The Outlet is published quarterly to highlight Great River Energy's economic development activities.
Minnesota prepares broadband for remote worker influx
Remote work has grown 400% in the last decade, and it is quickly becoming the new norm. By 2025, an estimated 70% of the workforce will be working remotely to some extent. Many people are deciding to move to find more space to work from home, including to rural areas, which is causing rural community leaders to rush to provide infrastructure that supports a remote workforce. But Great River Energy and its member-owner cooperatives are already ahead of the curve in working to bring better broadband to rural areas by leveraging state and federal grants. 
Borling completes
CEcD training
Great River Energy is pleased to announce that Jeff Borling, economic development lead, earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer through the International Economic Development Council, a national recognition that denotes a mastery of skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth.  
Demands on manufacturing, distribution continue to grow in wake of the pandemic
The pandemic disrupted businesses worldwide, leaving potentially lasting impacts on warehousing and distribution systems. But with immediate disruptions now being stabilized, companies are scrambling to expand warehouse capacity and bring manufacturing processes back onshore to serve the evolving demands in retail distribution. Great River Energy and its economic development partners are currently working to accommodate this anticipated growth.
Great River Energy hosts USDA REDLG webinar for member cooperatives
Great River Energy recently hosted a webinar on the USDA Rural Economic Development Loan & Grant Program, which allows electric cooperatives to apply for low- or no-interest loan financing for eligible economic development projects in their service areas. The event attracted more than 36 participants from 19 of the cooperative's member-owners.
Meet your economic development services team
Tom Lambrecht
Tom administers and implements economic development strategies.
You can reach him at
763-445-6105 and tlambrecht@grenergy.com 
Erin Sparks
Erin, based in Maple Grove, focuses on economic development in central and southern Minnesota. You can reach her at 763-445-6113 and esparks@grenergy.com 
Jeff Borling
Jeff, based in Duluth, focuses on economic development in northern Minnesota. You can reach him at 218-355-8088 and jborling@grenergy.com 
Our member-owner cooperatives
Great River Energy and our 28 member-owner cooperatives take pride in providing our service territory across Minnesota with competitively priced, reliable energy. We are also committed to helping customers start and grow their businesses by helping them plan and manage their energy needs.