Barry Electric Cooperative has announced the groundbreaking of a significant office expansion project, adding over 5,000 square feet to its headquarters.

The ceremony took place Oct. 14, marking a major milestone in the Cooperative’s continued growth and commitment to serving its members.

The Board of Directors approved the expansion in July 2025 following extended and thorough deliberation, addressing both the need for additional office space and persistent roof problems that require replacement after multiple unsuccessful repairs.

“The board looked at several different options to solve the space concerns of the cooperative,’ said Dr. David Cupps, board president. ‘In addition to the need for more space, the current roof is in sad shape and needs to be replaced. A roof replacement project was going to be very expensive, which led us to look at doing roof replacement and office expansion at the same time. This decision was not made lightly — it followed months of thoughtful discussion and planning.”

Hambey Construction, known locally for its recent work with Freedom Bank in Cassville, will lead the construction of the new addition. This marks Barry Electric’s first office expansion since the building’s 1996 construction, when it had only 24 employees. The original building was dedicated on Oct. 13, 1997.

Today, BEC’s workforce has grown to 48 employees, driven largely by the success of its goBEC Fiber Network, which launched in 2015. As of September, Barry Electric Cooperative serves 5,856 fiber customers, representing nearly 70% take rate among eligible locations within its electric service territory.

“This expansion will serve a wide variety of needs for our team,” said Jennifer McBroom, General Manager of Barry Electric Cooperative. “With the growth of our fiber services and staff, we’ve simply outgrown our current space. This new addition will allow us to better serve our members and provide a more functional and comfortable environment for our employees.”

The new office expansion will feature several enhancements designed to support both members and employees. Among the additions are a payment kiosk accessible from outside for convenient member transactions, expanded office space, and a conference room. The facility will also include two multi-station workrooms, a spacious training room for employee development and events, a dedicated wellness room, and four additional bathrooms, one of which will be equipped with a shower.

Barry Electric Cooperative remains steadfast in its commitment to innovation, exemplary service and community engagement, a Cooperative press release said. The office expansion is a reflection of that commitment and a step forward in continuing to meet the needs of its membership.