Tag: REMC

Summer starts with safety: Daviess-Martin County REMC delivers fun, hands-on power line safety demos

Written by Jacob Foster on June 4, 2026. Posted in News.

Summer is in full swing, and students from area schools are enjoying their time away from classes. Whether biking or fishing at West Boggs Park or spending time at the municipal pools in Loogootee and Washington, they are likely to encounter electrical infrastructure, which makes it important that they understand the real dangers associated with electricity.

That’s why, before classes ended for the 2025–2026 school year, Daviess-Martin County REMC (DMREMC) was invited to share power line safety information with students at a local elementary school and at an educational camp.

The first stop was Barr-Reeve Community Schools, where journeyman linemen Jarrett Arvin and apprentice lineman Jeremy Maddox spoke with a group of second-grade students about basic power line safety. Both emphasized the importance of staying aware of their surroundings, including what is above and below them while playing outside.

The tabletop demonstration featured a series of real-world scenarios illustrating what can happen when someone encounters a live power line. Examples included downed poles caused by fallen trees, kites becoming entangled in power lines, and the dangers of digging near underground utilities.

Students remained highly engaged throughout the presentation, especially when viewing live electrical arcing safely performed by DMREMC-trained professionals.

The following week, journeyman linemen Dwain Jolliff and Tyler Bostock visited a group of young men during the Ebenezer Boys Camp at Camp Illiana. These students had spent part of their time at camp learning basic electrical concepts, which were reinforced through the safety demonstration.

The campers asked many thoughtful questions, creating a highly engaging learning environment for everyone involved. Questions ranged from utility location procedures to what it takes to pursue a career as a lineman.

By connecting real-world demonstrations with hands-on learning, DMREMC continues to reinforce the importance of electrical safety and help students build awareness that can last well beyond the summer months.

“It’s moving day”: Daviess-Martin County REMC completes new warehouse

Written by Jacob Foster on May 15, 2026. Posted in News.

Following months of hard work and recovery efforts, Daviess-Martin County REMC (DCREMC) is proud to announce the completion of its new warehouse facility and the official move into the building.

In the spring of 2025, a tornado swept through the Loogootee area, leaving behind a trail of destruction that heavily impacted DCREMC headquarters. While the primary office building sustained only minor damage, the cooperative’s warehouse was completely destroyed.

At 5 a.m. on March 15, 2025, crews arrived to find the building collapsed, with critical equipment buried beneath the rubble. Throughout the day, employees worked to recover salvageable supplies and materials needed to respond to the storm’s aftermath.

The storm caused significant damage across the service territory, with more than 105 utility poles impacted and approximately 1,200 members without power. With assistance from Southeastern REMC, Hendricks Power Cooperative, and WIN Energy, DCREMC crews restored power to all affected members within days.

Once restoration efforts were complete, attention shifted toward rebuilding. DCREMC partnered with engineers and contractors to design and construct a new warehouse facility that would better serve the cooperative’s long-term operational needs.

During construction, equipment and supplies were temporarily stored in cargo trailers and storage containers. Despite the limited space, crews continued daily operations while construction progressed.

In May 2026, employees officially began moving into the new warehouse. Unlike its predecessor, this upgraded facility features a large wash bay, a full bathroom, and an on-site washer and dryer, providing additional functionality and improved working conditions for employees.

The completion of the new facility marks a significant milestone in DCREMC’s recovery efforts and reflects the cooperative’s continued commitment to serving its members and communities.

Daviess-Martin County REMC highlights storm recovery, community impact at 2026 annual meeting

Written by Jacob Foster on April 24, 2026. Posted in News.

The 2026 Daviess-Martin County REMC annual meeting was held virtually on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Chairperson Brandt Schuckman called on Director Josh Dove to give the invocation. Director August Bauer then led the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance, after which Schuckman called the meeting to order.

Following Secretary John Edwards’ report, Daviess-Martin County REMC CEO Ryan Dant reviewed the past year’s cooperative activities.

“The year 2025 was unlike any other for our cooperative,” Dant said. “It challenged us, it strengthened us, and it ultimately reminded us of the extraordinary spirit that defines Daviess-Martin County REMC.”

Dant addressed the tornado damage sustained at the facility in March 2025, which caused minor damage to the office building and completely destroyed the warehouse. Additionally, more than 1,200 members experienced outages during the storms.

During this time, Daviess-Martin County REMC received assistance from Southeastern REMC, Hendricks Power Cooperative, and WIN Energy.

“Thanks to this remarkable teamwork, power was fully restored to every member within five days,” Dant said, adding that a new warehouse is nearing completion and will strengthen operations well into the future.

Despite these challenges, Daviess-Martin County REMC reached an important milestone in 2025 of 495,000 hours without a lost-time accident. Dant also reported that the cooperative returned $750,000 in capital credits to members who received electric service from 1997 to 1999.

Operation Round Up awarded $23,440 to local projects and organizations, bringing total giving since 2004 to more than $654,000.

“These contributions are made possible through the generosity of our members who choose to round up their bill each month,” Dant said, thanking members and volunteer board members for their stewardship.

In 2025, the cooperative’s commitment to youth remained a key focus. Throughout the year, hundreds of students learned about electrical safety through tabletop demonstrations conducted by lineworkers.

Daviess-Martin County REMC also sponsored eight sixth-grade students to attend Camp Kilowatt and one high school junior to participate in the Indiana Youth Tour in Washington, D.C.

“Investing in young people is an investment in our cooperative’s future,” Dant added.

He concluded his address by noting that the cooperative’s strength comes from the people, partners, and members it proudly serves.

Following the address, cooperative attorney Chris Goffinet delivered the legal report and oversaw the 2026 director election.

Two seats were open in 2026: District Three, covering Washington and Veale townships, and District Six, covering Halbert, Lost River, Mitcheltree, and Rutherford townships.

Both seats were retained by the incumbents, Brandt Schuckman (District Three) and August Bauer (District Six).