Southwest Public Power District Celebrates 80 Years of Service and Innovation

The Southwest Public Power District (SWPPD) utility company recently celebrated its 80th anniversary with an Open House at its headquarters in Palisade last Thursday. Despite the rain, the event attracted a good turnout of customers for the lunchtime celebration. SWPPD was established at the Southwest Membership Corporation on March 21, 1945. Its first meeting took place in Benkelman, in a side office of the Zorn Theatre building. In 1953, the decision was made to transition from a membership cooperative to a public power district. The utility moved into its new building in Palisade in the early 1950s. Among those attending the Open House was Robert McBride, who served as Dundy County Sheriff from 2006 to 2011. Interestingly, McBride was born on March 20, 1945, just one day before SWPPD was founded. He grew up on his family’s farm between Wauneta and Benkelman and recalled when the electric utility reached their farm when he was just five years old. Colin Suda, SWPPD’s current General Manager, shared a story about a winter storm in November 1948 that severely affected the area, taking down approximately 29 power poles. “By today’s standards, that would be a big deal, but back then it took a few months to repair,” Suda explained. McBride added that his father spoke about digging hogs out of snowbanks where they had been buried for two weeks but were still alive. “Things have changed a lot over the years,” Suda remarked. According to him, a longtime customer recalled when Southwest came to build the line, and farmers would bring their equipment to assist. “Eight to ten people would show up to help. Can you imagine building a new line in northern Chase County and only two people showing up?” Suda shook his head. “Please don’t. That was a whole different world.” Technology and equipment have advanced significantly over the years. Suda mentioned that not long ago, customers would read their own meters and send those readings to the utility along with their payment. Today, electric meters have evolved to automatically send a message to the utility milliseconds before a power outage occurs. “The last thing the meter does before it goes out is send us a warning. We know the power is out before the customers do,” said Suda. However, he emphasized that they still appreciate customers contacting them in case of an outage, as this helps identify the cause. Despite the advancements in meters, utility workers still need to investigate the cause of outages and make repairs. In 2005, SWPPD published a book about its history. Colin’s father, Don Suda, was the General Manager at that time. In the book, Don Suda wrote, “The lives of all of us have been immeasurably changed as Southwest Public Power District has entered our lives as a quiet servant, ready to perform for the common good of the community— not dictating direction, but working to meet the needs of customers as time marches forward. Always there when you need us, providing power for changing times, is not just a tagline or a motto; with the employees, it is a way of life.” His words still ring true today.