CEO January Message - 2025

As the calendar turns to a new year, many individuals take the opportunity to reflect on their personal goals and resolutions. At Hill County Electric (HCE), we also believe in taking a moment to celebrate our accomplishments, especially as we embark on 2025. This past year has seen significant challenges with Verona as well as significant accomplishments by our team.

In 2024, HCE successfully rolled out several new systems that are set to improve our operations. First among these is a new mapping & staking system designed to integrate into our billing software system. This integration will provide significant gains in efficiency for the future. Training is essential when it comes to adopting new software. Our team committed to learning the new software programs and attended many training sessions on it.

These upgrades are complemented by an integrated outage management system that offers features not previously available on our old platform. Members who have accessed our outage management page via our website will notice a refreshed look and enhanced functionality.

In addition to these advancements, HCE has continued to prioritize the reliability of our infrastructure. Throughout 2024, we conducted thorough testing on over 4,700 poles as part of our ongoing pole testing program. Since the introduction of this initiative in 2017, we have noted a significant decrease in downed poles during storms, a testament to the program's success. This proactive approach ensures the safety and reliability of the electric service we provide to our members.

Moreover, over the last five years we addressed another critical area by replacing over 60 miles of degraded underground cable that had been the source of outages for our members. This significant infrastructure investment is a vital step toward ensuring consistent and reliable electric service as we look to the future.

As we embark on this new year, we are excited about the enhancements we've made and the path ahead. We look forward to serving our members with renewed vigor and dedication, keeping your needs at the forefront of everything we do. Here’s to a successful 2025!