Rural electric coops preparing to start their building projects

COLMAN, S.D.(WNAX)- Many rural electric cooperatives are waiting for better weather and supplies to arrive to start their spring and summer building projects.

Ted Smith, vice president of Engineering and Operations for Sioux Valley Energy based in Colman, says they have about nineteen million dollars in construction planned for this year.

Smith says the lead time to get equipment and supplies has stretched out.

Smith says their work schedule depends on when their supplies show up.

The coop will also spend about nine million dollars in replacements and additions to their offices and service centers.

They serve about twenty five thousand customers in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota.