Tri Star receives donations for future project funding
CELINA — Tri Star Career Compact received a hefty donation from two organizations this week involving an upcoming project that interests everyone.
The organization is planning on adding three electric charging stations to their building, which they are currently getting funding for. As of right now, two organizations recently stepped up to provide some money to the project, which included Midwest Electric and Buckeye Power.
Midwest Electric was the one to present their money to Tri Star Director Tim Buschur and Assistant Director Brian Stetler, with representatives Joel Johns and Scott Snethkamp giving a $1,000 check to them to cash soon.
As for the business’s reasoning behind the donation, Johns was able to provide an answer.
“Tim Buschur from Tri-Star contacted me earlier this year about any funding that was available for the charging stations,” Johns explained about how the process had started. “At Midwest, we have a community connection fund, which he applied for that.”
Johns also said that he was able to contact someone in Columbus, at the Ohio Electric Cooperatives, who were able
to match the grant as well. The amount provided by Buckeye Power, one of the cooperatives, also amounts to $1,000 and will be sent to help with Tri Star’s upcoming project.
The importance of helping out the community is one that Midwest Electric as
happy to do, especially with an organization like Tri Star.
“So one of our cooperative principles is concern for the community,” Johns explained part of the company’s philosophy. “So any way that Midwest Electric can help out the community, we’re always looking to support the community.”
The company is also happy to help the
students at Tri Star get into career paths that they offer in their company, or anything that will help out the community in the long term. In a way, this grant is a long term investment for the future.
As for the electric chargers themselves, planning is going slowly until funds are sufficient enough to start making things concrete. Ag mechanics and automotive courses are said to most likely benefit from the additions of the stations, with other,
minor advantages.
“It’ll be great for automotive and that it’s going to give those kids opportunities to have that technology and get jobs,” Buschur said about the chargers ultimate purpose. “Because you know Tesla is big now, so it gives our kids a headstart on getting that training.”
Since battery-run cars are said to be the future, it will hopefully be a good investment, not only for the Tri Star organization, but also the students as well.