Staff Report JOHNSON CITY —

Pedernales Electric Cooperative is now accepting applications for community grants; the cooperative encourages nonprofits across PEC’s service area to apply for up to $5,000 grants through Oct. 18.

PEC awards community grants to help nonprofits fund important projects that help improve the community. Nonprofits that receive these funds can use them to support projects related to technology, capital improvements and energy efficiency.

These grants are made possible due to the generosity of PEC members enrolled in the cooperative’s Power of Change Program, according to a news release. By joining, members can opt to have their bills rounded up to the nearest dollar each month for charity or they can make a one-time contribution.

Since PEC’s Power of Change Program launched in 2016, members have donated more than $825,000 to benefit area nonprofits, as well as PEC’s Employee United Charities, area education foundations, PEC’s Member Assistance Program, PEC’s youth education programs and other projects to help strengthen the communities it serves.

Learn more about PEC’s Power of Change Program and enroll today at www. pec.coop/change. To apply for a PEC grant, visit www. pec.coop/grants.