Wiregrass Electric's new Dothan office

Due to an ever increasing member base, WEC’s Board of Trustees approved a new Dothan office consisting of 6,000 square feet in order to better serve its members. Having outgrown its current office on Brannon Stand Road, the new building is being constructed adjacent to the substation on Fortner St. just past the intersection of Brannon Stand and Fortner.   

The number of members WEC serves has increased to over 22,000 in recent years and future growth projections estimate this trend will extend in this area for years to come.  “Electric cooperatives must grow as their membership increases. As more and more members build homes and businesses, Wiregrass Electric must add more poles, miles of power line, and additional equipment;” Michael S. McWaters, CEO, shares, “and as a result, must eventually add more space to serve those members.”

The cooperative will use a long term, low interest loan from Rural Utilities Services (RUS) to pay for the building project which will minimize the financial impact to members.

Completion of the project is expected in early 2009.

The official Groundbreaking was held on June 3, 2008. Read more.

Watch video of Dothan Office Groundbreaking

WDHN News report of Groundbreaking

Frequently Asked Questions

Q-Why is Wiregrass Electric Cooperative building a new Dothan office?

A- Due to the growth on our system and the increase in members utilizing the present office in Dothan, a larger facility was required to handle the growth.   The square footage of our present facility is too small to accomodate the members. 

Q-Why a new building? Why not keep what you have?

A-We’ve outgrown our current facility which Wiregrass Electric does not own.  The new facility is going to be a very cost effective building with work and energy efficiency built into the design.

Q-When did WEC’s Board of Trustees decide to build?

A- In July of 2007, the Board awarded the architect contract to Chuck Dunseth of Dunseth and Associaties of Dothan. In April of 2008, the Board accepted the low construction bid from Dunseth and Hughes of Dothan to construct the facility.  In planning for this facility, the Board examined our anticipated future needs, as well as alternate locations for the new headquarters.  After examination of future growth projections in our service territory, it was decided to locate the facility on Fortner near the present location.

Q-Where will the new facility be located?

A- On the tract of land adjacent to the Brannon Stand Substation on Fortner St. just past the intersection of Brannon Stand and Fortner.   

Q-How big will the building be?

A-It will be approximately 6,000 square-feet. The lobby will feature an appliance showroom for electrical appliances available for purchase from Cooperative Propane.

Q-Are the members’ rates going to be raised to pay for the new facility?

A- No, the cooperative will use a long term loan from Rural Utilities Services (RUS) to pay for the building.

Q-Isn’t this new construction going to drive up our cost of electricity?

A – The cost of the new building has been figured into the Cooperative's budget and the cost of the loan will be offset by depreciation over the long term.

Q-Does the project make good financial sense for the members?

A- Yes, this is a well planned, conceived and designed building that will be certified as an energy efficient building. The advantage of drive-through service and more efficient customer service makes this an excellent advantage for members in the Dothan area.

Q-Is now a good time to build when the generation fuel costs are so high?

A- Fuel costs are as low as they are ever going to be in the foreseeable future.  Unfortunately, local, regional and worldwide demand for energy all play in to increased energy costs. Energy consumption in China and India has increased dramatically recently. Those countries and others are demanding a bigger chunk of the world’s resources, putting a squeeze on coal and natural gas supplies and increasing costs. Environmental issues are also causing increased energy prices, which will be even higher if the government establishes renewable quotas.

Q-Will Wiregrass Electric hire extra people for the new building?

A-No, however, the call center will be relocated from the Hartford office to the Dothan office. The building is designed to handle projected growth over the next decade. 

Q-When will the new building be completed?

A-Current projections estimate the building will be completed in early 2009.

Construction Progress