LIVINGSTON, Sept. 15, 2010 – Sam Houston Electric Cooperative’s new headquarters building is beginning to take shape. The facility, which is expected to be complete by next April, will be built to the latest energy-efficient standards and will include a new, modern dispatch center to facilitate power restoration and normal daily operations. Members will find the new facility to be more efficient and spacious as well.
A lot has changed since Sam Houston EC opened the doors of its current headquarters building in Livingston in 1951. Nearly 60 years ago, Sam Houston EC served just over 7,500 members. Today, the Cooperative provides electric service to more than 67,000 accounts across parts of 10 counties.
Structural steel framing is visible as the new SHECO headquarters begins to take shape adjacent to the old SHECO headquarters.
The new Sam Houston EC headquarters building is being constructed on the west side of the current building and will include key features to increase productivity and create a smoother process flow for member requests. The new drivethrough will offer faster service, and work units within the organization will be housed together to improve efficiency.
During construction, the drivethrough lanes are not available. Members are encouraged to take advantage of Sam Houston EC’s convenient payment options, such as online payments, payments by phone or mail-in payments, until the new drivethrough opens in a few months.
“We are building on our current location, which saves money and allows us to continue to utilize our existing operations facilities,” said Kyle J. Kuntz, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative CEO. “In addition, construction costs are lower than they’ve been in many years, making this an ideal time to build.”
“Our board of directors and staff have carefully considered all aspects of this project to ensure the new facilities will meet current needs and future growth,” Kuntz said. “The new building will provide relief for crowded work spaces and will improve day-to-day efficiency. It will also be built to energy-efficient standards.”
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