Groundbreaking held at headquarters
As electric cooperatives evaluate load flows, growth requirements and structural designs to create a long-range plan for electric distribution systems, so must they continue to grow as their membership expands.
On Aug. 17, Capital Electric Cooperative (CEC) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony to announce a building addition to the co-op headquarters and service center in north Bismarck. To show how the cooperative continues to grow and evolve, Capital Electric also unveiled a new logo, which Board Chairman Dwight Wrangham says will show how the co-op is progressive and moving forward.
Changes necessary to continue serving efficiently
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The Capital Electric board of directors and general manager pose during the groundbreaking ceremony. Diggers (l-r) include: Bernard Falkenstein, Arlene Olson, Lars Nygren, Blaine Doppler, David Liuska, Shelly Peterson, Dwight Wrangham, Duane Lasher, Ervin Mund and Jim Hawkins. |
We have come a long way in 50 years, growing and serving over 11,500 member households. The building our co-op now occupies on 4111 State St. was built in 1970, with an addition added in 1986.
“We are now busting at the seams again and additional office space is needed,” Wrangham says.
Construction will begin in September with plans to add about 10,000 square feet to the office building. This includes the addition of a third level, a new reception area, additional offices on the main level and a new hospitality room on the lower level.
“The purpose of the addition is to help us provide better service to our members and to provide much-needed space for our growing staff. We will also be adding 14,000 square feet to the service center on the east side of the office building for use by our line crews,” he says.
“Changes are inevitable, and growth is good. As we analyze our growth rates and continue to see a steady climb, it seemed like the right time to make some necessary changes,” Wrangham says.
Following the ceremony, the Bismarck Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors helped with the ribbon cutting and later joined the manager, directors, staff and special guests for cake and coffee in the current hospitality room.
New logo portrays co-op as progressive
“The time seemed right to update our corporate identity as well,”
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In Touchstone Energy colors, the new Capital Electric logo portrays the co-op as progressive, reliable, innovative and dependable. |
says Wes Engbrecht, director of communications and public relations for Capital Electric. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Engbrecht handed out caps with the new CEC logo, embroidered with Touchstone Energy® colors.
“In the past, we’ve taken the approach of serving behind the scenes. We haven’t climbed the highest mountain to shout how much we’ve invested in this community. But the numbers are truly significant and we’ve done it for one reason: to serve our member-owners. Capital Electric has served as a hidden treasure in these communities for a long time, and we think it’s time to step out of our shadow.”
To help brand the cooperative as bolder and more progressive, the goal was to develop a logo that would portray Capital Electric as a reliable, innovative, dependable and technologically advanced cooperative.
“We wanted it to be easily recognizable by the public,” Wrangham said at the ceremony. “The dimensional effect of the CEC on the logo provides depth, breadth and sophistication to its appearance. The colors were chosen from the Touchstone Energy color palette and portray an image of excellence, warmth and reliability.”
Wrangham thanked Dennis Hill, NDAREC executive vice president and general manager, and J.C. Balcom, production and graphics services manager of the North Dakota LIVING magazine, for working with Capital Electric directors and staff to design and implement the new logo.
Hospitality room closed during construction
In an effort to keep members and visitors safe during he construction period, we are no longer allowing the people to reserve the hospitality room. We thank you for your patience and look forward to inviting people and groups back after the renovation work is complete.