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Historical Facts and Figures

Capital Electric Cooperative, Inc. was incorporated in 1945 by a group of farmers who had the vision of bringing electricity to the rural areas around Bismarck.

The co-op has employed only six managers:

Clark Crawford (1946-1949)
Raymond G. Harens (1949-1951)
Albert B. Johnson (1951-1955)
Ray Shoff (1956-1964)
O.S. Soma (1964-1983)
Ordean "Lars" Nygren (1983-present)

The co-op has held three office locations in Bismarck:

Leased a building at 2200 Main Ave. from 1947 to 1955
Built a new building at 722 Airport Rd. for $35,300 back in 1955
Built the current headquarters building at 4111 State St. in 1971
Headquarters expansion and new service center were completed in 2007

The number of meters served has steadily increased:

1947: 500 meters
1955: 1,600 meters
1965: 2,000 meters
1975: 4,000 meters
1985: 6,000 meters
1995: 8,000 meters
2008: 14,000 meters
2011: 16,000 meters

The number of kilowatt hours sold has increased dramatically:

1950: 1 million
1955: 5 million
1965: 10 million
1975: 55 million
1985: 90 million
1995: 120 million
2008: 246 million
2011: 285 million

Interesting Capital Electric facts:

The $5 membership fee charged to new customers in 1946 remains the same today.

Capital Electric currently has almost $82 million invested in plant and equipment to serve its member-owners.