Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Toni Ruggle of Cal Water regarding new customer grant and college scholarship programsCALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE COMPANY 1905 HIGH STREET • OROVILLE, CA 95965-4938 w (530) 533-4034 • FAX (530) 533-4085 August 6, 2014 Honorable Members Butte County Board of Supervisors 25 County Center Drive, Suite 2000roville, CA 95965 Oroville, CA 95965 Dear Members of the Board: BUTTE COUNTY ,kDMINISTRATION AUG 0 7 2014 OROVILI.F. CALIF'0NIA I have some exciting news to share with you. As part of our ongoing commitment to our customers and the communities we serve, California Water Service Company (Cal Water) is launching two new programs: a customer grant program and a college scholarship program. Both programs are funded by contributions from Cal Water's shareholders, not by ratepayers. The Cal Water Cares Grant Program is designed to assist customers who are having difficulty paying their water utility bill because of an economic or other unique hardship, such as the loss of a job. Eligible Cal Water single-family, residential customers will be able to receive a grant of up to $200 once every 12 months. Upon approval, the grant funds would be applied to the customer's account balance. Cal Water has partnered with Dollar Energy Fund, a not-for-profit organization that administers one of the largest hardships funds in the country, to manage the program. Additionally, we are partnering with local non- profit organizations that will serve as intake locations for our customers and assist them with the application process. This new program builds upon our existing efforts to assist our customers, including our Low -Income Rate Assistance program that provides eligible customers with a discount on their monthly water utility bill. Most notably, we believe that Cal Water is the first water utility regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission to offer such a grant program. The Cal Water Cares Scholarship Program will assist students residing within our service areas who plan to continue their education in college or vocational school programs. Scholarships will be offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student's choice. Two top awards of $10,000 each will be granted to students demonstrating financial need. One of the top awards will be based on academic achievement. The second top award will be based on community service. All other awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000 each, depending on financial need. Cal Water has partnered with Scholarship Management Services, the nation's largest manager of scholarship programs, to administer the program. As with the grant program, we believe that Cal Water is the first water utility regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission to offer such a program. We are excited about these programs and believe that they will be uniquely beneficial to our customers. Please feel free to call me at 530-533-4034 if you would like any additional information about these programs. Respectfully, Toni Ruggle District Manager Oroville District DISTRICTOF CES• NTE E VALLEY • BAKERSFIELD • BAYSHORE • BEAR GULCH. • CHICO • DIXON • EAST LOS ANGELES • KERN RIVER VALLEY • KING CITY LIVERMORE71 A YSVILLE • OROVILLE • RANCHO DOMINGUEZ • REDWOOD VALLEY • SALINAS • SELM.A • STOCKTON • VISALIA • WESTLAKE • WILLOWS