On July 22, High Country Energy and Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPS) held a picnic to celebrate four months of working together to build 150 megawatts of community wind in Dodge County. The weather could not have been better at the Oaks Country Club on Tuesday evening. The atmosphere, like the weather, was warm and inviting. With no speeches or programming scheduled, the picnic was an excellent opportunity for WPS representatives, High Country board members, National Wind developers, and local landowners to informally chat about the project and get to know one another better.

About fifty landowners made it out to the picnic. Many had already signed with High Country Energy, but a fair number had not yet signed and were interested in learning more about the project.

“It was great to see some unsigned folks there,” said Dana Christie, Advisory Board Member. “The picnic felt like a genuine community gathering, and I think that represents our company and our model of development well. “

About ten representatives from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation flew or drove down from Green Bay to attend the picnic. Landowners and board members alike were encouraged to see WPS’s commitment to project and to the community model. As work with WPS will continue to increase in the coming months, the picnic was a perfect occasion for High Country members and WPS representatives to form personal relationships with each other. These relationships are sure to be valuable as the partnership with WPS moves forward.

Read more stories from the Fall 2008 newsletter