Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op members continue to generously assist area community organizations and individuals through the voluntary round up of their electric and natural gas billings.  Member contributions to the Communities First Fund provide funds for grants and scholarships in their local communities within the PIE&G service area.

At their June meeting, the PIE&G Communities First Fund board of directors finalized awards of $7,450 in grants to the recipients listed below.

Cheboygan County

Cheboygan Area High School ($2,000.00):  to purchase new equipment for the Wood Working Technology classroom to help to provide a safe working environment for students. The program is intended to develop and enhance student skills, as well as build lifelong confidence from individual accomplishments. The trade skills and knowledge gained may lead to valuable future employment opportunities.

Cheboygan Hockey Association ($1,200.00):  to establish an ongoing need based scholarship program. The program will help reduce the financial strain associated with the costs of participation in the sport for those who demonstrate financial need. The need-based scholarship will help hockey athletes by providing an opportunity to build confidence, pride, focus, and personal responsibility through participation in the sport.

Presque Isle County

Onaway United Methodist Church ($1,500.00):  to purchase items to restock the Caring Closet. The Caring Closet exists to help people in the community who are in need of items that cannot be purchased by food stamps (laundry detergent, hygiene items, toiletries, etc.). These items are not food, can be expensive, and there is often a shortage of money within the household.

Rogers City Area Schools ($1,250.00):  to purchase technology (twenty-five 7 inch “Fire” computer tablets) for the second grade students. The tablets will allow students to use current technology to help broaden their learning abilities in reading, writing, math, and science.

United Way of Northeast Michigan ($1,500.00): to purchase supplies for the “Presque Isle County Project Connect” event in October. The grant will be used to purchase food and personal hygiene products that are provided to attendees. Approximately two-hundred to three-hundred people are expected to receive services and donated items at the event.

Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op provides electric and natural gas service to more than 42,000 member-owners, and serves a nine county area across northeast Michigan. PIE&G headquarters is located in Onaway.