A Look Back

March 2024

What We Achieved Together in 2023

Last year was an eventful one for Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, from rolling out new fiber internet service to rebuilding after Hurricane Idalia. Here are just a few of the highlights we shared together in 2023.

SVEC members pick up 125 tulip poplar trees for Arbor Day.

Winter 2023

  • Construction begins on SVEC’s fiber network, which will be used by the cooperative to enhance the self-healing properties of its electric system and deliver high-speed Internet service to members.
  • 125 members pick up a free tulip poplar tree at SVEC’s fifth annual Arbor Day Celebration.
  • A group of 16 high school juniors represent SVEC at the annual Florida Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Tallahassee.
  • The Florida Department of Commerce Office of Broadband awards SVEC three grants totaling $15 million to help defray the cost of building the co-op’s fiber network.
Seminole Electric’s combined cycle natural gas facility begins operating.

Spring 2023

  • Seminole Electric Cooperative’s 1,100 MW combined cycle natural gas facility begins commercial operations.
  • SVEC holds its first in-person annual meeting since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • SVEC awards scholarships to 10 outstanding high school seniors to help them achieve their post-secondary education goals.
  • The co-op returns $1.1 million to members in the form of retired capital credits, bringing the total amount of capital credits returned to members over the life of the cooperative to $18 million.
SVEC
Crews work through the night to restore power after Hurricane Idalia.

Summer 2023

  • The Florida Office of Broadband awards SVEC a fourth grant, this one for $22.6 million, to help pay for the construction of the co-op’s fiber network.
  • In just eight days, SVEC restored power to 95% of its consumer members after Hurricane Idalia caused severe and widespread damage to the co-op’s electric system.
  • The Operation Round Up® program reaches the $500,000 milestone in grant funds awarded for local classrooms.
  • Rapid Fiber Internet delivers 100% fiber-to-the-home internet service to its first customer.
SVEC marks its 100th Rapid Fiber Internet connection.

Fall 2023

  • The Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce honors SVEC as its Large Business of the Year.
  • The co-op hosts a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or D-SNAP, event held by the Florida Department of Children and Families.
  • More than 700 people attend SVEC’s fourth annual Touch-a-Truck event.
  • Rapid Fiber Internet celebrates the connection of its 100th customer.
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