My article last month centered on Indiana’s utility disconnect moratorium and Tipmont’s commitment to help those of you who are struggling with unemployment, reduced hours, or furloughs from the COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium expiration date was extended to Aug. 14 after the July Indiana Connection deadline and may be extended further if COVID-19 cases continue to increase. 

Many Hoosiers are experiencing unemployment, reduced hours, or furloughs from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of those jobs may not come back, meaning workers will need to learn new skills to help them realize new opportunities.

Last month, I shared that our board of directors decided to postpone the 2020 Annual Meeting, originally scheduled for Saturday, July 25. We’re all hoping that the pandemic continues to ebb, but the safety of each member we serve will always be our primary consideration.

Tipmont REMC will be closed Friday, July 3, 2020, in observance of Independence Day.

I wrote last month about how our delivery of critical infrastructure makes our responsibility more important now than ever. Cooperatives routinely plan for emergency situations, and our emergency plan has served us well in a variety of circumstances — from ice storms to tornadoes. In these unprecedented times, we’ve taken some additional unprecedented steps to make sure our team is in place to power your world.

Over the last several weeks, our team has been working with the companies within the Purdue Aerospace District to provide Wintek fiber connectivity. The aerospace district brings significant new investment to our area and specifically the 231 corridor west of campus.

Earlier this year, I was thrilled to join Tipmont and Wintek in the role of business development director. I was previously with Greater Lafayette Commerce for 24 years, most recently as vice president, economic development. My new role will build strong relations with existing and new customers throughout Tipmont and Wintek’s service area. I will also be working closely with the local community leadership to attract new industry and help create economic opportunities.

It’s college football season and Tipmont REMC is hosting the Pick-It Bowl Challenge this year!

Tipmont’s board of directors held its regular board meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 15. All directors were present. Also attending were CEO Ron Holcomb and Attorney Jeff Helmerick.

Electric vehicles (EVs) have a long and complicated history. The first electric car debuted in the U.S. around 1890. It was a six-passenger vehicle with a top speed of about 14 miles per hour. By the early 20th century, many taxis in New York City were electric. But the high cost of production compared to gasoline-powered cars combined with a lack of electricity outside the cities was too much to overcome. By the mid- 1930s, electric vehicles had mostly vanished.