Central Electric Cooperative's Operation Round-Up® grant program will surpass $250,00 in local impact with the latest round of community grants. Through Operation Round-Up, participating Central Electric members round up their monthly electric bill to the next whole dollar, and the extra cents are pooled together to support local causes.
After reviewing applications from several deserving organizations, the Operation Round-Up Board of Trustees approved the following awards in November:
- Artesian Community Improvement Association - $1,100 for Concession Stand Equipment
- Bridgewater-Emery School District - $1,000 for STEM Supplies
- Brule County Historical Society - $1,100 for Building Improvements
- Crow Creek Tribal Schools - $1,500 for Star Quilts
- Fedora Fire Department - $1,500 for Building Improvements
- Kimball School District - $1,000 for Missoula Children's Theatre
- Letcher Community Development Foundation - $1,000 for Community Signs
- Rural Office of Community Services - $2,100 for Senior Meals
- Sanborn Central School District - $1,100 for a Greenhouse Project
- Sanborn County Ambulance - $1,100 for Emergency Equipment
- Spartan Trap League - $700 for Training Equipment
- Stickney Fire Department - $1,000 for Portable Radios
- White Lake FFA - $1,000 for Program Expenses
"Since 2015, Operation Round-Up has supported 183 community-focused projects across our service area, and we couldn't do it without the support of our membership," said Tara Miller, manager of communications and Operation Round-Up coordinator for Central Electric. "We are so grateful to participating members for rounding up their bill each month to make this possible."
Grants are awarded twice a year by a volunteer board of trustees representing Central Electric's service area. Julie Dykstra of Stickney represents Aurora County, Clarissa Glaus of Chamberlain represents Brule County, Yvette Isburg of Fort Thompson represents Buffalo County, Steven Weisz of Mitchell represents Davison County, LeAnn Moe of Alexandria represents Hanson County, Amber Kolousek of Wessington Springs represents Jerauld County, Tami Moore of Howard represents Miner County, Dawna Van Overschelde of Letcher represents Sanborn County and Merl Bechen of Mitchell represents the board of directors.
Grant applications are accepted every six months. The next deadline to apply is May 1, 2026. For more information, call Central Electric at 800-477-2892 or visit www.centralec.coop and click on Member Programs.