Victory Electric has been powering the moments that matter since the cooperative was founded in June 1945. The energy industry and our co-op have experienced many changes over the past 80 years, but we are just as committed to our member-owners today as we were in the early days of electrification in rural Kansas.
Electrical technology has become much more sophisticated and efficient over the years. Keeping up to date with the evolving needs of our industry and the challenges of providing energy today has become more costly and complicated. The U.S. electrical grid will need new and upgraded transmission infrastructure in order to meet rapidly growing demand for electricity. 
Reliable, affordable electricity has never been more important. Our local perspective helps us focus on innovative solutions that will meet our region’s energy needs, now and in the future, while considering our member-owners’ and community’s best interests. 
One of the ways we do that is by researching and applying for grants. Taking advantage of grant opportunities enables us to forego long term debt and the interest expense associated with it. Ultimately, that helps the cooperative save money and keep rates down for our members. 

Strengthening Cybersecurity
In October 2024, Victory Electric was selected as a Phase 1 winner of a Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Program grant. The grant included $50,000 plus 200 hours of expert help to kickstart several critical cybersecurity initiatives.
With the help of consultants, we analyzed our existing cybersecurity environment and created a cybersecurity roadmap to strengthen our defensive efforts. Everything from small tweaks to big changes will help us tackle the most devastating vulnerabilities known to be used by cybercriminals.
As we implement a full-blown cybersecurity framework at Victory, we will focus on staying compliant, working more efficiently, responding better to security incidents, and having a solid plan for business continuity. Just as we work to keep our employees safe and educate community members about electrical safety, our trustees and senior management have been working together to prioritize the protection of our members' and employees' data. We have a three-year timeline to implement these system improvements. To make it happen, we've created a new job focused solely on driving these important cybersecurity initiatives forward.
We have also applied for Phase 2 of the RMUC grant. The winners will be announced later this year, and if we're selected, we'll receive another $100,000 plus additional consulting assistance.

Focusing on Community
Anything and everything we do at Victory Electric is member focused, whether it's investing in the reliability of our power grid, ensuring that the lights come on whenever members flip a switch, or insulating the co-op from market fluctuations. Victory Electric’s board and leadership team are committed to keeping costs as low as possible for our member-owners without sacrificing reliability or safety.
Giving back to our members is important to Victory Electric and part of the cooperative difference. Hosting community events, offering tools to improve our members’ service experience, and returning capital credits to member-owners are only a few of the ways we do that.
Victory Electric hosted member appreciation events in 2024 in locations throughout our service area to connect with the individuals and communities we serve and express our gratitude, and we will continue hosting these events in 2025. Connecting personally with our member-owners enables our trustees and employees to better serve your needs. Victory also partners with local groups on economic development projects, and many of our employees serve on area boards and committees and are actively involved in improving their communities. 
Victory Electric will continue to power the moments that matter as we meet the challenges and opportunities that will come from rapidly expanding demand for electricity and the critical need for new transmission. We appreciate the role our member-owners have had in our success for the past 80 years and look forward to serving you in the years to come.