jschramm@minotdailynews.com
Verendrye Electric Cooperative members experienced rolling blackouts Tuesday morning because of a strain on the power grid caused by bitter cold temperatures in several states.
Verendrye spokesman Tom Rafferty said the the 14-state Southwest Power Pool (SPP) has been unable to keep up with the electrical demand from wholesalers, such as the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA), a federal power marketing agency that provides power to Verendrye’s seven-county area. As a result, it has been necessary to drop some electrical load to stabilize the grid and avoid larger problems.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission reported many utilities in North Dakota were experiencing controlled outages due to low temperatures, high demand for energy and low amounts of renewable generation, including wind and solar, throughout the region.
Jan 19, 2021
The new Minot Area Chamber Economic Development Corporation elected board officers at its organizational meeting. Jonn Knecht of American Bank Center was selected to serve as the first chair for the new organization.
“It is an honor to be selected as the chair of the new organization. I’ve served on both the former Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Minot Area Development Corporation boards and see many advantages in kicking off the year as one.” Knecht said. “It’s now time to roll up our sleeves and get to work. We owe it to the investors and members to look for ways to be as effective and efficient as one organization. I am looking forward to serving with the new board and the staff to serve our region.”
Jan 11, 2021
The merger of the Minot Area Chamber of Commerce and Minot Area Development Corp. as of Jan. 1 of this year is a great move for the two organizations.
Chamber and MADC investors overwhelmingly voted in favor of the merger in December, with 94% of the ballots to Chamber members noting approval and 95% of MADC investors in approval.
The two organizations’ merger now gives them a new name – Minot Area Chamber/EDC.
There were good reasons for the merger including, as John MacMartin, then Chamber president, pointed out prior to the vote. He said one of the goals of the merger is to improve efficiency through sharing of staff and resources. MacMartin is serving as interim president of the merged organization.