In the 1930’s the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was formed to help communities form electric cooperatives to build electric infrastructure to the rural areas that went unserved due to the lack of profitability and substantial risk for traditional utilities of the day. REA provided government backed loans to these cooperatives to build the necessary infrastructure. Because of this successful program, electric cooperatives continue to thrive today. Electric co-ops operate without motive for profit, they are owned and governed by the members they serve, and they continue to have access to these same loans.

Today, REA is now a department of the United States Department of Agriculture called the Rural Utilities Service (USDA-RUS).  Kenergy continues to borrow from the USDA-RUS to help improve and replace infrastructure and most recently, to install the fiber infrastructure needed to serve rural western Kentucky. Last week, Kenergy invited USDA-RUS Administrator Andy Berke and Assistant Administrator Chris McLean to Kentucky to visit about their new programs to help us continue to improve service to our members.

A random computerized drawing of 251 applicants was held July 5th for three (3) $1,000 scholarships and twenty-four (24) $500 scholarships. Scholarships can be used for tuition, fees, campus housing, textbooks, computers, school supplies, and other costs directly related to the recipient's education.

Congratulations to this year's winners!

$1,000 Winners

Logan Bell

Nick O'Bryan

Jackson Loucks

$500 Winners

Abigail Payne

Alicia Curtis

Lakota Wilson

Andrew Collins

Nathan Dailey

Megan LaClair

Kayley Payne

Kayla Wayne

Allison Porter

Savannah French

Jessie Daniels

Brooke Stanley

Jason Stilwell

Michael Brayden McGraw

Hayden Cash

Ethan Higdon

Randi Porter

Timothy Thomas

Emily Murphy

Hunter Hagan

Lola Morris

Madison Medley

Gavin Peek

Cadence Keister

By: Tim Lindahl, Kenergy President and CEO

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a hidden gem in the midst of the vast span of land we call the United States. When I was young, we would drive through the Commonwealth to see relatives, and later our family would spend a couple of our vacations here, taking in the beauty of both the landscape and the people. I was elated when I was presented with the opportunity to join the communities of western Kentucky by serving at your electric cooperative.

When our family was looking for a new home, we really wanted to be in a rural setting, but it was critical that we have broadband so our family would be able to properly conduct our vocations.  We had several reasons for choosing the home we did, but an item that tipped the scales was seeing Kenergy’s fiber being installed up the road. We knew it would only be a brief time with miserable internet and that we would have the greatest broadband in a few short months. The value of that home went up for us at that point.

There are many critical parts that make up a successful rural economy.  Two of the most critical are energy and communication.  Having the opportunity to be a part of a member owned and governed organization allows each of us to have a voice in providing these two necessities to enhance our modern life.  In the 1930’s, electricity was a far-off dream for folks in rural areas.  Communities came together in cooperative spirit and solved this hardship. Electric cooperatives have been successful in maintaining a system that others thought would never be possible.  We fast forward nearly 90 years and we have a similar situation with the internet.  There are pockets of good broadband in rural areas, but the vast majority of these rural areas go unserved or significantly underserved, which has created a digital poverty.

Energy policy in America is swiftly changing, requiring innovative solutions to keep the lights on and the electricity affordable.  By building a fiber optic network throughout our service territory, we will be not only solving the digital poverty issue, but will have the foundation in place to help make our electric grid “smarter” while being able to manage this changing landscape.  All of this while improving the value of the energy that is provided to you. 

Utilizing the new fiber infrastructure for both of these large initiatives will allow us to get the best return for every dollar invested into the system.  I am proud to be a part of the Kenergy team to work towards solving this digital divide and managing this energy change in a cooperative way.

Though it will take us a little while to get to everyone, we are on pace to be one of the fastest fiber builds in history so that we can get fiber-based broadband to everyone in the shortest amount of time.  This also gives us the advantage to more quickly develop the tools needed to manage the changing energy landscape and keep our electricity safe, reliable, and affordable.

We appreciate your patience as we continue our buildout with this project and share in your enthusiasm to finally bring high-speed internet to you, our members.

All Kenergy offices will be closed Monday, September 4th for the Labor Day holiday. We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday celebrating with family and friends.

As always, you can drop payments at our office nightly drop boxes, make payments on our SmartHub mobile app of by accessing your account 24/7.

Our board election results were announced at our annual meeting this morning at our headquarters in Henderson.

Susan Blanford of District 4 has been re-elected to the Kenergy board of directors. Mrs. Blanford was challenged by Houston Keach of Henderson.

Incumbents Larry Elder of District 6, Billy Reid of District 8, Brent Wigginton of District 9, and Industrial Director Richard Basham faced no opposition and will retain their seats for another three-year term on Kenergy’s Board. 

Kenergy has established an annual scholarship program to assist in financing the higher education of students whose families are cooperative members. In 2023, the cooperative will award three $1,000 scholarships and twenty-four $500 scholarships. Scholarships can be used for tuition, fees, campus housing, textbooks, computers, school supplies and other costs directly related to the recipient’s education.

APPLY HERE

On Wednesday, July 5, 2023 a random computerized drawing will be held for three $1,000 scholarships and twenty-four $500 scholarships. Winners will be notified by email on that date and must send a return email to Jeanette Weedman by Friday, July 7th verifying they received notification and accept the scholarship according to Kenergy guidelines or they will forfeit and another winner may be drawn.

Eligibility and Criteria

The student must be a Kenergy member-owner or have his or her residence with a parent or legal guardian who receives electric service from Kenergy.

High school seniors or graduates may apply. They must attend or have plans to attend college during the upcoming fall and/or spring semester. Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time program (no fewer than 12 credit hours) at a fully accredited college, university, technical college or trade school. Nine credit hours meets full-time requirement for Masters’ program. Post-graduate college students also may apply. Non-traditional students are welcome as well.

Kenergy scholarships are one-time-only awards. Previous winners may not apply.

Scholarship recipients must permit Kenergy to use their names, parents’ names, county of residence and photograph in the cooperative’s publications, including the member newsletter.

Questions?

Contact Jeanette Weedman at 800.844.4832 extension 6157 or email jweedman@kenergycorp.com.

All Kenergy offices will be closed Monday, May 29th for the Memorial Day holiday. We hope you have a safe and healthy holiday celebrating with family and friends.

As always, you can drop payments at our nightly drop box, make payments on our SmartHub app or by accessing your account 24/7.