News

Great River Energy’s foundation of cooperative principles and organizational strategy emphasizes the importance of providing affordable, reliable and cleaner power. Environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives are chosen and supported by members based on the topics they value most.Safely delivering affordable, reliable and cleaner powerAt Great River Energy, we’re focused on...Continue Reading

As the world shifts to new energy sources, companies have a responsibility to innovate and continue to provide reliable, affordable energy. Because of this, it’s clear that the future of power is electric cooperatives. The co-op model gives members a say in how their energy is sourced, distributed and priced.Great...Continue Reading

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development State Director for Minnesota Colleen Landkamer announced more than $825 million in clean energy investments through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Empowering Rural America (New ERA) program. Rural electric cooperatives and communities will use the funding to support thousands of...Continue Reading

The first phase of the Black Desert Resort near Zion National Park in Ivins, Utah, had a soft opening in October. This development phase of the 630-acre property features a resort hotel, spa, golf course, roughly 1,000 condos, and 190,000 square feet of commercial space, including shops and restaurants.The sustainability-minded...Continue Reading

There’s been a chant building across the energy sector the last several months, “build, baby, build.”With the historic approval of a record-setting portfolio of transmission lines last month, the Midwest is poised to do just that: build the critical grid infrastructure needed to support continued economic growth.The Midwestern grid operator...Continue Reading

As not-for-profit organizations, energy cooperatives provide a strong foundation for communities. Cooperatives work toward the sustainable development of their communities through decision-making processes and operations that are influenced by their members.We’re building a strong foundation for communitiesGreat River Energy is focused on serving our communities by powering them with affordable,...Continue Reading

Cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies supported by members. Our founding principles emphasize the importance of environmental stewardship, supporting our communities, and providing reliable and affordable power. Through environmental stewardship, we are working on significant carbon dioxide reduction measures with a goal of more than...Continue Reading

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has awarded more than $4.37 million in grants to four infrastructure projects in Greater Minnesota. The funding, awarded from DEED's Greater Minnesota Business Development Public Infrastructure Grant Program (BDPI) and Innovative Business Development Public Infrastructure Program (IBDPI), is expected to support...Continue Reading

The U.S. frozen food market size was estimated at USD 83.50 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.1% from 2025 to 2030. The rise in dual-income households and busier lifestyles in the U.S. has fueled the demand for frozen, ready-to-eat, and ready-to-cook meals, making...Continue Reading

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Dec. 23 unveiled a new program to support American wood processing facilities. USDA Rural Development is partnering with USDA Forest Service to provide funding through the new Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (TPEP). The program will support the processing and utilization...Continue Reading

Here at Great River Energy, we know how important it is to be forward-thinking and innovative for our members. That’s why we actively participate in legislative and regulatory processes – state and federal – on behalf of our members.How is Great River Energy involved in key legislative and regulatory processes?By...Continue Reading

The hum of machinery could be heard as semi-trucks continuously rolled in and out of the Heartland Corn Products ethanol plant site Wednesday.Heartland Corn Products (HCP) of Winthrop was recently awarded a $1 million rural Minnesota Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP) federal clean energy grant.Ethanol plant CEO/General Manager Tom...Continue Reading

In energy cooperatives, members play an important, necessary and active role in shaping the future of their community’s energy. As part owners, membership responsibilities extend beyond simply paying for energy usage. One of the key responsibilities is participation in decision-making processes, including voting in board elections and providing feedback on...Continue Reading

On Dec. 11, Great River Energy held a ribbon cutting for the expansion of its St. James Service Center. Great River Energy employees, City of St. James officials, and the EDA were all in attendance. Heather Reinhart, Great River Energy Communications Specialist with Great River Energy, recently celebrated the expansion of...Continue Reading

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture wants to build a green fertilizer industry in the state.Officials believe a grant program will encourage agricultural cooperatives and rural electric cooperatives to get into the fertilizer business.“It's brand new to the state, and it is actually the first of its kind in the nation,”...Continue Reading

Tucked in the rolling hills of farmland outside Brooten, about an hour from St. Cloud, the cheese store and distillery Redhead Creamery is hard at work preparing holiday gifts in its newly expanded space.The family-owned business is offering several special items for the holidays, including its “12 Days of Cheesemas”...Continue Reading

A harvesting equipment manufacturer is preparing a $3.9 million addition to its facility in the St. Cloud Airport Business Park.Geringhoff was issued a building permit from the city of St. Cloud totaling $3.92 million for a 40,500-square-foot single-story addition to the existing building. The project, spearheaded by Bradley Stramm Construction,...Continue Reading

Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commissioner Thom Petersen has announced the launch of the Green Fertilizer Grant Program. The announcement was made at the Green Ammonia Summit in Morris, Minnesota, US.The Green Fertilizer Grant will support agricultural and rural electric cooperatives registered as 308A or 308B with the state of...Continue Reading

Electric cooperatives rely on members to shape the future of their community's energy. As part owners of their local electric cooperative, members have responsibilities that go beyond simply paying bills. They are involved in decision-making, such as voting on board elections and key issues like energy investments and pricing.Electric cooperatives...Continue Reading

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that USDA is investing $6.3 billion in rural and Tribal communities across 44 states to expand access to a clean and reliable electric grid, provide safe drinking water and create good-paying jobs.“The Biden-Harris Administration invests in rural America, because we...Continue Reading

Here in Minnesota, businesses benefit from electric cooperatives. Great River Energy’s member-owner cooperatives serve 60% of the state, providing competitive prices and reliable energy to residents and businesses alike. We also provide services and assistance to our customers looking to start and grow their businesses by helping them plan and...Continue Reading

Electric cooperatives support their members by providing affordable and reliable electricity to their communities. Co-ops are member-owned, not-for-profit organizations that prioritize the needs of their members rather than shareholders. Members have a voice in the decision-making of the co-op, electing a board of directors to help guide the co-op’s operations.Electric...Continue Reading

A farm site marketed by Faribault officials for new development is poised to be the future home of a 500,000-square-foot data center in the city.Archer Datacenters SPE2 LLC of Chappaqua, New York, paid $4.5 million for the 87.6-acre property at 15339 Acorn Trail, which is just south of 150th Street...Continue Reading

A farm site marketed by Faribault officials for new development is poised to be the future home of a 500,000-square-foot data center in the city.Archer Datacenters SPE2 LLC of Chappaqua, New York, paid $4.5 million for the 87.6-acre property at 15339 Acorn Trail, which is just south of 150th Street...Continue Reading