Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative (LMRE) is excited to announce plans to build a new headquarters in Spencer, Ohio, at the Spencer Industrial Park, located on Spencer Road (State Route 301) on land already owned by LMRE. This announcement comes after years of discussions by the board of trustees and cooperative management to come up with a long-term solution that takes into consideration the future growth and needs of the cooperative. Plans include a meeting space that members will be able to utilize and added convenience for bill pay drop off.

“For several years now, the LMRE board and management have known the building was in disrepair and needed work. To their credit, they began looking at what it would take to replace or repair the building long ago,” said General Manager Ed VanHoose. “I am happy to announce, due to their foresight I don’t anticipate any negative impact on our rate structures as we move toward replacing the headquarters.”

The board of trustees, along with cooperative management and construction advisors on the project, considered all options before deciding to relocate LMRE to Spencer Industrial Park. These options included the possibility of purchasing property along the cooperative's current West Road location, major renovations to the existing building, and building a new facility on the vacant industrial park land that the cooperative has owned for years. 

“After weighing all of our options, the board has decided that the most cost-effective way to meet our members’ future needs is to build a new facility,” said LMRE Board President John Eaton. “Due to the numerous gas lines in the area of the current headquarters, we were unable to find a lot suitable for our current needs, and therefore the board decided to move the headquarters to Spencer.” 

LMRE is planning to break ground sometime in the spring of 2020. The existing location in Wellington will remain operational until the new facility is built. Plans remain in the early design phase for the new site, but more information will be provided to members and the public as it becomes available.