable setting where members can meet with TWEC staff.
Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative (TWEC) is a not-for profit distribution cooperative that is owned and controlled by the members they serve. TWEC is located in Wadena, has 8,900 member services in place with approximately 2,250 miles of line. TWEC’s service territory includes a majority of the rural areas of Todd and Wadena counties along with portions of Becker, Cass, Douglas, Hubbard, Ottertail and Morrison counties.
