Continuing its strong commitment to communities, Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. today (8/7) awarded $3 million in grants to 83 community development projects across its 29-county service area.
PP&L is supporting 83 nonprofit agencies, organizations and municipalities through its Community Partnership Program for 1997. The program, now in its third year, has provided $8.4 million to address urgent community development needs.
"The success of our business is linked directly to the strength of the communities we serve," said Frank A. Long, PP&L executive vice president and chief operating officer.
"From its founding, PP&L has supported projects to create jobs, help businesses grow and improve the quality of life. The Community Partnership Program represents one of the many ways PP&L is delivering on its promises to the people and communities of eastern and central Pennsylvania today," he added.
Funding for the grant program is not included in the price PP&L customers pay for electricity service.
Long said the program is an investment in legitimate needs that have been identified by community leaders.
The return on that investment comes in the form of stronger and more stable neighborhoods, new jobs, more home ownership opportunities, increased property values, greater local tax revenue and lower crime rates.
An evaluation conducted earlier this year by an independent social research firm found that during the first year of the Community Partnership Program (1995), every PP&L grant dollar spent produced more than $20 in economic and social benefits.
The program also enables PP&L to work in partnership with individuals and agencies that are effective at getting things done and willing to work as a force for positive change in the community.
"Economic and social benefits from the Community Partnership Program have been even greater than we envisioned when we created the program," Long said. "Our initial commitment was for three years. Because of the program's success, PP&L is pleased to announce that it will continue in 1998 with $3 million in funding."
Although major changes are on the horizon for Pennsylvania electric utilities, including customer choice and increased competition, PP&L remains committed to community- and customer-support programs.
"As we've grown from a regional electric utility to an international energy company, we've kept our focus on the people and the places that made us what we are," Long said. "We will continue to support outreach programs that meet important community and customer needs."