Lenoir, North Carolina Oct 26, 2026 (1:18 PM)

Blue Ridge Energy Foundation Grants Awarded in Alleghany County

(l-r): John Evans (Blue Ridge Energy district manager); Bryan Edwards (Blue Ridge Energy Board of Directors); Terry Edwards and Heather Andrews ( both from Blue Ridge Developmental Day); Lee Sudia (Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.); and Board of Directors Johnny Wishon and Mitch Franklin

Grants awarded by the Blue Ridge Energy Members Foundation will support local community projects focused on economic and community development, health and wellness, education and youth programs, and other initiatives that enhance quality of life throughout our communities.

In Alleghany County, citizens will benefit from two grants worth $15,000 awarded recently for the 2026 grant cycle.

The grants are examples of why Blue Ridge Energy established the Members Foundation in 2007 to support the work of community organizations providing services vital to the quality of life for the cooperative’s members. Since then, the Foundation has awarded over $2.1 million in community grants.

Local Alleghany County agencies receiving grant awards include:

Blue Ridge Developmental Day - a $7,500 grant will be used to fund implementation of North Carolina’s new early childhood quality standards through the adoption of the Experience Curriculum and a required child assessment system. Grant funds will provide curriculum materials, assessment tools, teacher supports, and technology needed to enhance educational quality, track child development, and ensure high-quality early learning experiences for enrolled children.
Glade Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. - a $7,500 grant will be used to support the purchase of a large diameter (5-inch) supply hose to be used at waterpoints and delivery sites to make water supply efforts 4 to 6 times more effective. The equipment will enhance the department’s capabilities by increasing its ability to move water from water supply areas and load tanker trucks for transport to fire scenes.

A grand total of $120,000 was awarded to 27 organizations across the Blue Ridge Energy service area for the 2026 grant cycle. In 2026, the Foundation also provided crisis energy bill assistance to over 760 Blue Ridge Energy members and customers who needed emergency help paying their electric and fuel bills.

Funding for Foundation grants and crisis assistance comes from members participating in Blue Ridge Energy’s Operation Round Up^® and Operation Round Up Plus^® programs and an annual contribution from profits of the cooperative’s subsidiaries, Blue Ridge Energy, LLC, and RidgeLink, LLC. Over 23,500 members are either rounding up their monthly electric bill with Operation Round Up or adding a dollar or more with Operation Round Up Plus. Members also contribute by donating some or all of their annual capital credits.

Anyone with questions about the Foundation or agencies interested in applying for grants may contact Tasha Rountree, director of community relations and economic development, at 828-759-8994 or trountree@blueridgeenergy.com.

Blue Ridge Energy is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 80,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and parts of Wilkes, Avery, and Alexander counties. It also includes a propane heating fuels subsidiary and a business-to-business telecommunications subsidiary. Learn more at www.BlueRidgeEnergy.com.

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