Fayetteville, Ark. — Oct. 25, 2019 — The Black Hills Corp. Foundation is continuing its support for Arkansas communities by awarding its tenth foundation grant since 2016.

The Black Hills Corp. Foundation was established in 2001 to support community organizations across our service territory. Since that time, the Foundation has provided more than $5.3 million in funding for long-lasting, "brick-and-mortar" projects and capital funding campaigns. Foundation grants are awarded in the following focus areas: Helping People, Responsible Energy & Environmental Stewardship, Strong Communities, and Workforce/Education.

The Foundation’s most recent grant was awarded to Harrison House of Hope for their Hope Cottages homeless shelter.  The Hope Cottages provide temporary housing for homeless women and their children.  While in residence at the cottages, women and their children are given access to resources and opportunities aimed at building life skills and financial stability and independence.

“We’ve been working on this project for quite some time,”

“We’ve been working on this project for quite some time,” said Roy Thomas, executive assistant for Harrison House of Hope. “The grant from Black Hills Corp. Foundation will bring us closer to completing the Hope Cottages project by a giant leap. We cannot say thank you enough to express our gratitude.”

The $25,000 grant will be used to complete the common kitchen, expanded laundry facilities and dining area.  Upon completion, the facility will include 7 cottages, 2 of which will be ADA accessible, along with several common areas for families such as the kitchen, dining and play areas.

“We’re committed to improving the communities where we live and work,”

“We’re committed to improving the communities where we live and work,” said Wes Ashton, Black Hills Energy vice president of Arkansas. “The Black Hills Corporation Foundation has been extremely supportive, and we’re excited about this new partnership with Harrison House of Hope and the Hope Cottages.  We appreciate the work Harrison House of Hope is doing to combat homelessness in the region.”

Since entering the Arkansas market in February of 2016, the foundation has donated more than $373,000 in support of ten different organizations across the state including, Arkansas Children’s Northwest, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Mississippi County Economic Opportunity Commission, Mercy Hospital – Ozark, The Elizabeth Richardson Center, Ozark Guidance and others.