News > New Operations Center and Headquarters Opens Aug. 19

New Operations Center and Headquarters Opens Aug. 19

August 8, 2025

Stearns Electric Association is proud to announce the opening of its new operations center and headquarters in Melrose on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.

Beginning Aug. 19, all Melrose business operations will take place at the new facility, located at 700 Kraft Drive SE, Melrose. Until that time, members, vendors and visitors should continue conducting business at the current location, 900 Kraft Drive SE, Melrose, or make an appointment at the St. Joseph branch office.

Stearns Electric outgrew nearly every space in its current facility, which was built in 1970. The new facility is located on the same property Stearns Electric already owns, directly to the west of the current building.

The new 89,000 square foot building is designed to support the growing needs of the Cooperative. Key features include larger garages, an enhanced mechanic shop, and additional storage for essential material and equipment like poles, wires, transformers and meters. Office spaces were also thoughtfully designed to promote efficiency, collaboration and a productive work environment for employees.

To celebrate this milestone, Stearns Electric will host an Open House for members and the local community on Wednesday, October 1, 2025 from 12-2 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.

Stearns Electric operates both its headquarters in Melrose and a branch office in St. Joseph. The St. Joseph branch office will be unaffected by this transition. Both facilities are essential to reliably serve the Cooperative’s membership. The Cooperative serves over 29,000 members in six counties: Stearns, Todd, Morrison, Kandiyohi, Pope and Douglas.

Fun fact: Aug. 19, 2025 is exactly one year after the first concrete panel was delivered to and installed on the construction site of the new operations center and headquarters.

For more information about the new facility, visit stearnselectric.org/Melrose-facility.