“As the song goes, “School’s out for summer!” That means our IBEW/NECA partners are using the summer break to improve education facilities throughout the region.  In the Dunklin R-5 District in Jefferson County, two Electrical Connection contractors and their IBEW workforce are engaged in several projects funded by a $13.5 million voter-approved bond issue.  Metropolitan Electric is part of the Brockmiller Construction team making Senn Thomas and Pevely Elementary more safe and secure.  Both are getting new entrances with advanced technology for secure monitoring. The project will be completed in time for classes to resume in August.  Meanwhile, Warren County Electric is part of the ICS Construction Services team building a second gymnasium and a facilities building on the Herculaneum High School campus.  The new gym will include seating for 780 spectators and a walking track built above and around the basketball court, providing additional space for sports and PE programs. The school is currently served by one gym built in 1964. The facilities building will house the technology and maintenance offices, along with a garage-type space for repairing maintenance equipment and a carport large enough for four vehicles. Both projects are slated for completion in 2025.  Learn more about the projects unfolding in the Dunklin R-5 School District.”

IBEW Local 1’s Matt Gremminger performing electrical installations in the Dunklin R-5 School District.

Among the reasons many start their careers at the IBEW/NECA Electrical Industry Training Center is its evolving curriculum that meets the demands of cutting-edge technology.  That includes a growing number of renewable energy projects.  NECA contractor Guarantee Electrical announced it is part of the team slated to build “the next community solar array in collaboration with Azimuth Energy and Ameren Missouri.” Guarantee noted “We're dedicated to expanding clean energy for Ameren's customers, and we can't wait to see the positive impact this will have on our community!” See the Fox 2 story on the New Florence, Mo. solar array.

Guarantee also earned honors as one of the fastest growing companies by the St. Louis Business Journal.  The business publication noted that Guarantee grew its revenues 95.52% from 2021 to 2023 when it reported revenues of $379.7 million.  See the rankings.