Grant Recipients Announced for Pinnacle Wind Farm’s Annual Community Benefit Fund
Local committee selects recipients for Keyser wind farm’s $19,800 grant distribution
Keyser, WV – December 12, 2024 – The US Wind Force Foundation, Inc. announced the grant recipients for the Community Benefit Fund sponsored by Pinnacle Wind, which is indirectly owned and operated by Clearway Energy Group. Sixteen grants from $400 to $3,000 totaling $19,800 were allocated to local organizations, bringing the wind farm’s total donations to $314,068.24.
A local Allocation Committee of eight community members received and evaluated thirty-one completed grant applications. Awardees included area schools, fire departments, the public library, and other local groups that will apply the funding to specific projects.
Keyser resident Cindy Pyles chairs the committee. “I appreciate the continued commitment and the amount of effort the Allocation Committee exerted in its review of the grant applications. They did an outstanding job. We appreciate that the developers of Pinnacle Wind designed a process for allocating grant money that allowed for local decision-making,” said Pyles.
The Pinnacle Wind CBF 2024 grant recipients are as follows:
| Applicant | Grant Amount | Purpose |
| Aging & Family Services of Mineral Co | $800 | High-efficiency thermal bags for the Meals on Wheel program |
| Andrew Coalition for Community Service | $1,000 | Utility shed to house donations |
| Developmental Center & Workshop, Inc | $1,000 | Floor replacement and molding in three bathrooms |
| Elk District Volunteer Fire Co | $1,500 | Sound panels for the social hall |
| Elk Garden Primary School | $500 | Electronic welcome sign for school |
| Friends of Jennings Randolph Lake, Inc. | $1,000 | Benches at the beach area |
| Keyser-Mineral Co Public Library | $400 | Three computer monitors and fifteen headphones |
| Keyser Area Youth Soccer | $2,000 | Commercial-grade refrigerator and chest freezer |
| Keyser Area Little League | $1,500 | Two lawn mowers |
| Kitzmiller Volunteer Fire Dept | $1,000 | Water rescue boat |
| Mineral Co Schools | $3,000 | Three washers and dryers |
| Nancy Hanks VFW Post 3518 | $1,000 | Six vinyl replacement windows |
| New Creek Volunteer Fire Dept Inc | $1,000 | Ambulance bay rewiring and ceiling and lighting replacement |
| Rees Chapel Unity Methodist Church | $1,000 | A-frame swing set meal playset |
| Tri-Towns Fire Co 1 Inc | $1,000 | Community hall repainting and ceiling repair
|
| WVU Foundation (FBO Mineral Co 4-H Leaders) | $2,100 | Construction of a new 4-H food booth |
|
TOTAL |
$19,800 |
The Directors and Officers of the US Wind Force Foundation extended a special appreciation to the members of the Allocation Committee: Cindy Pyles, Chair; Logan DelSignore, Vice-Chair; Jeremy Boinovych, John Lecky, Walt Ward, Cliff Wendricks, Carol Wilson, and, Hayward Wilson. Their service to the Foundation and the community is a critical part of the process.
Funding for the Foundation’s Community Benefit Fund comes from Pinnacle Wind, LLC, the owner and operator of the Pinnacle Wind Project. The Community Benefit Fund was launched in 2012 and will distribute $20,000 every year over the life of the project.
“We are extremely proud to be part of this community,” said Doug Vance, plant manager with Clearway Energy Group. “It’s nice to know that wind energy projects like ours can be of help to such worthy initiatives.”
About US Wind Force Foundation, Inc.
US Wind Force Foundation, Inc., a West Virginia nonprofit corporation, is organized exclusively for charitable purposes. Its primary purpose is to enhance the community by providing funding for projects related to education, historic preservation, public safety, economic development, public recreation, parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, and other similar activities. It will provide funding to select not-for-profit community organizations and communities, consistent with its charter. It was founded by the partners of the project’s developer, US Wind Force, who now develops renewable energy projects as the owners of Laurel Renewable Partners, LLC. To learn more about the US Wind Force Foundation, Inc., visit the website www.uswff.org.