Role of Utility Companies in Economic Development KEDA Fall Conference Gabe Schlickau, CEcD Economic Development Manager
Company Overview SOUTH DAKOTA WYOMING COLORADO IOWA NEBRASKA KANSAS 68,100 customers 549 employees 31 communities served WYOMING 74,400 customers 315 employees 4 communities served COLORADO 164,900 customers 387 employees 52 communities served IOWA 151,000 customers 196 employees 130 communities served NEBRASKA 196,300 customers 428 employees 106 communities served KANSAS 110,000 customers 140 employees 56 communities served 11/9/2018
Kansas Service Area 11/9/2018
Energy as a Competitive Advantage 2000-2010 Avg. Industrial Natural Gas Price Kansas ranks 5th Alaska $3.31 Texas $6.19 Utah $6.42 North Dakota $6.48 Kansas $6.52 U.S. Average $7.07 Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 11/9/2018
Black Hills Energy Economic Development Provide a competitive & economic advantage for our communities and company Encourage Business Retention & Expansion Economic Development Rate Existing customer relationships Drive Business Additions Business recruitment efforts Marketing assistance Establish Community Capacity for Business Community economic development toolbox 11/9/2018
Community Economic Development Programs Support community’s economic development capacity Marketing Assistance Demographics/Economic Modeling Housing Assessments E/D Professional Development Scholarships Strategic Planning Training Location One Information System 11/9/2018
Utility site inquiries Information needed for RFP response Site location (address, intersection, or legal description) Peak hourly demand (MCF/hr) Delivery pressure required (PSI or PSIG) Estimated usage (MCF or Therms per month/year) Time frame for response Service required date 11/9/2018
Why contact the utility early? To manage customer and community expectations Utility service issues rarely make projects happen, but they can prevent them from happening if not properly planned Nobody likes surprises! Identify the best site for prospect’s energy needs Review by engineers and planners Determine best way to serve the customer Determine if impending change will affect service to other customers 11/9/2018
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