Otter Tail Power Company Celebrates 110 Years Of Serving Communities

April showers bring May flowers? Deep snow and high winds during this month’s snow storm caused extended outages in the east central part of Otter Tail Power Company’s South Dakota service area, as well as shorter outages in other communities the company serves. Despite difficult weather conditions, once crews could arrive on site they did what company crews have been doing for 110 years—safely and efficiently delivering power.

Since 1909 Otter Tail Power Company has touched the lives of customers by providing reliable electricity and energy services. The company served its first customer—Northern Light Electric Company of Wahpeton, North Dakota—in April 1909. It now provides electricity to more than 132,500 customers in 422 communities.

“We’re proud of our 110 years serving our friends and neighbors,” said Otter Tail Power Company President Tim Rogelstad. “And we’ll continue to provide a reliable, cost-effective, and increasingly clean combination of resources to meet our customers’ energy needs.”

Otter Tail Power Company’s Dayton Hollow hydroelectric plant went on line in April 1909 and served the company’s first customer, the Northern Light Electric Company, in Wahpeton, North Dakota

Commitment to customers
Whether it’s restoring power after a storm, supporting local community organizations, continuing efforts to keep rates among the lowest in the country, or providing customers ways to save energy through programs and rebates, company employees remain focused on customers. “We’ll continue to partner with our communities to help ensure they are great places to live, work, and play,” said Rogelstad. “The energy industry is changing, and we’re excited for the opportunities those changes bring for us and our customers.”

Photo caption: Service Representative Bernie Marshall (right) talks with Winger, Minnesota, Mayor Darrell Olson.