Eight Crawford County community organizations have been named the latest recipients of funds from the Honey Creek Wind Community Grant Program. The program aims to benefit groups and organizations working to improve their communities in four distinct areas: building healthy communities, community and economic development, environmental sustainability, and promoting education. Throughout the development of Honey Creek Wind, Apex Clean Energy has supported dozens of community organizations, events, and causes, through the program, with total grants and donations exceeding $185,000. 

“We’re proud to support these amazing organizations and projects that are improving the lives of residents throughout Crawford County,” said Brian O'Shea, Director of Public Engagement for Apex Clean Energy. "Local clean energy projects like Honey Creek Wind are powering better communities all across Ohio. Our community grant program is just one way we can give back and do our part in the community, even before the project is constructed." 

A grant to the Community Foundation for Crawford County will support the foundation’s Giving2sday fundraising drive and event on November 29, which supports scholarships for Crawford County students, among other community priorities. Last year, the Foundation awarded over $180,700 in scholarships, $76,500 of that to current college students.  

“On #Giving2sday, our donors like knowing that their gift will inspire a second one, as there is a pro-rated match pot thanks to our Board and the generosity of companies like Apex,” said Lisa Workman, President of the foundation. “Any of the over 100 funds held here at the Foundation can participate, and it’s very inspiring to be part of a global movement of giving, collaborating, and celebrating generosity.” 

The New Washington Veterans Memorial Park Project will receive a $5,000 grant to support construction of the veteran’s memorial and park. Funds from the Honey Creek Wind community grant will be used for granite memorials honoring Purple Heart Recipients, Bronze Star Recipients, and First Responders, as well as flags and flagpoles representing the branches of the armed services. 

“The New Washington Veterans Memorial Park project is very appreciative of the Honey Creek Wind team providing this grant,” said Dave Riedel of the Community Foundation of Crawford County. “This grant will help build a park that will remind people that our freedom is not free and to remember and honor the local veterans. The park will also be educational for the younger generations to learn about what it means to be a veteran.” 

A grant to the Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce will support upcoming community events including a planned educators’ breakfast which will celebrate the educators in the community who work tirelessly to support area students. 

The Liberty Township Fire Department is receiving a grant to help the department replace protective equipment to keep volunteer fire-fighters safe as they respond to emergencies in Sulphur Springs and Liberty Township. The department needs to replace sixteen air bottles that expire at the end of the year and would like to purchase twenty-five protective SCBA masks. 

Serving six townships in Crawford County, First Ambulance District will use a nearly $3,000 grant from Honey Creek Wind for the purchase of an ambulance dual head radio. This equipment will aid the squad in providing quick, consistent, and reliable communication between stations and other first responders as they save lives through ambulance transport and patient care.  

Stacy Sutherland, Fiscal Officer for the ambulance district stated “Life First Ambulance District would like to thank the Honey Creek Wind team for their community support in awarding Life First with this grant. These funds will purchase a MARCS radio for our squad, Medic 1, to improve our communications with dispatch, other first responders, and the hospital. Our vision at Life First is to provide leadership that is proactively improving medical and health emergency preparedness and emergency medical services. Honey Creek Wind's generosity supports our ability to provide the best service possible to our community." 

Agriculture is at the center of Crawford County’s history and economy. A grant to the Crawford County Agricultural Society will continue Honey Creek Wind’s long history of supporting the county’s agricultural community. The grant will support renovations and construction at the county fairgrounds, including the construction of a building to house OSU Extension offices, community rooms, and a 4-H lunch stand. 

Other grant recipients include $2,500 grants to the Bucyrus Music Boosters to assist with the purchase of a new food booth that and the Tiro Auburn Fire Department to go towards the purchase of a battery-powered Jaws of Life set. 

Media Contact:
Brian O’Shea
Director of Public Engagement
[email protected]
952-393-2986

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About Honey Creek Wind:

A project of Apex Clean Energy, Honey Creek Wind is a community-based clean energy opportunity for Crawford County that will generate up to 300MW of homegrown clean energy, generating enough electricity to power approximately 85,000 Ohio homes every year.

Honey Creek Wind will benefit the local economy through hundreds of millions of dollars in construction spending, over $45 million in payments to landowners and community participants, and over $120 million in new revenue for local school districts, township governments, and Crawford County services over the project's lifetime. For more information, visit www.honeycreekwindpower.com