Tenaska Frontier Partners accepting college scholarship applications

SHIRO – Tenaska Frontier Partners, Ltd., owner of Tenaska Frontier Generating Station near Shiro, is sponsoring academic and community service scholarships for college-bound students in Grimes County again this year.

Tenaska, one of the leading independent power producers in the United States, manages scholarship programs in communities where its generating facilities are located. To date, approximately $760,000 in scholarships have been given out to roughly 885 students across the United States. The program has awarded 148 scholarships totaling $114,000 to Grimes County students to date.

Seniors graduating in spring 2020 from public high schools in Grimes County who will be attending a two- or four-year post-secondary education program at an accredited institution may apply. Applications can be obtained from guidance counselors at each of the public high schools and must be submitted no later than Feb. 14.

Four $1,500 scholarships will be awarded, totaling $6,000. In addition, a $1,500 scholarship in honor of the late Strathwell Johnson will be awarded to a Grimes County student for excellence in community service. Johnson, who grew up in poverty in the 1920s and learned the value of helping others, donated many hours to public office and community service to better life for all. He passed away in 2019.

“Strathwell knew so well the importance of citizenship and serving the community,” said Ross Billingsley, plant manager at Tenaska Frontier. “We admired those qualities, and we strive to ignite the same spark of selfless dedication in Grimes County youth.”

A committee at Tenaska’s headquarters will select the college-bound seniors to receive the scholarships. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate they are prepared for college study, have good character and rank in the top 50 percent of their class.

Fueled by clean-burning natural gas, Tenaska Frontier produces 830 megawatts of electricity for sale to Exelon Generation Company, LLC, which markets the power. The facility is located off Highway 30 between Roans Prairie and Shiro.

The plant is one of the largest taxpayers in Grimes County, contributing more than $48.1 million in property taxes, including approximately $39 million to the Anderson-Shiro Consolidated Independent School District (ISD) and Navasota ISD, since it began commercial operation in 2000. In 2018, the plant injected approximately $4.9 million in salaries and payments to local contractors and vendors into the area economy. In addition to more than 400 hours of volunteer service performed by employees and other annual community contributions, the Tenaska Frontier facility supports the Anderson-Shiro and Navasota education foundations.

Tenaska Frontier Partners is comprised of affiliates of Tenaska, J-POWER USA and Diamond Generating Corporation.