Currents-March 2024

Suwannee Valley CURRENTS

INSIDE:

YEAR IN REVIEW

Look back at what we

accomplished in 2023

TAKE OFF TO FLORIDA’S SPACE COAST

Blast off

CAPITAL GAINS

Local students represent SVEC at the Tallahassee Youth Tour

Michael S. McWaters Executive VP/CEO

Most people like to have all the important information before making a decision. We want to ensure a thorough inspection has been done before we buy a house, that we’ve done our research on the make and model before buying a new vehicle and that we understand what goes into the food we buy for our families.

A little honesty and open communication can go a long way. It’s one of the pillars of the cooperative model that makes it work so well. We are a part of this community just like the people we serve. When there’s a decision to be made, we ask ourselves what is best for the co-op and our consumer-members. When we bring in more money than we need to keep our co-op financially strong, it is returned to you as retired capital credits. We don’t operate for profit or have a group of far-flung investors to make happy, so our consumer-members can rest assured that theirs is the loudest voice we hear.

One of the most important ways for you to make that voice heard is at our annual meeting. It’s always been an opportunity for our membership to come together as a community, learn about what Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative has been doing and speak to cooperative leaders about your needs as a consumer-member.

This year, there’s certainly a lot to share. We began construction of a

fiber network that will not only transform our electric system, but also provide high-speed internet service to our consumer-members. We connected the first customers to fiber-to-thehome service. We felt the full force of Hurricane Idalia and still managed to restore power to the vast majority of our members in just eight days.

We also continued to provide support for local students through member-driven programs like Operation Round Up® and scholarships for graduating seniors, all while returning more than $1 million in capital credits to our consumer-members.

Those are just a few of the highlights we were able to accomplish together as a cooperative family in 2023. You can read about more in this newsletter, not to mention see some photos from this year’s Tallahassee Youth Tour. Our students represented SVEC wonderfully in the state’s capital, helping to set the tone for another great year in 2024.

I hope as you look through a few of our cooperative’s many accomplishments over the last year, you’ll feel as proud as I am of everything we’ve been able to do together. 2023 certainly wasn’t without its challenges, but through them, we witnessed the strength of our co-op. I can’t wait to see all the ways we will continue to grow and achieve even more throughout the remainder of this year. 

Join us for the 2024 annual meeting!

WHERE: Suwannee County Agricultural Coliseum 1302 11th St. SW, Live Oak

WHEN: Saturday, April 27

SVEC is excited to announce that the 2024 annual meeting will be held on April 27 at the Suwannee County Agricultural Coliseum.  IS HERE!

Rapid Fiber Internet service is now available to SVEC consumer-members located in Construction Zones 1, 2, 3, and 7 of the co-op’s broadband network.

100 Mbps — $50 per month

1 Gig — $80 per month

2 Gigs — $100 per month

You can find which zone you’re in by entering your address into the search tool on the Project Info page at rapid-fiber.com

REGISTRATION: 9-10 a.m.

BINGO WITH PRIZES: 9-9:45 a.m.

BUSINESS MEETING: 10 a.m.

What we achieved together in 2023 A look back

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.

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.

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.

Photos by Christy Tuckey

An SVEC consumer-member holds up her bingo card at the first in-person annual meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

A dozen high school juniors represent SVEC at the Tallahassee Youth Tour.

Work starts on SVEC’s Rapid Fiber system. Seminole Electric’s combined cycle natural gas facility begins operating.

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 restores power to 95% of its consumer-members after Hurricane Idalia causes 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.

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. 

Suwannee Valley Currents

SVEC and Rapid Fiber staff members celebrate with the first customer connected to the internet.

SVEC marks its 100th Rapid Fiber Internet connection.

Crews get to work rebuilding SVEC’s electric system after Hurricane Idalia.

A child enjoys a bucket truck ride at the 2023 Touch-a-Truck event.

Local students practice with recorders purchased with an Operation Round Up® grant.

SVEC receives the Large Business of the Year Award from the Suwannee County Chamber of Commerce.

Valley residents attend a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program event.

Cajun Shrimp Alfredo

INGREDIENTS

Shrimp:

1 tablespoon butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

Alfredo sauce:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 small yellow onion, chopped

½ tablespoon minced garlic

For shrimp: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and shrimp and saute until shrimp turns pink. Do not overcook shrimp. Remove from heat and set aside.

For sauce: Combine 2 tablespoons butter, onion and garlic in a medium skillet on medium heat and saute until onion is caramelized. Add heavy whipping cream and lemon juice. Bring to a rolling boil. Add Italian cheese blend

1 quart heavy whipping cream

2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 - 3 cups Italian cheese blend

¾ cup Parmesan cheese

Black pepper and sea salt, to taste

Pasta:

Bow tie pasta

Sea salt, to taste

and Parmesan. Reduce heat and allow cheese to melt. You can add more cheese if you prefer a thicker sauce. Remove from heat and add salt and pepper to taste.

For pasta: Follow instructions on package. Add sea salt to taste. When done, drain and place on plate. Top with Alfredo sauce and sauteed shrimp. Garnish with more cheese blend, if desired. Makes 4-6 servings. 

Safety first

Electricity powers modern life, but it can be dangerous if not handled carefully. Check back here each month for new tips on how to stay safe around electric power at your home or business

Did you know keeping your used and unused cords tidy isn’t just a matter of good organization? Keeping electrical cords secure is also important for improving safety and preventing damage.

Keep stored cords away from children or pets to prevent them from playing with or chewing on them.

Avoid wrapping cords tightly around objects. This can stretch the cords and lead to overheating.

Never leave a cord on a hot surface which could damage the insulation and wires. 

To learn more about building safe electric habits, click the Outages & Safety tab on the SVEC website, svec-coop.com, and follow us on social media.

Discover the nature and culture of Florida’s Space Coast

BY VISIT FLORIDA STAFF

Whether your passion is nature or the arts scene, you can find something to love on Florida’s scenic Space Coast.

Paddle through a peaceful lagoon and angle for snapper, photograph an endangered bald eagle at a wildlife refuge and catch colossal waves in the Atlantic Ocean. Or stroll through a thriving arts district, enjoy a show at a historic playhouse and experience a neighborhood street party with local artists and musicians.

Situated 35 miles east of Orlando on the Atlantic coast of Florida, the Space Coast is chock full of natural beauty and culture that will keep you inspired year-round.

Consider this: The Space Coast has more than 250 miles of protected sanctuaries, 100 parks and 72 miles of coastline. That’s why the area is home to endangered species such

as southern bald eagles and West Indian manatees.

Begin your outdoor journey at Honest John’s Fish Camp, which was established as a government homestead in 1887. Rent a kayak or boat, stock up on bait and cruise into the Indian River Lagoon, where sea trout, redfish and snook abound. In between bites, look for manatees and dolphins.

Once you’ve caught a fish worthy of a tale, head to the 140,000-acre Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Titusville to see how many of the 330 bird species you can spot or how many of the 1,045 plant species you can identify.

For a “wild” night, grab a Cheetahlicious cocktail at Brevard Zoo’s Safari Under the Stars on April 27. Check out the new cheetah exhibit, participate in an auction and dine outdoors.

In the center of the Space Coast lies a cultural hot spot, the historic city of Melbourne. Home to art galleries and antiques shops, restaurants and cafes, this city also serves up many festivals and events.

Spend a day popping into art studios and shops in the Eau Gallie Arts District, or EGAD! Finish your trip in picturesque Cocoa Village. Stroll over to The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, a former silent movie theater, and enjoy a ballet or musical. “The SpongeBob Musical” opens in May.

Whether soaking in the arts or the sun, the Space Coast is a premier destination on Florida’s east coast. 

Left: The Cape Canaveral Lighthouse towers over the keeper’s residence.

Below: The “Giant Leap Forward” mural honors Cape Canaveral’s history of space flight.

Clockwise from top right: Guests feed a giraffe at the Brevard Zoo; a family enjoys the sand at Cocoa Beach; a group of kayakers floats through the Brevard Zoo.

Photos courtesy of Meagan Happel, Visit Space Coast

SVEC on tour

This February, Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative sponsored six students from our area to visit the state capital for the Florida Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. Before leaving for Tallahassee, the students had the chance to ride in a bucket truck and tour SVEC’s campus to learn about the cooperative. While at the capital, they learned about Florida’s legislative process, spoke with a member of the House of Representatives and

THIS YEAR’S SVEC PARTICIPANTS WERE:

T

olby Terry

Branford High School

Alyssa Jones

Lafayette High School

Madison King

Lafayette High School

Zane Carter

Hamilton County High School

Sebastian Tordsen

Hamilton County High School

Whitton Musgrove

Suwannee High School

participated in mock bill sessions in the House and Senate chambers.

This year’s students also joined a campus tour of Florida State University and discussed college options with FSU and Tallahassee Community College staff. Two of these students will be selected to represent our cooperative at the National Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C., this summer. 

Alyssa Jones, of Lafayette High School, addresses her fellow Youth Tour participants.

Youth Tour attendees visited both the House and Senate chambers in Tallahassee.

Students harness up for a ride in a SVEC bucket truck. PHOTOS BY CHRISTY TUCKEY

Clockwise from top left, Sebastian Tordsen, Tolby Terry, Zane Carter, Whitton Musgrove, Madison King and Alyssa Jones take a photo on the steps of Florida’s historic Capitol Building.