BURGAW – Time is running out for teachers to apply for grants of up to $2,000 from Four County EMC’s Bright Ideas education grant program.

Friday, Sept. 18, is the last day educators can submit their applications for a chance to receive funding for creative, hands-on classroom projects. Interested teachers can find the application, grant-writing tips, and more information on the Bright Ideas website at www.ncbrightideas.com or www.fourcty.org.

“Since 1994, the Bright Ideas education grant program has provided more than $9.6 million for 9,200 projects benefitting more than 1.8 million students in our state,” said Gay Johnson, director of Corporate Communications at Four County EMC. “North Carolina’s electric cooperatives are committed to the communities we serve, and we believe there’s no better way to contribute than by investing in the education of our youth and future leaders.”

Four County EMC and electric cooperatives statewide expect to award nearly $600,000 to educators for Bright Ideas projects during the 2015-16 school year. Last year, Four County EMC awarded more than $19,500 to teachers at 14 schools to fund 23 projects.

Bright Ideas grants are available to certified K-12 teachers for innovative projects in any subject. Applications require an outline of the proposed project, a detailed budget and a description of the benefit to students. Applicants are encouraged to highlight the innovative, creative elements of the project and to proofread carefully.

North Carolina’s electric cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties. Four County Electric Membership Corporation is a Touchstone Energy cooperative that serves approximately 32,500 members in Bladen, Duplin, Pender, Sampson, Columbus and Onslow counties.

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Staff report