Bangor and Presque Isle, Maine — Versant Power was pleased to invest more than $500,000 throughout 2023 in the communities where we live and work. Through our community investment program, we supported a broad range of needs while focusing major gifts to address energy affordability, basic needs, and initiatives selected by employees.

“Our main focus of giving in 2023 was energy affordability and included heating assistance funds, heat pump donations and support for building weatherization and energy efficiency projects,” said Versant Power President John Flynn. “Nearly half of our or community giving this past year was attributed to energy affordability.”

Part of the energy affordability giving was through the Power Match charitable matching program, which provides energy assistance to customers through Aroostook County Action Program, Penquis Community Action Program, and Downeast Community Partners. More than $88,000 in matching funds were distributed through Power Match in 2023 to community members who may not qualify for traditional assistance programs.

Versant team members are encouraged to get involved in the community investment program and convene regularly to review grant applications and distribute funds. Through the Power Partners employee volunteer and fundraising program, team members volunteered more than 950 hours at non-profit organizations across our service territory. To encourage and recognize the team’s volunteer efforts, the company provided more than $15,000 to the groups they helped.

Versant Power continued to support Heart of Maine United Way and United Way of Aroostook through their annual campaigns. We continued to sponsor University of Maine athletics and community fairs and festivals including the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival, Maine Science Festival, and holiday light parades. A Versant team ran a road race to support St. Joseph Hospital, hiked to raise money for the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, and joined in the Health Equity Alliance Bangor Pride celebration.

Versant Power’s community investment program includes charitable gifts to nonprofit organizations as well as sponsorship of local programs and events. To learn more about Versant’s community investment program, visit versantpower.com/community.