AUGUST 2018
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
NEXT, Powered by NAEC bringing fiber-to-the-home to all members
App lets users pay bill, report outages and check usage With the NAEC Mobile App, members can pay their bill, report an outage and monitor their electric usage at any time. The free app is compatible with both Apple® and Android® devices. Log-in information is the same as the NAEC Member Account Portal at www.naeci.com. If logging in for the first time, use your account number (found in top left of your statement) in the first field and the same account number minus the last three digits in the second field. If you have trouble logging in, please call 870-895-3221 for assistance.
Labor Day Closing Our offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 3. Crews will be on call in case of an outage. Call 870-895-3221 or use our app to report.
The North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Board of Directors has approved the expansion of NEXT’s fiber-to-the-home network to all of the cooperative’s territory. NAEC formed the telecommunications subsidiary NEXT, Powered by NAEC in November 2015 to provide internet with speeds of up to one gigabit to three pilot areas in Baxter and Fulton counties. “The pilot project was a great success,” CEO Mel Coleman said. “We exceeded our goal of subscribers, and many have shared with us the benefits true broadband internet has brought to their families and businesses.” NAEC serves more than 36,600 member accounts across almost 5,000 miles of line. NEXT internet as well as phone and television services should reach all of them in approximately five years. The fiber-to-the-home network will be built in phases. Work is under way to determine which areas will be included in Phase Two. Potential subscribers in Phase Two will be mailed a packet on NEXT’s services once they can subscribe. “We hear daily from members wanting high-speed internet and the economic and educational benefits it can bring,” Coleman said. “We are excited to be our members’ local source for reliable, affordable broadband internet moving forward.” As construction of the fiber network progresses, look to www.naeci.com/next and www.facebook.com/NEXTbyNAEC for updates.
Operation Round Up awards 18 scholarships The member-supported Operation Round Up program awarded 18 scholarships to recent high school graduates for the 2018-2019 school year. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend Arkansas State University-Mountain Home are: Matty Dillard, Norfork High School; Megan Hiles, Calico Rock High School; and Destiny White, Viola High School. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend Ozarka College are: Mesa Barger, Melbourne High School; Abigail Brindley, Mammoth Spring High School; and Abby Greer, Salem High School. Receiving a $1,000 scholarship to attend the university of their choosing are: Jared Alexander, Mammoth Spring High School; Sydney Brown, Calico Rock High School; Ragan Burris, Highland High School; Lenise Byrd, Izard County Consolidated High School; Alexa Darracq, Mountain Home High School; Caleb Davis, Calico Rock High School; Luke Foreman, Mountain Home High School; Hope Menendez, Mountain Home High School; Katelynn Miller, Highland High School; Elizabeth Pounds, Cave City High School; Allison Shands, Cave City High School; and Sydnie Zimmer, Mountain Home High School.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIP OF THE MONTH Look for LED products and fixtures for outdoor use, such as pathway, step and porch lights. Many include features like automatic daylight shut-off and motion sensors. You can also find solar-powered lighting for outdoor spaces. — energystar.gov