JUNE 2024
THE MESSENGER A Publication for North Arkansas Electric Cooperative Members
STEM in action
North Arkansas Electric Cooperative senior systems engineer Kevin Reese, far left, gives Pinkston Middle School students a tour of the co-op’s 1 MW solar array near Salem on May 15. The students also learned about electric vehicles and charging.
Bank drafts to be processed on 14th NAEC appreciates members who are enrolled in bank draft. Beginning in June, the co-op will begin drafting bank draft participants' electric bills on the 14th of each month rather than the 10th. If the 14th falls on a weekend or holiday, NAEC will draft on the previous business day. The co-op is making this change to processing payments on the due date based on feedback from members. All members can enroll in automatic bank draft. The free service ensures the electric bill is paid on time each month and eliminates the cost of a stamp, a lobby visit or trip through the drive-thru lane. Bank draft is an electronic transfer from a member’s checking or savings account to NAEC’s each month. The member will continue to receive an itemized statement of the bill unless he or she prefers E-Bill notifications only. To enroll in bank draft, please call (870) 895-3221 or visit an NAEC office during regular business hours. Members also may request more information at info@naeci.com.
Scott Hamby, NEXT chief operating officer, and Cortney Varner, NEXT director of marketing and business development, present Karen Bachman, NEXT’s 20,000th subscriber, with free 100 Mbps fiber internet service for life.
NEXT serving 20,000 subscribers North Arkansas Electric Cooperative’s fiber subsidiary NEXT, Powered by NAEC reached a milestone in May by connecting its 20,000th subscriber. In celebration, NEXT is giving that subscriber – new Horseshoe Bend resident Karen Bachman – free 100 Mbps fiber internet service for life. “This milestone has been a long time coming, and we are thrilled to be able to offer this promotion and celebrate the growth of NEXT,” said Scott Hamby, NEXT chief operating officer. NEXT connected its first subscriber in December 2016 as part of a pilot project. More than seven years later, approximately 60% of NAEC members use NEXT services, which include high-speed internet, television and phone. Those interested in subscribing may visit an NAEC office to speak with a NEXT customer service representative, go to mynextfiber.com or call (870) 895-3221.