Karnes Electric Cooperative, Inc. is expanding. The Board of Directors has approved a plan to construct a new Member Service Center in Pleasanton, Texas, adjacent to the existing office. Construction is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2020. Demolition of the old facility will begin immediately following its completion.
After conducting a needs assessment, a plan was developed to construct the new facility to address current and future operational needs. The Cooperative purchased an additional 13 acres, directly adjacent to its existing 3-acre site, to accommodate the construction project.
Cooperative Building Solutions (CBS), a St. Louis-based firm that offers turn-key solutions exclusively for rural electric cooperatives, was selected to lead the planning, design, and construction of the Member Service Center for KEC. CBS was founded by a career rural electric co-op veteran to help co-ops understand and solve building and facility challenges. CBS assessed KEC’s current facilities and developed a solution to meet the co-ops needs based on recent growth, facility deficiencies and operational needs.
“KEC has grown significantly in recent years.” said KEC General Manager Brad Bierstedt. “This project addresses our operational needs resulting from that growth and is an investment in both our future and in our community. We are excited to have the opportunity to build a facility that allows us to better serve our members.”
The new Pleasanton facility will improve operational and organizational efficiencies within the Cooperative. It is designed to serve KEC and its members for 40-50 years, with room to expand in the future, if the need arises.
The Pleasanton Office is the most frequently visited KEC office and the building has been utilized by the Cooperative for nearly 50 years. The new 16,000 sq. ft. office building will consist of an expanded member service lobby, a drive through window, and a 24/7 self-service payment kiosk, allowing KEC to quickly and efficiently assist members. The building will also house field service personnel, and feature a hardened dispatch center and server room, as well as a multipurpose room for employee training and meetings.
The remainder of the facility will consist of a material warehouse, a vehicle storage area, and a vehicle maintenance area. These facilities will allow KEC to store more material in the western half of its service territory for regularly scheduled maintenance activities and new construction and allow the Cooperative to deploy quickly during major storms.
KEC prides itself in providing safe, reliable electricity to its members and looks forward to providing enhanced services to our membership upon completion of the Member Service Center.
