Rising to the Challenges

Rising to the Challenges

ROCK RAPIDS KNOWS ADVERSITY, BUILDS TEAM TO TACKLE IT

Ten years ago, Iowa’s Rock River rose above its banks to wreak havoc on the city, county and many of their local resources. The community banded together and showed their resiliency then, just as they continue to do today.

Doing so is just a day in the life for Jim Hoye, general manager of Rock Rapids Municipal Utilities, and his team. As they currently rebuild their control building — destroyed during a 2023 fire, they are rebuilding their team, too.

“It makes a world of difference when you have people to call on in tough times,” said Hoye. “With our team and Missouri River Energy Services, we know we have a family here to help in a pinch.”

That family now includes the additions of Tanner Vogl, utility coordinator and Kris Krull, lineman. Both are Rock Rapids locals with deep community roots and a passion for doing whatever it takes in the office and in the field.

Hiring and encouraging locals to be part of Rock Rapids Municipal Utilities is essential to the community and its continued adaptability. But their professional commitment doesn’t end there.

Hoye stresses that the Rock Rapids team naturally gets involved in civic roles, volunteering and serving in important capacities beyond just the job. That type of involvement comes second nature to MRES and its members. Empowering communities goes beyond just utilities.

“It’s good to have young talent coming home to work and live here. We want to encourage a core group that everyone sees and knows,” said Hoye. “That’s what keeps our community strong –everything from firefighting and volunteering to new thinking. Our people really take pride in their work and commitment here.”

Rock Rapids Municipal Utilities provides electric, water, natural gas and wastewater services. Like MRES, they provide resiliency, in both structure and character. Electric Distribution Superintendent Jeff Becthold of MRES visits Rock Rapids monthly and has helped support their young workforce.

“A lot of the narrative you hear is that people don’t want to work,” said Hoye. “I don’t find that to be true at all. We have very bright young people who have a sixth sense of what they’re doing here. And that’s going to make us stronger than ever before.”