NHEC Members Approve Bylaw Amendments

PLYMOUTH, NH – Members of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (NHEC) have approved amendments to the Co-op’s bylaws that will provide its Board of Directors with flexibility to consider all options on how to ensure its members have access to high speed internet service.

By a vote of 8,853 YES to 1,158 NO, the proposed bylaw changes were approved by 88.4% of members voting, exceeding the two-thirds majority required for passage. These bylaw changes give NHEC the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to federal, state, and local funding opportunities. The changes will also allow NHEC’s Board of Directors to enter into strategic partnerships and evaluate the best organizational structure to meet the goal of ensuring members have access to the broadband service they need.

“The members and communities NHEC serves need access to affordable, reliable, high speed internet,” said Tom Mongeon, Chair of NHEC’s Board of Directors. “Passage of these bylaw changes will allow the Board of Directors to fully evaluate all options and make the best decisions for our members. The level of participation in this election is a demonstration of our members’ interest in NHEC moving forward on broadband and a sign of the Co-op’s health. Just as it brought electricity to rural New Hampshire 80 years ago, NHEC is well positioned to provide high speed internet to these same areas of our state.”

NHEC’s Board of Directors has been evaluating various business models and funding opportunities over the past several months. Passage of these bylaw changes supports those efforts and will allow NHEC to take advantage of emerging opportunities and partnerships. For all the latest NHEC broadband news, visit www.nhec.com/broadband.