Co-op Energy Talk

S6E7 - Getting Back To Business

Northern Michigan is opening up following a multi-month shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For the local business community, this is an opportunity to try and get back to what they do best.

Listen in as we welcome Warren Call, CEO of Traverse Connect, to discuss the challenges local businesses faced during the shutdown, the work Traverse Connect and others did to help our region be the first to reopen, and the other challenges and opportunities that exist as we move forward.

S6E6 - Live From The NRECA Annual Meeting

Co-op Energy Talk hits the road! Earlier this year, Tony sat down with co-op leaders from across the country while attending the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Listen in as they discuss what they've seen over the years and what trends they believe we should be watching to prepare for the future.

S6E5 - Co-op Governance Adapts To "New Normal"

You know it well: member control is the cornerstone of any co-op. So, pandemic or not, a co-op board of directors still needs to function. Listen in as we discuss the steps Cherryland and its board have taken to adapt to this "new normal," including updates on board meetings, the board election, and the 82nd Annual Meeting. 

Learn more about the Cherryland board of directors and co-op governance at www.cherrylandelectric.coop/governance.

S6E4 - Planning For A Pandemic: Part II

Since our last episode, we saw the first cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) reach the Grand Traverse region and Governor Whitmer enact the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" Executive Order across the state. Listen in as explain what Cherryland has done to respond to the pandemic since, including providing updates on core services, billing policies, and co-op financials.

S6E3 - Planning For A Pandemic

Needless to say, there is a lot of talk surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) these days. How do those providing critical services like Cherryland prepare for such a pandemic? Listen in as we discuss the measures we've taken to safeguard co-op employees and to continue to provide reliable service to our members.

S6E2 - Go Electric And Everybody Wins

Looking into the future, there's one trend that stands out in our industry: beneficial electrification. Simply put, this is the idea that using smarter electric appliances, heating sources, and transportation instead of their fossil fuel-powered counterparts can make us more energy efficient and allow more energy to come from cleaner sources. Listen in as we sit down with Sam Hogg, Director of Business Origination at Wolverine Power Cooperative, to discuss this trend and what an electric future might look like.

S6E1 - Gemini Solar Project

They say, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas." Well, it would be hard to hide the Gemini Solar Project, a 690 MW solar array (with 380 MW of lithium-ion storage) soon to be built just outside of the famous Nevada city. Listen in as we discuss the details of this historic project and its impact.

Do you have feedback? Email us at pr@cherrylandelectric.coop.

S5E11 - A Gubernatorial-Sized Ask For Rural Michigan

Of Michigan's 83 counties, 59 are classified as rural, all playing important roles in the state's economy. As these rural communities face their unique challenges of the future, state level support and representation is becoming ever more vital.

Spearheaded by the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance, one initiative calls on Governor Whitmer to create a cabinet-level position devoted to rural economic development. Listen in as we sit down with Kent Wood, owner of government relations consulting firm, Borealis Strategic, to discuss this rural economic development initiative and its importance to northern Michigan.

If you wish to offer your support for this initiative, go to the following: http://chng.it/Lg6G8vrR.

 

S5E10 - Sky's The Limit for Cherry Capital Airport

Cherry Capital Airport is the fourth largest commercial airport in Michigan... and it's not stopping there. They recently added two new carriers and several new nonstop flights, bringing their non-stop service up to 15 cities. Listen in as we sit down with Airport Director Kevin Klein to discuss both the opportunities and the challenges this time of growth and change will offer.

S5E9 - Co-ops Climb Capitol Hill

When problems arise, co-ops have a hard time sitting idly by. So, when the co-ops' tax exempt status is threatened, we head straight for the Capitol. Listen in as we reflect on Cherryland's recent trip to Washington, D.C. and discuss the top issues facing co-ops today with board members Dave Schweitzer and Gabe Schneider.