The City of Slayton officially closed today on the acquisition of the natural gas utility system formerly operated by Northwest Natural Gas (NWG), marking a major milestone for the community and the future of local utility service.
The acquisition was initiated through discussions brought forward by Northwest Natural Gas and represents a mutually beneficial agreement between the City and NWG. Under the agreement, Northwest Natural Gas will continue to provide maintenance, operations, billing, and wholesale fuel transportation services for Slayton Municipal Gas, ensuring continuity and operational expertise as the transition moves forward.
“This is an exciting and historic day for Slayton,” said Josh Malchow, Clerk/Administrator for the City of Slayton. “This acquisition has been a collaborative effort from the very beginning and would not have been possible without the strong working relationship between the City and Northwest Natural Gas. The agreement allows the City to locally own this important utility asset while continuing to benefit from NWG’s operational experience and service expertise.”
Mayor Miron Carney said the partnership structure provides long-term benefits for the community while maintaining stability for customers.
“This arrangement is truly a win-win for both the City and Northwest Natural Gas,” said Mayor Carney. “Local ownership gives our community greater control over future infrastructure and economic development opportunities, while the continued partnership with NWG ensures residents and businesses will continue receiving reliable, highquality service from an experienced provider.”
Northwest Natural Gas CEO Rachel Sorrentino said the agreement reflects the strong relationship between the company and the Slayton community.
“Northwest Natural Gas is proud to have served Slayton for many years, and we are pleased to complete this transition in partnership with the City,” said Sorrentino. “This acquisition creates a structure that benefits both organizations and, most importantly, the customers we serve. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Slayton Municipal Gas by providing ongoing operational, maintenance, billing, and transportation services to support reliable natural gas delivery for the community.”
With the acquisition now complete, the previous moratorium on new natural gas hookups has been lifted. Residents and businesses interested in connecting to natural gas service should contact Northwest Natural Gas at 507-524-4103 or customerservice@ nwngas.com to begin the hookup process. Officials note that installation timelines may vary due to demand and transition-related work, and customers are asked for patience as requests are processed.
For additional information, please contact: City of Slayton Josh Malchow, Clerk/Administrator (507) 836-8534 cityadmin@slayton.govoffice. com
