Roxboro, NC (December 14, 2016) – Roxboro Community School has received a $360,000 zero-interest loan from Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation which will help pay for the construction of a parking lot, equipment and furniture for the school, and up-fit of the school’s Internet connectivity.
“Our school family is extremely grateful to receive this zero-interest loan from Piedmont Electric,” said Natalie Brozy, Managing Executive Director of Roxboro Community School. “This loan demonstrates the commitment that Piedmont Electric is making to this community and to the future of this county by investing in the education of our talented students.”
The school is located in a former textile factory that has been renovated in phases, while maintaining the charm of the circa 1899 facility. The loan will allow the school to continue the process of making the space functional for a variety of school and community events, while also allowing parking lot construction to begin this year. The classroom furniture, equipment and updated Internet connectivity will benefit RCS students and staff in the learning experience, according to Brozy.
“As a locally owned co-op, we believe it is our mission to support the communities we serve,” said Steve Hamlin, Chief Executive Officer and President of Piedmont Electric. “We want to help make sure this area continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family. We believe we are doing just that by supporting Roxboro Community School’s project.”
The funds were loaned by Piedmont Electric as part of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program (REDLG). The program provides zero-interest funds to local electric cooperatives who in turn lend the money to local entities for projects that support rural areas.
Earlier this year, Roxboro Community School received a $360,000 zero-interest loan from Piedmont Electric for renovations to the school including the gymnasium. Organizations in Person County including Roxboro Community School, Bethel Hill Charter School, Moriah Volunteer Fire Department, Semora Fire Department and the City of Roxboro Fire Department have been approved for zero-interest funding totaling $1.9 million from Piedmont Electric.
In the past three years, Piedmont Electric has loaned more than $4.8 million within Person, Alamance, Caswell and Orange counties for ambulances, fire trucks, fire stations and schools. As the funds are repaid they are re-loaned to assist with future projects in communities served by Piedmont Electric.
Piedmont Electric is a local, member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative serving more than 31,000 electric accounts in Alamance, Caswell, Durham, Granville, Orange and Person counties. Piedmont Electric exists to serve our members and improve the quality of life in our communities through local employment, economic development, business engagement, youth education, grants to educators, advocacy for energy issues, community involvement and emergency preparedness support. Visit www.pemc.coop for more information.
