Cooperative Energy and Origis Energy today made a joint donation of $25,000 to the Lamar County Education Foundation. The donation will support students throughout the Lamar County school district in Mississippi.

“This donation is our way of saying thank you to the residents of Lamar County who have supported our solar project and will continue to support the project in the years to come,” said Jim Compton, president and CEO of Hattiesburg-based Cooperative Energy that supplies power to 55 counties throughout the state. “Enhancing the quality of life in the communities our Members serve through education and other initiatives is part of our mission, so providing support to the Lamar County Education Foundation is a win for us all.”

“Contributing to organizations supporting the educational needs of young people in the communities where we build solar projects is a key initiative for Origis Energy,” said Johan Vanhee, managing director of business development for Origis Energy. “We are so pleased to make this contribution in partnership with Cooperative Energy.  The work of the Lamar County Education Foundation supports the direct needs identified by teachers in classrooms across Lamar County.”

Cooperative Energy and Origis Energy are partners in bringing solar energy to Mississippi through a new solar generation site under construction at Sumrall, Mississippi. Once operational, the 540-acre facility will generate 52 megawatts of electricity.

Marcia Line, director for the Lamar County Education Foundation located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, said, “What Cooperative Energy and Origis Energy have done for the teachers and students of Lamar County is so amazing.  We’re feeling pretty blessed right about now! Every year the task to fill the gap between what is supplied in our school system and the needs identified by the teachers is daunting. We are delighted with this gift which allows us to meet a wide range of teacher requests.”