In 2024, we partnered with Morrow County to expand our natural gas service supporting the I71/SR61 interchange. We finished construction and testing at the end of 2025, and the pipeline is now complete.
Consolidated brought natural gas to the I71/SR61 interchange decades ago, but demand from recent growth in the area pushed our existing pipeline to the limits of what it could deliver. This location needed significant additional capacity to continue supporting projects that will enhance quality of life and bring jobs to the area.
“As we continue to keep our targeted areas of growth in mind, I am encouraged to work with companies, like Consolidated Cooperative and to be able to think outside the box on how we can meet the current and future needs of our community,” said Jamie Brucker, Morrow County Director of Operations.
As a not-for-profit cooperative, we had not expanded because we did not want our current members to bear the risk of the investment. Morrow County stepped up as a partner because the anticipated business growth stands to create numerous economic benefits for the entire county and surrounding areas.
Expanding our natural gas service in this area will allow new businesses and organizations to build in our communities, bringing in jobs and enhancing the local economy. Through our partnership, we will be able to pay back the cost of the pipeline as funds come in from the members the pipeline will serve. In addition, these new members will also increase the amount of natural gas we purchase, helping us get better bulk rates over time.
“As Morrow County’s local, not-for-profit cooperative, we are proud of our nearly 90-year commitment to working alongside so many others who continue to strive to make our communities places where we can all prosper.” Shared Consolidated President and CEO, Phil Caskey. “This project is yet another shining example of the great work we all can do when we work together.”
We are confident that Consolidated members and Morrow County will see a significant return on this investment over time – both through financial income and through community and economic enrichment. We have already had multiple businesses express interest in building in the area, and we are excited to have the capacity to meet the needs of new projects.
Brad Ebersole, Consolidated Community and Government Relations Director; Phil Caskey, Consolidated President/CEO; Morrow County Commissioners: Tim Abraham, Tim Siegfried, and Jon Mason; Jamie L. Brucker, Morrow County Director of Operations; Jack Cramer, Consolidated Gas Operations Manager (former); Chance Stepp, Consolidated Gas Operations Manager (current).
