There’s a lot happening with economic development and energy efficiency in the coming year. From an economic development standpoint, our focus is on making sure our system can support the growth and needs of our communities. All of our power—both our Tier 1 baseload and the additional Tier 2 power we occasionally need—comes from BPA. As we plan for the future, we look closely at the cost of bringing that power to homes, farms, businesses, and potential new industries.
Because we’re a not-for-profit cooperative, we don’t fund economic development through profits. Instead, we pursue grants to help build and upgrade infrastructure without increasing the burden on member rates. This includes improving lines that serve agricultural operations, supporting commercial and industrial expansion, and maintaining the systems our communities depend on—from farms and ranches to healthcare facilities and even local rodeo arenas.
For us, economic development is really about community enrichment. When we strengthen the systems that support how you live and work, meaningful economic growth can follow.