NMPP Energy awarded the City of Fort Morgan, Colo., with a Project of the Year Award for its Bijou Subdivision Utility Infrastructure Project at its Annual Conference in Lincoln, Neb., March 19.
The award is presented annually to honor a project or program in an NMPP Energy member community that creates a more cohesive community, whether it is a project created for the entire community or one that makes it easier for city staff and employees to serve their customers.
The City of Fort Morgan is a member of two NMPP Energy organizations: The National Public Gas Agency (wholesale natural gas supplier) and Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska (wholesale electric supplier).
The project included providing gas, electric and fiber infrastructure to serve the new Bijou community housing project, the largest residential subdivision in the City in more than 30 years.
The City worked in close partnership with the subdivision developer in installing the infrastructure in an efficient and timely manner, which minimized costs and maintained coordination at the local level. The City began work in late 2023 and completed the project in the third quarter of 2024. As of late February, nine houses were under construction with 95 residential total houses proposed for the first phase of the project.
The project is a great example of the ways municipal-owned utilities can streamline projects and adapt on the fly, saving time and money for both the city and developer.
Along with recognition at NMPP Energy’s Annual Conference, the City received $200, which will be donated to a community project or program of its choice.