Counting Our Blessings
Strength, Service and Community in 2024
November is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and appreciate the moments and people that have shaped the past year. While 2024 brought its share of challenges to the Co-op, it also brought out the best in our team, our members, and the communities we proudly serve.
Each fall, we look forward to celebrating National Cooperative Month with our members during our annual Fall Festival. This six-evening event brings together MEC employees, Energy Partners staff, and members to share food, laughter, and updates about the Co-op. If you joined us this year, we’re so thankful for your participation. The success of these gatherings is a reflection of the strong community ties that make our cooperative so special.
As the popularity of the event grows, we’ve relocated the celebrations to local schools and we are grateful for their hospitality. We are equally grateful for our caterer, Leigh Ann Valiton, and her team from the Stray Bullet in Ovando. Their delicious food always earns rave reviews. It’s these moments of connection that remind us how fortunate we are to serve a supportive and engaged membership.
This summer, we faced one of the most devastating storms to hit our system. July’s destructive winds reached up to 109 mph in some areas, toppling trees and snapping over 80 of our power poles, leaving the majority of our members without electricity. Despite the overwhelming adversity, our team sprang into action.
Our lineworkers, right-of-way crews, and engineering department worked tirelessly, day and night, to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Many left their own homes and families in the storm’s aftermath, putting the needs of the community first. This level of commitment is a testament to their professionalism and their deep sense of responsibility.
Of course, this response was only possible with help from others. Not only did other staff jump in to help, but twelve support crews from utilities and co-ops across Montana and beyond joined forces with us. Their assistance proved invaluable, reaffirming the cooperative principle “Cooperation Among Cooperatives.” We are truly grateful for their help during our time of need.
A special thank you also goes out to you, our members, for your patience and understanding throughout the restoration process. Your words of encouragement kept us going during those long days and nights, reminding us of the community we serve and the trust you place in us.
Behind every success this year is our dedicated team. From our office staff to the crews in the field, every employee plays an essential role in delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. It’s easy to overlook the intricate work that goes on behind the scenes, but I can tell you firsthand that our employees consistently go above and beyond to keep things running smoothly.
One standout accomplishment this year was securing multiple federal grants to harden our grid, enhance reliability, and reduce wildfire risk. Competing against hundreds of other utilities, our management team succeeded in securing five of the federal grants we applied for. This achievement speaks to their dedication and the pride they take in ensuring a brighter future for our cooperative.
As we approach the end of 2024, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who played a role in the co-op’s journey this year. As we gather with our loved ones and count our blessings, I will be including the people who make up Missoula Electric Cooperative, and that includes you, our members.
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving.
