Podcast Shortened Transcript – Conversation with CEO/General Manager Adam Tromblay
This month, we’re talking with Adam Tromblay, General Manager of Nobles Cooperative Electric, who is sharing updates on what’s happening at the cooperative.
Q: Adam, we moved into the new Slayton office last May. How is the new space working for you and the employees?
Adam: It’s been a wonderful move. Honestly, we didn’t realize what we were missing until we made the transition. From a technology standpoint, it’s made a big difference — especially with how often we connect with others across the country through Zoom and Teams. Our daily work is much more efficient.
It’s also really nice to welcome members into a new space and show that we’re investing in the community and continuing to move forward.
Q: What do you like most about the new building?
Adam: It just feels like home. We have beautiful photos on the walls, and it reflects who we are. We’re a close-knit group, and the layout makes it easy to connect with everyone. I really enjoy that.
Q: Is there anything you would have done differently in the design?
Adam: Not much. Maybe I’d adjust the size of one or two rooms, but overall I’m very happy with how it turned out. When you think back to sketching ideas on paper and compare that to where we are now, it’s pretty amazing. We also borrowed a lot of great ideas from other cooperatives — which is exactly how cooperatives work. We share ideas and learn from each other.
Worthington Office & Daycare Plans
Q: The former Worthington office was originally planned as a daycare. What happened with that project?
Adam: It’s a little disappointing that it didn’t move forward, but the third-party partner we were working with ultimately went in a different direction. Tracey and I continued working on permitting and design, but when that partner changed course, we respected their decision. We don’t want to compete with a community daycare — we want to support one.
The good news is that they appear to have a strong plan of their own, and if they move forward, it may be an even better fit for the community.
Q: What about the grant and sponsorship funding that had been secured?
Adam: Those funds were returned to the county or declined. The grant was shared with a similar project in Rushmore, and that funding should now support that effort. So while our project didn’t move forward, new daycare spots should still be created in the region.
Q: What is the Worthington building being used for now?
Adam: We’ve leased the space to Geronimo Power, our partner in the Powered Land data center project. They’ve done a great job updating the space — new paint, new carpet — and importantly, it wasn’t done using member dollars.
Having a building occupied is good for its long-term condition, and it worked out well to have a partner we’re working closely with in a space we already own.
Geronimo Power & the Data Center Project
Q: What is Nobles Cooperative Electric’s partnership with Geronimo Power?
Adam: They approached us because data centers use a significant amount of electricity, and we are the electric provider in the Reading area. They also have a strong renewable energy portfolio and were looking for a cooperative partner.
After several months of vetting, discussions with Great River Energy, and conversations with others who have worked with them, we determined they would be a good partner.
Their role is to package everything needed for a future data center — power, land, permits, water — to eventually market the site to a hyperscaler, such as Microsoft, Google, or Apple.
From my perspective, the biggest benefits are for our members. This project provides long-term rate stability and infrastructure improvement opportunities. With a large, steady load, we can spread fixed costs across billions of kilowatt-hours, helping slow the pace of future rate increases.
It also creates additional margin that the Board can use to improve infrastructure — whether that’s undergrounding lines, shortening spans, or making other reliability upgrades — benefiting all members.
Q: Why was this area chosen for a project like this?
Adam: Several reasons. We have a strong reputation as a cooperative, and Great River Energy has a strong reputation in renewable energy. We also have a 345 kV transmission line running through our service territory, and we have significant generation capacity in the area — some of which can’t always be used due to transmission constraints.
Locating a data center here allows more of that renewable energy to be used locally, which benefits everyone. While data centers have traditionally been built closer to metro areas, the renewable energy available here is a major draw, especially for customers focused on sustainability.
Cooperative Operations & System Improvements
Q: What might members be surprised to learn about how the cooperative operates?
Adam: How efficient we try to be. We’re very careful with spending and always ask, “Is this something our members would support?” It’s their cooperative and their money. As a not-for-profit, member-owned utility, accountability matters.
Q: In 2026, about $4 million will be invested in system improvements. Is that typical?
Adam: We work on four-year plans, and this is the first year of the new one. It is more than we’ve spent in the past — normally closer to $3 million — but equipment, materials, and labor costs have increased significantly since COVID. Even with higher spending, we’ll be doing slightly less work due to those increased costs.
Our previous work plan focused heavily on substations. This cycle shifts more attention back to lines, poles, and wires.
Q: How do you determine which areas need improvement?
Adam: It’s a year-long process involving our engineering firm, outage data, and direct input from linemen who work on the system every day. We look at outage history, equipment age, growth trends, voltage levels, and overall system performance. The four-year plan also allows flexibility if priorities change.
Looking Ahead & Cooperative Values
Q: What has been the most rewarding part of your role this past year?
Adam: The data center project and our community-focused efforts. The reward isn’t immediate, but the long-term benefits could last decades. Big projects like this don’t come easy, but the potential impact makes it worthwhile.
I also love seeing how the new building has brought the team closer together. We truly have an incredible group of employees.
Q: As we approach the cooperative’s 90th anniversary, how does that history influence your work?
Adam: Ninety years is a long time. I’ve heard stories from neighbors about when electricity first came to rural homes and how life-changing it was. Today, we often take electricity for granted, but it’s an incredibly complex system.
The cooperative model is special. We’re here to be efficient, reliable, and responsive to what our members want. Members elect the Board, the Board sets direction, and we carry that out. Balancing cost and reliability isn’t easy, but that shared decision-making is what makes cooperatives work — and it’s why this model has lasted 90 years.
Q: Any final thoughts for members?
Adam: If you have questions, please ask. Whether it’s about solar, wind, data centers, or how the cooperative operates — our doors are open. You own this cooperative, and we want you to be engaged and informed. Communication matters, and we’re here to listen.
Host: Thank you for your time, Adam.
Adam: You’re welcome.