Facility Project Timeline

New Operations Center and Headquarters Facility Timeline:

2025

October 1, 2025: Open House
September 17, 2025: The first event, the Member Engagement Group, is hosted at the New Operations Center and Headquarters.
August 20, 2025: The last employee moves from 900 Kraft Drive SE to the new facility.
August 19, 2025: New Operations Center and Headquarters officially opens for business.
August 16, 2025: The leasing site goes live for 900 Kraft Drive SE.
August 4, 2025: The first employee moves into New Operations Center and Headquarters facility.
July 25, 2025: Landscaping completed.
July 21, 2025: Stearns Electric took occupancy of new facility.
July 18, 2025: Parking striping competed in the warehouse.
July 18, 2025: Successful transfer of data center from 900 Kraft Dr. SE to new facility.
June 27, 2025: Asphalt paving.
June 23, 2025: Furniture delivered.
May 19, 2025: First concrete pour.
May 12, 2025: Power Washer installed.
May 2025: Exterior security lights installed (13 total) and carpet installation began.
April 17, 2025: First casework delivery.
April 8, 2025: HVAC units delivered. There are 12 units total.
April 3, 2025: Construction progress video premieres at Annual Meeting.
March 19, 2025: Sheetrock installation complete.
March 18, 2025: Tile installation began.
February 19, 2025: Interior paint began.
January 13, 2025: Sheetrock installation began.

December 24, 2024: Office wall framing complete.
November 18, 2024: Roof installation complete.
September 6, 2024: Final precast panel installed.
August 19, 2024: First precast panel arrived.
July 25, 2024: Board members voted to proceed forward with leasing the existing headquarters facility property when it becomes vacant in the fall of 2025.
May 23, 2024: Open House for members.
May 6, 2024: Groundbreaking.
April 4, 2024: New facility announced at 87^th Annual Meeting.
April 2, 2024: Board approves construction of the new facility.
March 21, 2024: Bidding closes – 127 bids for the project.
March 5, 2024: Bidding opens
February 2024: Construction management interviews conducted; W. Gohman selected as construction manager.
February 2024: Board members approve the location of a new facility directly to the West of the current headquarters on land already owned by the Cooperative.

2021: Board members approved partnership with GLTArchitects on a building pre-design process.

2019: Cooperative’s Board started exploring facility options, including adding on to the existing facility.
- Unfortunately, Board members discovered very quickly that Stearns Electric was completely landlocked on the east side of our current headquarters location, which is not only where our mechanic shop, fleet area and warehouse are located, but also where the utilities are connected into the building.
- Though the Board explored a large addition and a redesign of the current facility to accommodate the proper warehouse and fleet area needed to house the large vehicles and equipment, the cost to complete an addition was very expensive and only provided a band-aid fix to our long-term needs.
2019-2021: Discussion begins for new headquarters as part of Stearns Electric’s Strategic Plan.