I am thrilled to announce the start of site work and construction of a new office and operations center in Freeport. This project marks the final piece in a decade-long construction plan designed to enhance our service delivery to all of our members.

Members living in and around Freeport are currently utilizing our satellite office located in Freeport’s City Hall. While we are grateful for the partnership with Mayor Barley and the city staff, the area’s expansive growth must be met with more than we can currently provide out of that shared space.

Unlike our current Freeport facility, outfitted with only Member Service Representatives, the new office will have space for dedicated Operations staff, including Line Technicians who respond to outages around the clock.

This facility represents more than just a building; it’s a symbol of our commitment to better serving our growing community. Situated on a 14.4-acre parcel, the new facility will house a 28,700 square foot main building, a 10,000 square foot storage facility and approximately 8 acres of improved surface for equipment laydown, such as transformers and poles. 

One key benefit of this location will be its ability to significantly reduce response times for power outages. Currently, our staff travels from our Operations Center in DeFuniak Springs to respond to outages throughout our service territory. With this new office, dedicated crews will be closer to key areas like Santa Rosa Beach and Bluewater Bay, allowing for a quicker and more efficient service.

The foresight to purchase this land back in 2015, well before the area experienced its current wave of residential and commercial growth, highlights the strategic planning of your CHELCO Board of Trustees. They recognized the potential of Freeport and the surrounding areas and understood that to serve our members best, we would need a dedicated office and operations center in this region. Their vision and proactive approach have paved the way for us to meet the evolving needs of our membership.

As many of you know, the completion date for construction can often be a moving target due to supply availability and Mother Nature. That being said, we currently anticipate opening the doors sometime in the fourth quarter of 2025. 

As we embark on this exciting project, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our members for their unwavering support. This new facility is a testament to our commitment to not only keeping pace with growth but also setting the standard for excellence in service and efficiency. We look forward to sharing more updates as construction progresses and to the positive impact this new facility will bring to our service area.

Thank you for being a valued member of CHELCO. Together, we are building a brighter, more connected future for our community.