“Happy New year everyone”, I know you’re thinking what the heck she’s a month behind but since I’m writing this in January, I feel I can still say it! I hope 2026 treats everyone well. I also want to thank all of you for making last year a good one in our appliance department. For being a small-town appliance store we have something a lot of the big stores don’t have. We have appliances in stock ready to go! If you come in and purchase an appliance, you can take it with you that day. That doesn’t mean that we will have everything that you are looking for in stock, but we have a pretty good variety. And of course, what we don’t have I can order.

Did you know that North Itasca Electric is one of the only co-ops in the state that still sells appliances! We are, and you will have to trust me when I say, “it isn’t because we make money on the appliance department,” because we don’t! The main reason we still have the appliances is for you, our members. We feel it is important to be able to offer appliances here because it is a benefit to our members not to have to drive a long way to purchase an appliance, and it’s a benefit to be able to finance it through the Co-op. and pay it along with your electric bill.

We have been doing some brainstorming recently on how to hold people more accountable when it comes to their contracts. Nothing is in writing just yet, but I want to let you know that there are some changes coming, and I will let you know as soon as it is all finalized. I get it that sometimes money is tight. Let me know upfront if you are struggling and need an appliance. And I will do what I can to help you.  

There are some programs to help if you meet the guidelines. The income eligible program is there to help people who don’t qualify for a contract and can’t afford to buy a necessary appliance outright. However, there are stipulations on what you can buy through the program.