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Facebook Announces Rutherford County Grant Recipients

21 Nonprofits Receive Facebook-Rutherford Community Action Grants to Help County Residents Connect with New Opportunities

(Rutherford Co.) - Oct. 27, 2011 - Facebook today announced the recipients of the 2011 Facebook-Rutherford Community Action Grants.  A total of $200,000 will be distributed to 21 county-based nonprofits. Facebook data center manager George Henry will personally visit the nonprofits to deliver a letter of recognition on Thursday and Friday.

“Facebook connects people all over the world, and right here in Rutherford County, it’s very important to us to connect to our community,” said Henry. “Rutherford County has welcomed and supported us, and Facebook is thrilled to call it home.  Our goal with these grants is to help local organizations make a difference in this community that’s made such a difference to us.”

A local committee helped review and evaluate the applications, including Commission Chair Bill Eckler, Forest City Mayor Dennis Tarlton, Outgoing Economic Development Director Tom Johnson, United Way Director Faye Hassell, Isothermal Community College President Myra Johnson and Main Street Financial’s Diane Warner.

“These grants are yet another example of the incredible work Facebook has done in the Rutherford County community,” said Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10). “Facebook continues to be an active, positive influence on our local economy and these grants stand only to bring more opportunity to Rutherford County.”

Information on the next cycle of Facebook community grants will be announced in the first half of 2012. All eligible organizations are welcome to apply, whether or not they received grants in this round.

The 2011 grant recipients -- which will each be showcased on Facebook’s Rutherford County data center page starting the first week of November -- are:
  • Bill’s Creek Volunteer Fire Department
  • Communities in Schools of Rutherford County, Inc
  • Family Resources of Rutherford County
  • Forest City Fire Department
  • The Foundation Performing Arts & Conference Center, Isothermal Community College
  • Hickory Nut Gorge EMS
  • Isothermal Basic Skills Program
  • KidSenses Children’s Interactive Museum
  • Lake Lure Classical Academy
  • Lake Lure Fire and Rescue
  • Norris Public Library
  • Pinnacle Elementary School
  • Rutherford Early College High School
  • Rutherford County Library
  • Rutherford Hospital Foundation
  • Rutherford Regional Medical Center & PANGAEA Internet
  • Shiloh-Danieltown-Oakland Volunteer Fire Department
  • Sunshine Elementary School
  • Technology Enhanced Learning, Isothermal Community College
  • Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy
  • Union Mills Learning Center