La Plata Electric Association has awarded more than $150,000 in grants to nonprofits in La Plata and Archuleta counties.
The funds come from capital credits unclaimed by former consumer-members of La Plata Electric Association.
Capital credits are revenue 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.
LPEA’s board of directors has awarded 17 new grants to nonprofits in its service territory.
In Archuleta County grants went to :
Justice Ministries, $12,295, for tiny house construction and financial education.Pagosa Peak Open School, $25,000, for its capital campaign.Rise Above Violence, $12,000, for office renovation and program support.Region 8 Skills USA, $4,000, for student education.In La Plata County grants went to:
Boys & Girls Club, $8,468, for technology upgrades and student programs.
Community Health Action Coalition, $4,000, for its Community Program Initiative.
Community Foundation Serving Southwest Colorado, $5,000, for computer upgrades.
Durango Adult Education Center ,$6,100, for General Educational Development and English as a second language programs.
Habitat for Humanity, $6,500, for Americans with Disabilities Act home construction.Manna soup kitchen, $19,920, for its Child Backpack Food Program.Fort Lewis College Environmental Center, $6,500, for a climate change symposium.Housing Solutions of the Southwest, $5,000, Community Emergency Assistance Coalition funding.iAM Music, $5,217, for musical equipment and program expansion.La Plata Youth Services, $5,000, for truancy remediation.Mercy Health Foundation, $10,000, for a vascular machine.Trails 2000, $5,000, for trail maintenance.Fort Lewis Mesa and Sunnyside elementary schools branch libraries, $10,000 for operations.
