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Versant Power invests more than $440,000 in local communities in 2020

Wednesday, December 30, 2020


(Versant Power employee Shane Tatro volunteers with his local Cub Scout troop in early 2020.)

BANGOR and PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented many events and programs from taking place in person this year, Versant Power was pleased to invest more than $440,000 in local communities in 2020, with funds supporting basic human needs as well as socially distant events and economic development initiatives.

Early in the pandemic, $65,000 was devoted to COVID-19 response funds at The United Way of Eastern Maine, The United Way of Aroostook and Good Shepherd Food Bank, while a $60,000 charitable gift to six regional YMCAs helped support children and families. Versant Power also donated $30,000 to the Eastern and Aroostook Area Agencies on Aging, which helped provide access to food, heating assistance and socialization opportunities, and gave laptops to children needing access to the technology for remote learning. The company also helped cover the costs of local socially distant light displays during the holiday season.

“At Versant Power, we recognize the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented this year, and are pleased to provide support to our nonprofit partners at a time when it’s needed most,” said John Flynn, Versant Power President, “To continue our tradition of giving and help our community partners most effectively in 2021, we will meet with them early in the new year to discuss their needs and identify areas where we can assist them.”

Historically, Versant Power’s commitment to the communities within its service territory spans a broad spectrum of needs, from food security to economic development. While a majority of charitable investments focused on the pandemic this year, important historic giving themes in areas such as sustainability and development were not overlooked. Versant Power is supporting Electrify MDI in efforts to encourage people how to use power more efficiently. Through a multi-year partnership with the Maine Development Foundation, Versant continued to fund revitalization efforts in northern Maine communities as part of the Downtown Center initiative in 2020. The company also helped fund study of broadband expansion in the Katahdin region and continued support for University of Maine engineering students and programs.

Versant Power’s community investment program includes charitable gifts to nonprofit organizations as well as sponsorship of local programs and events. As part of its acquisition of Versant Power earlier this year, parent company ENMAX offered to support a 10 percent increase in community investment each year over the next five years.

Versant Power is the state's second-largest electric utility. The company delivers electricity to more than 159,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers across 10,400 square miles in five counties in eastern and northern Maine.