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