Laurens Electric Cooperative awarded two Community Impact Initiative grants at the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet in February, supporting projects in Laurens and Gray Court aimed at expanding youth services and improving public space downtown.
Straight Street Youth Center in Laurens will use its grant to add a bottle-filling water station and new kitchen and concession equipment — upgrades the organization says will help it better serve middle and high school students who arrive after school activities “hungry, tired, or in need of a safe place to belong.” Straight Street hosts nearly 50 students each Friday and Saturday night for a structured program that includes fellowship, devotionals, games and basketball.
In Gray Court, the town will use its grant to improve the community park along Main Street. Town officials said upgrades to the roadside park are intended to support downtown events, increase foot traffic and encourage community gathering near local businesses, while also making the area more attractive to families considering the community.
Laurens Electric’s Community Impact Initiative provides grants up to $2,000 intended to enrich the quality of life of citizens in the communities the cooperative serves. Funding for the initiative comes from Laurens Electric’s annual charity events.
Community members apply through their local Chambers of Commerce in Laurens, Mauldin, Simpsonville and Fountain Inn. Find out more about the program at:
https://laurenselectric.com/grant
Image Information
Image filename: Laurens StoryWalk (JPEG)
Caption:
Laurens Electric’s David Hammond (left) presents grant awards to Straight Street Youth Center in Laurens and the Town of Gray Court intended to improve quality of life in the communities the co-op serves.
Photo credit: Courtney Stonell