This will be the last issue of South Carolina Living for the year and I want to use my column to review the many things that happened during 2024. Of course, we can't think about the year without focusing on Hurricane Helene. It was a storm event unlike anything we have ever experienced, and its effects will linger for years. However, many positive things will also mark this year.

I'll start by noting that, according to the latest report, it has been almost 500 days since out workforce last experienced a lost-time accident. When you consider the nature of our work combined with the number of miles our employees drive daily, this is to be celebrated. Safety continues to be number one at the co-op, and I commend everybody for this impressive record of working safely.

Next, I want to pay tribute to the continuing progress of Upcountry Fiber business is seeing. Last month, crews connected service to 622 new internet customers. Those additions took the number of locations now on our fiber network to well beyond 20,000! More of that kind of growth is awaiting us in our future, and, in any number of ways, that's positive news for Blue Ridge.

This year we established our first Days of Giving Campaign. Employees were given the opportunity to give monetarily to one or more charities of their choice. A total of $82,000 has been raised through this campaign. Assisting local charities and causes reinforces our commitment to the communities we call home. I honestly believe this corner of our state would be a poorer place if Blue Ridge were not a part of it. With good reason, many folks around here recognize the unselfish character of our organization. 

Finally, I'm excited to be a witness to the ongoing growth in the number of members locating on the Blue Ridge system. We're adding new members on a more-than-steady basis. I'm just glad that, simultaneously, substantial additions are being made to our system. Along with the strengthening of the transmission line that serves our Mountain Rest substation, we've seen the new Westminster, Dr. Johns, and the Exit 27 substations all come on line in the last two years. More of our existing Oconee substations are presently being rebuilt to be powered by an extensive network of new transmission lines. Several other substations will be completed soon to add to our capacity to deliver reliable service. This co-op is moving in a very good direction.

We are proud to be your cooperative. As the holiday season approaches, we will once again usher in Christmas with the lighting of the Blue Ridge Christmas tree on the front lawn of the Pickens office. We invite you to join us at 5:15 p.m. on November 26 for this co-op tradition.

We wish you all the blessings this season brings. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas from all of us at Blue Ridge Co-op.

Jim Lovinggood

President and CEO