COON RAPIDS, IOWA (Jan. 5, 2018) – Last week, POET – Coon Rapids awarded community grants to several local projects as part of its Never Satisfied program.

Gary Strasser, Adjutant for Gurney Parker Post 357 of the Coon Rapids American Legion, received a $2,500 grant which will contribute to roof repairs of Post 357’s west side. Groups that provide services to the community often use this building. Funding will ensure immediate roof repair and projection of long-term repair.

POET – Coon Rapids General Manager Bill Howell with Gary Strasser of the American Legion.

Courtney Clawson, an agricultural education teacher at Coon Rapids – Bayard Community Schools, received a $2,500 grant to implement the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) Plant Science Curriculum. This curriculum gives students the opportunity for hands-on learning, real-life problem solving and experience for their future careers. Grant money will be used to cover CASE Institute curriculum and professional development training.

“POET – Coon Rapids takes an incredible amount of pride as active members of this community,” said Bill Howell, General Manager of POET – Coon Rapids. “These projects will help propel our community forward and will make an impact for years to come. We are excited about this first round of Never Satisfied community grant recipients and we look forward to awarding additional T-grants in the future.”

Bill Howell with Courtney Clawson, local Ag Instructor and FFA Advisor, and FFA Officers

In addition to supporting the roof repair and agriculture curriculum, POET – Coon Rapids made additional donations to the local Back Pack program, offered support for a second grade class’s trip to Missouri and will also be more involved with a local Industrial Technology program in the form of apprenticeship opportunities.

Doug Wurzer, Maintenance Manager at POET – Coon Rapids, with Josh Atwell, Industrial Technology instructor at the local high school

This is the first year POET is offering Never Satisfied community grants and POET – Coon Rapids intends to award additional grants throughout the upcoming year. For more information about the program and how to apply, please visit https://poet.com/neversatisfied.

About POET
POET, the world’s largest biofuels producer, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 30-year-old company has a network of 27 production facilities. POET, through its joint venture with DSM, also operates a commercial-scale cellulosic biofuel plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.