Social impact
We consider it a privilege to serve as an integral partner to our customers and communities, delivering safe and reliable energy to over 1.35 million businesses, and families across our expansive eight-state service territory. Our over 2,800 employees work as one team, devoted to making a positive impact on the lives of our customers and in the communities we call home.
Culture and belonging
We're committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the strength and character of the communities we serve, united by our shared commitment to improving life with energy. We appreciate that every team member brings distinct skills, talents, experiences and perspectives that strengthen our organization. Guided by our core value of respect, we strive to build a culture of belonging. This means every team member can bring their authentic self to work and are empowered to reach their full potential while contributing to business outcomes that positively impact our stakeholders.
We invest in our employees’ development and well-being through a variety of programs designed to support both personal and professional growth:
- Mentoring circles: These peer-led small group sessions connect employees across departments to share insights, build relationships, and support career development.
- Book clubs: Facilitated by employees or Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), these clubs explore topics ranging from leadership and innovation to communication and resilience.
- Tuition assistance: Employees can receive financial support to pursue degrees that align with their career
goals and our business. - College partnership program: This initiative allows employees to earn degrees at an accelerated pace and/or discounted tuition through partnerships with qualifying universities.
- Encouraging participation in our employee resource groups (ERGS). Our ERGs are employee-led and encourage connection and belonging while also providing education and outreach across the organization. Our ERGs are open to all employees and currently include:
- Analytics in Action, a resource group for current and aspiring data and analytics processionals
- Aspire, a women's resource group
- EDGE, a resource group for racially/ethnically diverse employees
- New Connections, a resource group for new employees within their first year of service
- Project Management Interest Group, a resource group for current and aspiring project management professionals
- Veterans Engagement Team (VET), a resource group for military personnel and veterans
Community and economic impact
Serving over 1.35 million natural gas and electric utility customers in 800+ communities across eight states, our direct economic impact included charitable giving, compensation for over 2,800 employees, franchise fees, payments to suppliers, and property, sales and use taxes paid to our communities.
Employee involvement
Each year, our employees generously share their time and talents to support community organizations and nonprofits across our service territory. This support includes personal contributions to United Way through monthly payroll donations and one-time gifts. In 2024, 28% of our workforce participated in the company’s annual United Way campaign, contributing at least their Fair Share (one hour of pay per month) for a total of $441,000. Employees also gave $73,711 to Black Hills Cares, our energy assistance program. In addition, employees volunteered over 16,000 hours of their time, including nonprofit board service, mentoring to students in STEM education, coaching youth sports teams, and countless service projects.
Ambassador program
The Ambassador program is a corporate initiative that began in 2008, providing more than 100 employees opportunities to serve and lead. Ambassadors serve as positive representatives of our company in both internal and external settings, connecting people with concepts and information on a personal and relevant level, the essence of a grassroots program. Ambassadors are nominated and selected to serve two-year terms that involve volunteering, coordinating initiatives at a local level and participating in key events. Ambassadors live in every state in our service territory and help represent Black Hills Energy in community engagement.
Community engagement
In addition to volunteerism by both our ambassadors and employees, we also regularly engage with our customers and communities. Our Public Affairs team leads this engagement and is embedded within each state of our service area. Multiple tools are used for engagement, both formal and informal, including citizen advisory councils, community technician programs, periodic surveys of elected officials and direct community outreach.
Our safety culture
Safety is one of our company values, a top priority in all we do and deeply embedded in our company culture. This requires persistent, daily attention in everything we do. Every meeting of three or more employees begins with a safety share, a practice that contributes to keeping safety in mind. In 2024, our Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Total Incident Case Rate (incidents per 200,000 hours worked) was 1.83 and Days Away Restricted Time (DART) was 1.0.
Employee safety and wellness
Our Preventable Motor Vehicle Incident Rate (vehicle accidents per 1,000,000 miles driven) was 1.27 in 2024, a top-quartile achievement among AGA utility peers. We are also leading the way in the industry by encouraging employees to report injuries within one day, achieving reporting timeliness 20% above the utility average.
Employee safety training
Our safety training is delivered through in-person instructor led and online learning management system that tracks completion status and completion dates. Training occurs throughout the year, frequently driven by required regulations and assessed needs. All safety training is provided at no cost to our employees and may be completed during working hours. All online safety training is available in several languages.
Safety in our communities
Our commitment to safety extends further than just the customers we serve — it’s a commitment for our employees, customers and communities. That includes educating everyone in our communities about the importance of calling or clicking 811 before digging. From contractors running excavation equipment, to families planting a new garden. Calling 811 before any digging project — big or small — can help prevent damages to underground utilities, which in turn prevents service interruptions, injuries and fatalities.
Reducing excavation damages
Reducing excavation damage has been a key focus during the past several years, and together we’ve made great improvements. We’ve reduced excavation damage in our communities by nearly 15% since 2020. Our efforts have included focusing on high-risk excavations, prioritizing hard-to-locate facilities and building stronger relationships and awareness with key stakeholders in our communities to positively encourage a safe digging culture.