In an effort to make good use of idle funds left abandoned by former members of La Plata Electric Association as unclaimed Capital Credits, the cooperative’s board of directors has awarded 20 new Educational/Special Project Grants totaling $150,000 to non-profit organizations in its service territory.
In La Plata County:
Alternative Horizons: $3,900, program supportAnimas Alano Club: $15,000, capital campaign/matching fundsAnimas Museum: $20,000, building upgrades/hvac systemCommunity Treehouse: $4,000, security enhancementsELHI Community Center: $4,000, emergency communicationsFort Lewis Mesa Fire District: $17,500, renovations/building upgradesLa Plata Family Centers Coalition: $3,650, program supportPine River Shares: $4,500, equipment upgrade/trailerSacred Heart Church: $10,000, facility upgrade/code complianceSouthwest Heath Alliance/Local First: $8,000, health care needs assessmentThe Garden Project of Southwest Colorado: $5,000, urban garden constructionWildfire Adaptive Partnership: $5,000, program supportServing both Archuleta and La Plata Counties:
Southwest Center for Independence: $6,225, ride share/transportation programsDisabled American Veterans Chapter 48: $6,225, vehicle purchase/matching fundsCapital Credits are LPEA’s margins or revenues remaining after all expenses have been paid. Annually, the electricity payments made by members in excess of the cost to provide their electric service is placed into a patronage capital account in each member’s name. When the cooperative is able, Capital Credits are returned to members. The dollars become “unclaimed” after three years, when LPEA cannot locate members deserving of the refund. The board has determined that these unclaimed funds should be invested in the community and thus established the Educational/Special Project Grants program.
