Also attending were project partners from the City of Melrose, project architect GLTArchitects, and construction manager W Gohman Construction.
Stearns Electric is replacing its current 54-year-old operations center and headquarters with an 89,000 square foot building and a larger pole yard. The additional space, as well as new work and storage areas, are needed to support the Cooperative’s growing operations now and far into the future. The new facility will be located just west of Stearns Electric’s current headquarters along Interstate 94 in Melrose, Minnesota.
“The new operations center and headquarters represents an important investment in our long-term ability to continue meeting the energy needs of our members,” O’Shea said. “This project will help us make our services more efficient, which will allow us to control costs more effectively and keep our energy rates competitive.”
“The new operations center and headquarters facility is a building for employees and members alike,” Peterson explained. “The additional space will help us better maintain our fleet of vehicles and equipment needed to sustain the delivery of reliable electricity our members expect and deserve.”
The projected cost of the project is $21.5 million. Expected completion is in late summer or early fall of 2025.
Stearns Electric operates an operations center and headquarters in Melrose along with a branch office in St. Joseph. Both facilities are essential to the reliability of service needed to the Cooperative’s membership. The Stearns Electric branch office in St. Joseph will be unaffected by this project.