Serving the High Plains

Xcel donates $11,000 to local education programs

Xcel Energy recently contributed $11,000 to two education programs in Tucumcari.

The first was an $8,000 donation to Mesalands Community College to provide eight scholarships of $1,000 each to students in the college’s wind energy technology program. The second was a $3,000 grant to fund art classes for children and adults at Art Space, operated by the Northeastern New Mexico Arts and Culture Center. Both grants were awarded in June, David Essex, community service manager for Xcel, said.

The Mesalands donation was the third that Mesalands has received from the Xcel Energy Foundation, totaling nearly $40,000.

“It's really important for us (Xcel Energy) to stay involved and to give back to our communities,” Essex said. “Wind energy is something that continues to grow and therefore, we will need more people to be able to work on these turbines. We think Mesalands is doing a great job with their Wind Program and we are just happy to help.”

In all, Xcel grants to Mesalands have assisted 23 students in completing the wind energy program.

Toni Haymaker, representing the arts and culture center, said the Art Space donation will help with materials and supplies for the art classes, which are offered free to children and at nominal charges for adults.