Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Corporation (AVECC) has been awarded $18 million by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to bolster its grid infrastructure and enhance affordable, clean energy delivery to Oklahoma and Arkansas River Valley communities. The funding, part of the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, will support AVECC’s “Beyond AMI to True Grid Intelligence with Distributed Automation” project, focusing on smart grid technology implementation.

This significant investment comes at a crucial time, as extreme weather events increasingly strain the nation’s aging power grid. 

AVECC CEO Al Simpson underscored the cooperative’s dedication to grid resiliency and modernization. Since initiating its Smart Grid project in 2018 by launching AVECC’s fiber subsidiary, Wave Rural Connect, AVECC has laid the groundwork by integrating fiber optic communications into its electrical system. This new funding will accelerate the cooperative’s goal of providing its members safe, reliable, and affordable power.   

The GRIP program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and administered by the DOE’s Grid Deployment Office, aims to improve grid flexibility and resilience against extreme weather threats. By leveraging federal and private investments, the program supports communities in building reliable grids capable of withstanding severe weather while promoting affordable, clean energy and fostering local economic growth and job creation.   

AVECC’s project will implement cutting-edge smart grid technologies to enhance the efficiency, reliability, and flexibility of its distribution grid. 

AVECC System Engineer Samantha Renard explained that new funding will create a next-generation metering platform. This platform will enhance data collection and analysis, incorporate improvements to breakers and regulators, and ultimately result in a more reliable and efficient grid.

This improved system will have tangible benefits for AVECC members. Renard explained that by “getting real data in,” the cooperative can “actually take that data and determine what’s going on in the field.” These advancements allow AVECC to proactively address outages “without having to wait for a phone call,” leading to faster isolation and resolution of issues, ultimately providing “a more reliable system to hopefully keep the lights on.”

Chris Howe, AVECC Engineering Manager, clarified that the data collected is not invasive. He explained that the information is in two parts. “One part involves gaining visibility on the grid of our devices, such as regulators and reclosers, to understand system loading and balancing better. The other part focuses on providing members with more of their own information. The new metering platform will offer members greater insight into their energy usage, moving beyond the current “one-hour intervals” to provide more granular data.”

 Investing in the “Beyond AMI Grid Intelligence with Distributed Automation” project will benefit AVECC’s members while strengthening the nation’s power grid.

Two high-speed internet expansion projects worth $4.8 million were launched Tuesday afternoon in the town of Slick in Creek County by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and ecoLINK fiber services.  

The projects, funded through $2.9 million in federal grants administered by the OBO coupled with $1.9 million in matching funds from ecoLINK, a subsidiary of East Central Electric Coop, will connect 265 homes and businesses in Creek County with broadband internet using fiber optic technology. The awards from ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) were made earlier this year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board. 

Tuesday’s event illustrates the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans. In Creek County, six separate SLFRF grants were awarded to five internet service providers (ISPs) to connect 1,602 locations with broadband service. The grant awards total $9.8 million and will be boosted by $22.4 million in matching funds provided by the companies. 

Joined by state legislators, county officials and staff of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, Broadband Governing Board Chair Jim Meek, Broadband Office Executive Director Mike Sanders and ecoLINK/East Central Electric Chief Executive Officer Tim Smith broke ground in Slick, a town of about 150 people southwest of Tulsa.

“Bringing high-speed internet service to Slick illustrates the exact purpose of our efforts and marks a pivotal step in bridging the digital divide for rural Oklahoma,” said Dr. Jim Meek, chair of the state’s Broadband Governing Board. “This work will not only enhance connectivity but also empower the local community with new opportunities for progress and development.”

“Expanding broadband access in Slick and throughout rural Oklahoma will unlock new opportunities for education, healthcare, and business, fostering growth and innovation,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders. “This investment ensures that every resident can get connected and thrive in the modern digital age.”

“This project is similar to when the co-ops first brought electricity to rural homes and farms. It made such a difference in the lives of those who had been overlooked or refused service,” said Tim Smith, Chief Executive Officer of East Central Electric. “Now, over 85 years later, we are able to provide another valuable service to households across our territory thanks to the help of the Oklahoma Broadband Office.”

When completed, ARPA-SLFRF-awarded grant projects will result in some 50,000 homes and businesses statewide being served with affordable and reliable high-speed internet. But the growth of broadband access across Oklahoma is just beginning. 

ISPs are currently competing in the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), which has $159 million available for infrastructure projects. Some 150 competitive proposals have been submitted by nearly 40 different companies.

Following CPF, ISPs will compete for more than $750 million in additional grant funds through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

With tens of thousands of locations to be served through OBO administered programs, the office is on pace to complete its mission of achieving statewide coverage.

Watch a recap of the day’s groundbreaking here!

Four projects totaling $27.7 million for high-speed internet expansion were officially

launched Wednesday morning near Vinita by the Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) and BOLT Fiber, a subsidiary of Northeast Rural Services, Inc., a division of Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative (NOEC).

The projects, funded through $22.1 million in federal grants administered by the OBO coupled with $5.6 million in matching funds from BOLT Fiber, will connect 2,984 homes and businesses with broadband internet using fiber optic technology. The award from ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) was made earlier this year by the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board.

Wednesday’s event is but one example of the progress being made statewide to get high-speed internet access to all Oklahomans. BOLT Fiber projects are scheduled in Delaware, Craig, Mayes, and Ottawa counties.

OBO and BOLT Fiber officials, along with local legislators and municipal officials attended the event in Craig County.

“Today’s launch is more than just the laying of fiber – it’s the foundation for opportunity, growth, and connectivity in every corner of Oklahoma. With each mile of broadband we expand, we’re not just bridging a digital divide, we’re empowering our communities for a brighter, more prosperous future,” said OBO Executive Director Mike Sanders.

“There are many individuals and entities to thank for this achievement,” remarked BOLT Fiber CEO and NOEC General Manager Daniel Webster. “Significant effort was made behind the scenes to secure this important funding and we are thankful for all who helped make it happen.”

Added Webster: “The potential now exists for thousands more living here in northeast Oklahoma to access high-speed broadband internet. Many who have been waiting patiently for fiber-based services won’t be waiting much longer. This project will ensure the continued growth of our communities by helping solidify future employment and educational opportunities.”

ARPA-SLFRF-awarded grant projects will result in some 50,000 homes and businesses statewide being served with affordable and reliable high-speed internet. But the growth of broadband access across Oklahoma is just beginning.

Late last month, the Governing Board gave tentative approval to more than $158 million in ARPA Capital Projects Fund grants to 12 internet service providers for 50 projects in 28 counties.

Now, ISPs are competing for more than $750 million in additional grant funds through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

With tens of thousands of locations to be served through OBO administered programs, the office is on pace to complete its mission of achieving statewide coverage.

Decades ago, quality of life in rural Oklahoma and rural America blossomed with first-time access to electricity. Rural electric cooperatives energized sparsely populated communities bringing vitality and prosperity.

Today’s generations in rural America meet a different challenge: they need reliable access to broadband to foster that same vitality and prosperity in the communities they call home. Once again, electric cooperatives rise up to meet a vital need, delivering high-speed broadband to the unserved and underserved.

Collectively, 10 distribution electric cooperatives with fiber subsidiaries maintain more than 22,000 miles of fiber line, serving more than 127,500 households and impacting quality of life for more than 318,750 Oklahomans.
These cooperatives have banded together to form the Cooperative Broadband Coalition (CBC) to advance the mission of rural broadband and to collectively represent the interests of those they serve. 

The CBC is an independent organization that is affiliated with the statewide association, the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives (OAEC), which is voluntarily supported by 30 member-systems: 27 distribution electric cooperatives and three generation and transmission electric cooperatives.
“Electric cooperatives exist to serve their member-owners,” said Chris Meyers, OAEC general manager. “This is an extraordinary display of ‘Concern for Community,’ one of the seven cooperative guiding principles. This essential service brings a significant positive impact to rural areas.”

The electric cooperative business model is based on member ownership and the delivery of a service that benefits all members. While conditions are unique for every electric cooperative, the co-ops that have been able to form a fiber subsidiary were able to do so based on accessibility of grants and other favorable economic conditions. A few other electric cooperatives are actively pursuing the formation of a fiber subsidiary while others partner with existing providers, when feasible, to extend service to their rural membership. 
This is what we call the cooperative difference.

CVEC Fiber proudly announces that it has reached a significant milestone of 10,000 subscribers. This achievement underscores our commitment to providing reliable, high-speed internet access to the rural communities we serve, which follow the cooperative model.
When the fiber build was first initiated in 2021, a six-year timeline for completion was projected. However, due to the support of outstanding partners and the unwavering dedication of the team, we are on track to finish ahead of schedule.

“We are thrilled to have reached this important milestone, which reflects the growing demand for high-speed internet services,” says Sheila Allgood, General Manager, CVEC Fiber. “Our goal is to complete our on-system build by the end of 2025, allowing even more residents and businesses to experience the benefits of reliable internet connectivity.”

Construction is nearing completion in Phase 3, with splicing crews wrapping up the last few feeders. Phase 4 is approximately 25% complete, and we are on track to finish all construction by mid-2025. Splicers will continue working beyond that to bring all feeders online, with full activation anticipated by the end of 2025.

CVEC Fiber remains dedicated to bridging the digital divide and looks forward to bringing the benefits of high-speed internet to even more residents in the coming phases of this transformative project. For information on CVEC Fiber availability, packages, and pricing, call 405-382-3680 or visit cvecfiber.com. 

About CVEC Fiber
CVEC Fiber is a leading provider of high-speed fiber-optic internet and advanced communication services, dedicated to enhancing the connectivity and well-being of its customers and the rural communities they serve. Their commitment to delivering exceptional services and innovative solutions has garnered them recognition in the electric and broadband industry and beyond. CVEC Fiber is a subsidiary of Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative.