Lovdahl Electric LLC
After graduating from Bigfork High School, Josh Lovdahl was uncertain about a career choice.
He enrolled in the electrical construction program at Hibbing Community College (now Minnesota North, Hibbing) and found he had made the right decision. Electrical work was something he really enjoyed.
This year he and his wife Maddie started Lovdahl Electric based in Effie, serving residential, farm and commercial customers. His work has taken him throughout north central Minnesota from a multi-site job upgrading lighting for an auto parts chain to wiring a local horse barn. Effie is centrally located, he laughs; within an hour and a half to about any job in the region.
It’s not a quick transition to your own business in the industry. Lovdahl worked five years as an apprentice and then journeyman with Hubbard Electric in Becker before achieving his master electrician certification which allowed him to work independently.
Setting up your own business is challenging: Lovdahl credits Hubbard Electric with supporting him – especially on the business end – and has found other area electricians to be very helpful as well as his father-in-law, who has his own business as an electrical contractor.
Maddie takes care of the bookwork; an ideal situation, said Josh. It allows her to stay home with their young boys, Wells and Kane, and gives Josh more time in the field.
Outside of work the couple also share an interest in archery and hunting, and have two golden retrievers.
It’s an interesting time for the industry. Lovdahl does get questions on solar and wind installations, particularly for cabin use. The northern Minnesota climate presents unique challenges, Lovdahl believes, both in maintaining temperatures for associated battery storage, getting enough sunlight and finding the right spot for wind applications.
Josh and Maddie are happy to be back in the Effie area, and their company is already growing with two employees. They are looking forward to a strong market for electricians in the future.
Josh Lovdahl can be reached at (218) 398-2203 or josh@lov-elec.com.
