Grant Recipients Announced for Black Rock Wind Farm’s Annual Community Benefit Fund

May 1, 2023

Keyser, West Virginia — The US Wind Force Foundation, Inc. today announced grant recipients of the second annual Community Benefit Fund sponsored by the Black Rock Wind Farm, which is owned and operated by Clearway Energy Group. Sixteen grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and totaling $59,571.43 were allocated to projects in Grant, Mineral, Garrett, and Allegany counties.

The Black Rock Allocation Committee recently met and reviewed more than two dozen applications for the 2023 grant cycle. Keri Whitacre, a Mineral County resident, chaired the committee. “It has been a pleasure working with all the members of the committee to allocate the grant funds and their diligence to the process is much appreciated. A sincere thank you to Clearway and Laurel Renewable Partners for giving back to our communities.”

The 2023 grant recipients are as follows:

Applicant Grant Amount Purpose
Antioch United Methodist Church $5,000 Fixtures and plumbing for handicapped restrooms
Barton Hose Company No 1 $3,271 Emergency equipment (lights, vests, cones, bags)
Burlington Vol Fire Dept $7,500 Vehicle rescue stabilization struts
City of Petersburg $3.500 Improvement of restroom facilities at Visitor Information Center
Developmental Center & Workshop, Inc $3,000 New flooring for three rooms and hall
Elk District Ambulance Service $5,000 Replacement of windows, door, trim
Elk Garden Primary School $5,000 Replacement lockers throughout the school
Fountain Vol Fire Co $2,000 Specialized equipment for the Special Operations Squad
Friends of Ashby’s Fort, Inc  $1,000 Railing and steps for Visitor Center rear patio
Friends of Jennings Randolph Lake, Inc $1,000 Construction of a carport for weather protection of equipment and firewood
Grant Co Commission $5,000 Construction of a pavilion on Virginia Ave for community events
Keyser-Mineral Co Public Library $4,000 Accessibility update to computer/DVD area
Kitzmiller Vol Fire Dept $1,300 Purchase of Sector 7 lights
Mineral Co Family  Resource Network  $3,500 Completion of electrical, insulation, and HVAC in CASA’s Closet
Mineral Co Parks and Recreation $4,500 Construction of a concession stand at soccer/softball complex at Larenim Park
New Creek Vol Fire Dept $5,000 Replacement of pavilion used for most community events
Total $59,571

 

The Directors and Officers of the US Wind Force Foundation extended a special appreciation to the members of the Allocation Committee: Keri Whitacre, Chair; Randy Crane, Vice-Chair, Michael Boggs, Dana Carr, Bill Dunithan, Kristi Evans, Carla Kaposy, and Tony Stutts. Their service to the Foundation and their community was a critical part of the grant review process.

Black Rock voluntarily committed to donating $133,214.29 to the Community Benefit Fund at the start of commercial operations in 2022 and $50,000 per year for the life of the project. “We are extremely pleased to be part of this community,” said Doug Vance, site manager with Clearway Energy Group. “It’s nice to know that we can be of help to such worthy initiatives and organizations that provide enrichment and critical services in the region.”