Vauxhall partners with Ridge Utilities
Vauxhall council has passed a motion to allow residents a new option when selecting their natural gas, electric, or Internet utility company as Ridge Utilities Ltd. enters the market.
During the April 16 town council meeting, Scott Donselaar, CAO for the Village of Stirling and president of Ridge Utilities, presented the opportunity for the town to become a marketing partner with Ridge Utilities.
“Trevor Lewington, our mayor, and myself were out in Vauxhall probably last month and we spoke with your CAO (Cris Burns), and we spoke with Margaret (Plumtree, councillor) about Ridge Utilities being an opportunity because we’re an energy marketing company. There’s a possibility of Vauxhall to come forward with some residual income,” said Donselaar. “What we like to do is look at the Town of Vauxhall as a member for our marketing association program.”
The municipally controlled corporation of Ridge Utilities was founded in Stirling as a retailer of natural gas, electric, and Internet.
“We retail natural gas, electricity, and Internet services that are provided by Utilitynet as a company. So, we service residential, commercial, and agricultural industries.”
Donselaar discussed what the Town of Vauxhall would be responsible for as a marketing partner and what they would receive in return if they moved forward.
“Our basic ask is that we get added to your business directory. If you have directors for utility information, the community newsletter, any sort of relevant sections to help us build our customer base,” said Donselaar. “Enable your frontline staff to be aware that we exist and that we are able to provide these services to Albertans, because it is always nice to have your money going somewhere local as opposed to New Jersey, where Direct Energy is based out of.”
In return the Town of Vauxhall will receive a portion of revenue from their resident’s utility bill when signed up with Ridge Utilities Ltd. For the first year, Vauxhall will receive 35 per cent of the revenue, 25 per cent in the second year, and then 15 per cent in the third year and every year after.
“The marketing association program this is going to be is a unique opportunity for the Town of Vauxhall to create some residual income,” said Donselaar. “What we offered is not the ability to get into the same area that we are in the energy space and be able to do it at zero cost and zero risk to the Town of Vauxhall. So, all you end up doing is signing an agreement and all of the backing and supports are provided for you.”