Dakota Electric Association is offering area high school students a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., from June 13-19.
Each year, Dakota Electric sends five local students on the trip as part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association's annual Youth Tour. Activities include visiting with elected officials, touring monuments and learning more about cooperatives.
Students who are currently enrolled as juniors and seniors and are Dakota Electric members are eligible to apply. Applications are due Feb. 28.
Information and applications are available at www.dakotaelectric.com and in schools' counseling offices.
New president for builders' group
A Burnsville business owner was recently named president of the Builders Association of the Twin Cities (BATC).
Shawn Nelson, president and owner of New Spaces, a design/build remodeling firm, will serve in the position with the organization for the coming year. Nelson, the first second-generation BATC president, was sworn in last month by his father, Doug, who held the position in 2005.
BATC is a 1,100-member trade association for metro-area builders and remodelers. Under Nelson's leadership, the organization will focus on membership growth, advocacy work and strengthening its premier marketing brand, the Parade of Homes, with its twice-a-year new home and remodeled home tours in addition to a new Artisan Home tours launching in June.
Nelson grew up in the remodeling business working at New Spaces, his family's firm. He joined the business full time in 1997 and took charge of the firm after his parents retired.
