$375,000 in Scholarships Announced for Emery, Carbon County Students Through USU Eastern Partnership

PRICE, Utah — Utah State University Eastern and the Green River Energy Center project partners have announced a $375,000 contribution to support students in Emery and Carbon Counties.

This funding will establish two scholarships — the Local First Scholarship and the Energy First Scholarship — designed to empower students in the region and strengthen the local workforce.

The Local First Scholarship supports students who plan to remain in Emery or Carbon Counties after earning a degree or certificate, helping meet workforce needs while fostering community development.

“USU Eastern is deeply committed to our Carbon Corridor community. We remain grateful to our valued partners and caring donors for supporting local students and regional economic growth,” said Doug Miller, senior associate vice president and chief campus administrator for USU Eastern.

The Energy First Scholarship focuses on students pursuing energy-related fields, including welding technology, environmental studies, heavy equipment operations and more. Both scholarships will provide up to $5,000 per student annually, with the application process opening Dec. 1, 2024, at scholarships.usu.edu.

“At USU, we believe in the power of education to transform lives and communities,” said Ken White, USU senior vice president of statewide enterprise. “These scholarships will not only help students achieve their academic and career aspirations but also ensure a skilled local workforce to drive the long-term economic vitality of the region. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our Green River Energy Center partners.”

The funding comes from the collaborative efforts of 11 project partners, including rPlus Energies, Bodec, BHI, Elite Solar, Crédit Agricole, Gardner Group, Nextracker, Sundt Renewables, TSJ Construction, and Truist Bank. These organizations are united in their commitment to investing in local talent, ensuring that students in rural areas can achieve educational and professional success.

Luigi Resta, CEO of rPlus Energies, emphasized the importance of local workforce development: “This initiative began in 2022 with USU Eastern as the first partner. It has grown into a transformative program, raising over $690,000 across multiple colleges and universities. For Emery and Carbon Counties, these scholarships provide pathways for students to gain essential skills, stay in their communities, and contribute to the region’s future.”

USU Eastern student representative Cort Probst highlighted the impact of scholarships during an announcement event.

“These scholarships change lives,” Probst said. “For students like me, they reduce financial burdens, allowing us to focus on our education and future careers. Thank you to all the donors for your generosity and support.”

Located in Eastern Utah, the Green River Energy Center is an 800-megawatt solar and battery storage project. Beyond its economic and environmental benefits, the project has created approximately 500 construction jobs and enhanced public services through increased tax revenue.

The project partners believe in the dual mission of energy security and education.

“Education is the backbone of community and industry,” said Jason Daniels of Sundt Construction. “By supporting scholarships like these, we are ensuring a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of a growing energy sector.”

For more information about the scholarships, eligibility criteria, and the application process, visit scholarships.usu.edu.