1. Role of Utility Companies in Economic Development
KEDA Fall Conference
Gabe Schlickau, CEcD
Economic Development Manager

2. 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
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3. Kansas Service Area
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4. Energy as a Competitive Advantage
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)
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5. 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
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6. 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

7. 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
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8. 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
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9. 11/9/2018