Minnkota's Meyer to join NRECA International project in Guatemala

Minnkota lineworker Weston Meyer will be one of a dozen North Dakota lineworkers traveling to Central America this November to help bring electricity to a remote region of Guatemala.

Supported by NRECA International, a non-profit corporation established by NRECA in 1962, the mission will bring the lineworkers to the village of San Luis Palo Grande. They will spend at least two weeks building electric infrastructure for the community, including lines, transformers and house wiring.

Weston has never traveled outside of the country, and he says the NRECA International program sounded like an amazing opportunity.

“Once we got more information on how much of an impact getting power to these remote areas made, that pretty much sealed the deal,” he said, recounting the story of a local who was able to go to college and get her nursing degree because power was brought to her region. The time she saved milling corn with electricity instead of by hand allowed her to attend classes and study. “I'm looking forward to meeting the local people and seeing their reaction when we complete this section of the project and energize the line.”

Minnkota would like to thank Weston and the other co-op lineworkers from around the state for volunteering their time to make an impact on others. To learn more about NRECA International, visit nrecainternational.coop.

MAIN IMAGE: Minnkota lineworker Weston Meyer (third from right) will join a crew traveling to Guatemala to bring power to a remote village. (photo courtesy of NDAREC)