You might not think a Florida hurricane can affect your Indiana home’s energy, but when Ian devastated the Sunshine State’s power grid, it forced our team to adjust our 2023 plans. The equipment we expected to receive and install during the coming year has been diverted to restore what the storm destroyed. It’s a reminder of how global events affect daily life here in Indiana … and it underscores the importance of flexibility in our strategic planning.

Kankakee Valley REMC’s board and staff are constantly preparing for the future. During 2022, we finished the first two phases of our fiber optic project, providing over 118 miles of high-speed infrastructure to help us better manage our network. While the fiber loop addresses the co-op’s needs, we continue to have conversations with local internet service providers to see if our available fiber could assist them in serving the rural communities. Although supply chain issues have slowed our project progress, we expect to complete the third phase
by the end of 2023.

This year, we rolled out our SmartHub customer information system, helping you make informed decisions about your energy use. We continue to replace outdated electric meters with Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters that allow you to have more control. We also began upgrading several substations to accommodate the growing electrical demand.

Another way we focus on the future is by strengthening our community, and one of the most important elements is preparing tomorrow’s leaders. In 2022, we sponsored our biggest group ever to the Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., supported students at Camp Kilowatt, and welcomed the first 10 participants to our Junior Board of Directors program.

Our mission statement includes a commitment to exceeding your expectations. As the energy industry changes, we remain focused on doing just that, from ensuring reliable power, to helping you make the most of every energy dollar, to supporting our neighbors and strengthening our communities. As we enter a new year, we appreciate your continued trust.