VEC community fund awards $1,000 to North Country science fair

NEWPORT — The Vermont Electric Co-op (VEC) Community Fund, supported by its members’ voluntary contributions, has awarded $1,000 to the North Country Supervisory Union (NCSU) for their regional science and engineering fair.

Aaron Miller, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) coordinator at NCSU, expressed gratitude for the donation. The funds will provide prizes for students in grades 5-8 participating in the North Country Science and Engineering Fair and contest, which features science and engineering projects.

Emphasizing the importance of STEM careers in Vermont, Miller highlighted their role in ensuring a robust future workforce, offering good pay, high demand, and meaningful work.

“These young people are key to a healthy and vibrant future for our communities in Vermont,” Miller said.

The fair, supported by various organizations including VEC, advances winners to the Vermont state STEM fair at Norwich University in March. Miller acknowledged the essential financial support from entities like the Vermont Electric Co-op for hosting such a significant event.

Since its first donation in 2015, the VEC Community Fund has contributed over $120,000 to approximately 140 non-profit organizations within the VEC region. The fund is maintained by about 2,500 cooperative members and is separate from VEC’s electricity sales revenues.