Grant Recipients Announced for Black Rock Wind Farm’s Annual Community Benefit Funds
Local board selects recipients for Black Rock Wind Farm’s $51,000 grant distribution, including volunteer fire departments and local educational programs
Keyser, WV – July 17, 2025 – The US Wind Force Foundation, Inc. has announced the local grant recipients for the Community Benefit Fund sponsored by the Black Rock Wind Farm, which is owned and operated by Clearway Energy. Thirteen grants ranging from $600 to $13,700, totaling over $51,000, were allocated to local non-profit organizations.
The Black Rock Allocation Committee recently met and reviewed 30 applications for the 2025 grant cycle. Mineral County resident Keri Whitacre chaired the committee. “Leading this group to allocate funding to local organizations serving our area has been extremely rewarding. A sincere thank you to Clearway Energy and Laurel Renewable Partners for giving back to our communities.”
The 2025 grant recipients are as follows:
| Organization | Grant Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Aging & Family Services of Mineral Co | $600 | Benches around the walking trail at the Keyser Senior Center |
| City of Petersburg | $2,266 | One-meter diving stand for the 12-foot diving board |
| City of Petersburg | $930 | Two shade sails for the South Side Depot Visitor Information Center |
| Compelled to Change | $1,431 | Funding of educational and leadership trip to Dollywood |
| Developmental Center & Workshop, Inc | $2,330 | Dust collector to remove dust from the air in the woodshop |
| Elk District Volunteer Co | $3,000 | New helipad |
| Fountain Volunteer Fire Co | $5,128 | Rope rescue equipment and lights |
| Kitzmiller Volunteer Fire Dept | $1,685 | TS500I Stihl Cutquik saw |
| New Creek Volunteer Fire Dept, Inc | $3,000 | Construction of a pavilion |
| Powder Keg Outreach Inc | $13,700 | Construction of a classroom facility |
| South Side Studios WV | $7,000 | Installation of a new staircase |
| Town of Elk Garden | $5,000 | Weatherproof concrete ramp into the garage |
| Tri-Towns Fire Co 1 Inc | $5,000 | Repairs to the fire station |
| TOTAL | $51,071 |
The Directors and Officers of the US Wind Force Foundation extend a special appreciation to the members of the Allocation Committee: Keri Whitacre, Chair; Randy Crane, Vice-Chair; Dana Carr, Kristi Evans, Carla Kaposy, Tony Stutts, Suzanne Park Lewis, and John Lecky. Their service to the Foundation and their community is critical to the grant review process on an annual basis. Members meet at Clearway’s Black Rock Wind Operations and Maintenance building to review each application received for the year.
Black Rock Wind voluntarily committed to donate $133,214 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 support the community,” said Doug Vance, Clearway’s site manager at Black Rock and Pinnacle Wind. “We are grateful for the time commitment each organization and allocation committee member put forth to collaboratively move Grant, Mineral, and surrounding communities forward through important local community projects.”
About US Wind Force Foundation, Inc.
US Wind Force Foundation, Inc., a West Virginia nonprofit corporation, is organized exclusively for charitable purposes. Its primary purpose is to enhance the community by funding projects related to education, historic preservation, public safety, economic development, public recreation, parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, and other similar activities. It will provide funding to select not-for-profit community organizations, and communities, consistent with its charter. To learn more about the US Wind Force Foundation, Inc., visit the website www.uswff.org.