CVE breaks ground on new headquarters

ARTESIA — Central Valley Electric Cooperative’s Board of Trustees has approved the construction of a new headquarters building.
The new building is being constructed on CVE’s existing property just south of its current location on North 13th Street. CVE awarded a contract to Jaynes Corporation of Albuquerque to build the roughly 33,500-square-foot building. Construction should be completed in October 2013.
The decision to build a new facility was made after a facilities review and planning process that took into account the compliance with current codes and laws, work efficiencies and costs and benefits of new construction and/or renovation of existing facilities. … For the rest of the story, subscribe in print and on the web.
The current facility was built in 1957 for a staff of 25 employees and has served the co-op well over the years. Now, with 80 employees, the building has exceeded its useful life. Ultimately, the new building will be much more energy efficient and cost effective to operate while offering enhanced services for members.
“Making the decision to build a new headquarters facility was not an easy decision,” CVE General Manager Chuck Pinson said. “Our board and management considered the need for additional space to house our employees, the current and future changes in technology and regulations, and the need to protect our employees and the cooperative’s assets in light of the fact that our current facility is obsolete.
“Ultimately, we felt we would never be in a better position than now to undergo this much-needed project.”