Austin, Minn. — Cooperative Response Center, Inc. (CRC) was recently featured on KSMQ Public Television’s Off 90 program, which shared the story of CRC’s beginnings in Austin, Minn., and its growth into a nationwide service partner for electric utilities.
The segment featured Brad Fjelsta, CRC’s president and CEO, who discussed the company’s origins following the 1991 Halloween ice storm and how a solution created to help cooperatives continue serving members during a time of need has evolved over the past 34 years.
CRC’s story began when 19 Midwest cooperatives came together to address a critical challenge: ensuring members could continue reaching their electric cooperatives when severe weather disrupted normal operations. What started as a regional solution in response to that need has grown into a nationwide organization with four locations serving nearly 600 members and associate members across the country.
“We are pleased to have CRC’s journey featured on Off 90 and to share how our cooperative roots continue to guide the work we do today,” said Fjelsta. “CRC was founded on the idea of helping electric utilities serve their members when they need support most, and that mission remains at the center of our work.”
The Off 90 program highlights arts, culture and history across southern Minnesota and is presented by KSMQ Public Television.
The CRC segment can be viewed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtKhKUk1gHk&t=531s
About CRC
Cooperative Response Center, Inc. (CRC) is a nationwide, cooperatively owned provider of 24/7 contact center and alarm monitoring services. CRC partners with electric cooperatives and other utility industry organizations to help them stay connected to the people they serve—day or night. Through customer care, outage call handling, dispatch services, billing support, emergency response coordination, alarm monitoring and related communication services, CRC provides dependable support when every call or alarm matters. By combining trained professionals, practical technology and a commitment to outstanding service, CRC helps its members serve their consumers reliably whenever support is needed.