January 21, 2020 - Pearl River Valley Electric receives Pinebelt Foundation award
PRVEPA Honored for Scholarship Program
Columbia, MS- Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association was honored by the Pinebelt Foundation for its member’s contributions to area students through its Round Up for Education scholar’s program. PRVEPA was given an award at the Faces of the Foundation awards ceremony in Hattiesburg.
Since 2012, Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association has given a financial boost to almost 1,500 students throughout PRVEPA’s 12-county service area. In that time, PRVEPA has collected and deposited more than $1.3 million through its Round Up for Education scholar’s program which is funded by members who round their bills up to the nearest dollar each month. The money goes toward scholarships for members, their spouses or children or legal dependents who are attending a Mississippi community college.
“Historically electric cooperatives have not only provided electric service to rural areas but have also worked to improve the quality of life for the members and the communities they live in,” said PRVEPA General Manager Randy Wallace. “Pearl River Valley Electric believes that education is the bedrock for improving the future for everyone in south Mississippi.”
In 2019, a total of $107,000 was given to 214 students from 30 area high schools. Those students attended 12 Mississippi community colleges. In addition to its yearly scholarships, PRVEPA puts money into an endowment to ensure the future of the program.
Applications are currently available for students who will attend Mississippi community colleges as a freshman in the fall. Applications are available at PRVEPA offices and online at www.PRVEPA.com . Applications are due August 7, 2020.
Pearl River Valley Electric is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative that distributes electricity to more than 50,000 members in 12-counties in central and south Mississippi. It is headquartered in Columbia and has offices in Hattiesburg, Purvis and Wiggins.