Further strengthening the partnership between PPL Montana and its communities, the company will create a philanthropic community fund — administered with input from residents throughout the state — to award grants to Montana organizations.
Under the direction of a statewide advisory board, PPL Montana will award $200,000 in 2005 in three major "quality of life" areas: education, environment and economic development. The board will be comprised of community, business and government representatives from throughout the state, as well as PPL Montana employees.
"We are absolutely committed to working with Montana communities to improve the quality of life for today and tomorrow," said Brad Spencer, vice president and chief operating officer of PPL Montana. "As a major corporation with 500 employees in Montana, this is part of our continuing work to be a good neighbor and a positive force in the state."
PPL Montana soon will be inviting Montana residents and community leaders to serve on the advisory board.
"There are debates about many issues in our state," said Spencer, "but everyone can agree that supporting education, economic development and the environment will help build a more vibrant Montana. We believe that Montana's best days are yet to come. And we believe that this community fund, strengthened by the advice of key statewide leaders, can play a role in making this belief reality."
It's envisioned that the grants — ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 — will improve the quality of education, enhance the environment and bring jobs and new tax revenues to Montana through improved economic development, Spencer said.
Community and environmental organizations with 501(c)(3) status, schools and school districts, community colleges, and universities are eligible to apply for grants.
"In addition to this fund, PPL will continue its support for United Way and will continue to make additional contributions in the communities where PPL Montana does business," Spencer said.
During its first five years in business in the state, PPL Montana has made significant financial contributions to worthy causes, including committing $23 million over a 10-year period for recreation, fisheries, water quality and wildlife habitat development in Montana along a 524-mile portion of the Madison-Missouri River corridor. Additionally, PPL Montana has contributed more than $200,000 annually to charitable organizations throughout the state. PPL Montana employs nearly 500 people with an annual payroll of about $31 million and pays nearly $19 million annually in state and local taxes and regulatory fees.
The PPL Montana Community Fund will have two grant cycles each year. Applications for the inaugural grant cycle will be due Feb. 28, 2005, with grants awarded in March and April. Applications for the second round will be due in June, with awards made in August. For more information about the fund or to apply, visit the new PPL Montana Web site at www.pplmontana.com.
PPL Montana operates 11 hydroelectric power plants along the Missouri, Madison, Clark Fork and Flathead rivers and Rosebud Creek as well as two coal-fired plants at Colstrip and Billings that give it a combined generating capacity of more than 1,200 megawatts. The company has employees at facilities throughout the state with offices in Billings, Butte and Helena.