Duck River Electric recently celebrated the completion of its new Center Grove Substation in Franklin County, a significant investment that strengthens electric reliability, increases capacity for future growth and reinforces the cooperative’s long-standing commitment to the communities it serves.

During a recent “Flip the Switch” celebration, DREMC representatives, electric industry partners and local community leaders highlighted the critical role infrastructure plays in supporting quality of life and economic development throughout the region.

The $6.3 million facility became operational earlier this year and is a major step in preparing the region for continued residential, commercial and industrial growth. With a capacity of 40 megawatts, the Center Grove Substation improves reliability for approximately 17,000 DREMC members in Franklin County, provides added support to Lynchburg through backfeed capability, and helps balance the system’s load by dividing DREMC’s largest member circuit.

DREMC Board Chairman Anthony Kimbrough reflected on the cooperative’s origins and the purpose behind investments such as the Center Grove Substation.

“Nearly 90 years ago, power lines stopped where the towns ended,” Kimbrough said.
“Neighbors in rural communities came together and made a promise that they were worth investing in. That promise is still at the heart of what we do today. While a substation may appear to be steel, transformers and breakers behind a fence, what it really represents is the people who depend on reliable electric service every day.”

DREMC President and CEO James Wright noted that the Center Grove project reflects the cooperative’s continued commitment to its nearly 88,000 members across the 17 southern Middle Tennessee counties that the cooperative serves.

“Infrastructure projects of this scale require years of planning and engineering,” Wright said. “Supply chain challenges and extended lead times are still a factor, with major equipment often taking months or years to manufacture and deliver. The Center Grove Substation’s power transformer, for example, was ordered in October 2023 and delivered nearly a year later at a cost of approximately $2.2 million.”

“Our community is experiencing exciting growth, with new families, businesses, and opportunities choosing to call our city home,” said Franklin County Mayor Chris Guess. “While growth is a sign of a strong and thriving community, it also brings new demands on the systems and services that support everyday life. Strategic investments in infrastructure today help create the foundation for future generations and ensure our community remains a great place to live, work and raise a family.”

Franklin County’s Industrial Development Board Director Pam Kreidenswis emphasized that infrastructure investments must occur well before new opportunities arrive, noting that companies evaluating expansion or relocation look closely at electric power, broadband, transportation, water and wastewater capacity.

Local farmer Philip Duncan has served on DREMC’s board of directors representing Franklin County since 1999. Having witnessed many changes in the electric industry, he emphasized the need to keep pace with community growth and rising demand for capacity.

The Center Grove Substation is part of a broader strategy to strengthen DREMC’s electric system. There are currently 30 distribution substations throughout its service territory, some of which were constructed more than 50 years ago. While ongoing maintenance and upgrades have extended the life of existing infrastructure, aging equipment and increasing demand require continued investment.

The Center Grove Substation follows the addition of the Santa Fe Substation in Maury County in 2020 and is one of several projects planned to support future growth. DREMC is currently planning another distribution substation in Spring Hill, with construction expected to begin in 2027. Cooperative engineers are also evaluating future infrastructure needs in Bedford, Marshall, Moore and Coffee counties.

“We are proud to partner with Duck River Electric on the Center Grove Substation,” said TVA Customer Relations Manager Chris Templeton. “This is an important investment in providing low-cost, safe, and reliable power to serve this community and Duck River members.”

“As a cooperative, our responsibility is to make decisions that serve our members not only today but well into the future,” Wright said. “Every infrastructure investment we make is focused on improving reliability, supporting growth and ensuring the communities we serve remain strong and sustainable for years to come.”

“Today’s Flip the Switch ceremony is more than about celebrating the completion of the Center Grove Substation,” said Wright. “We’re celebrating a promise kept.”