JACKSON – The first shovel of dirt has yet to be turned on the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, but the project has already proven beneficial in Northampton County.

On Monday in Jackson, the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Community Investment Program awarded grants totaling $22,500 to three community organizations that provide educational and youth services in Northampton County.

Earning those grants were:

The Northampton County Education Foundation, receiving a $10,000 grant to support its ongoing efforts to recruit, retain and train high-quality teachers in the county;

The Garysburg Volunteer Public Library gained a $5,000 grant to support its fundraising drive to purchase a new heating system so the library can continue to serve as a safe, comfortable environment for children and residents in the community to gather and learn; and

Creek Development Corporation, based in Rich Square, received a $7,500 grant to support its after-school and summer programs.

“I applaud the ACP Community Investment Program for recognizing three worthy organizations that make a tremendous difference in Northampton County,” said State Representative Michael Wray of Gaston who attended the presentation. “These grants will go a long way in helping these organizations continue their missions and provide their much needed services to our citizens. ACP is to be commended for their efforts in being committed to making our community a better place to live.”

Several members of the Northampton County Commission attended the ceremony.

“The County is proud to have the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in Northampton County, and we look forward to many years of working together,” said Commission Chair Fannie Greene.

Representatives of each of the three organizations attended the presentation and received the grants from Bruce McKay, a representative of Dominion, the lead partner and developer of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline project.

“We are honored to support these organizations and the great work they do to expand educational opportunities for young people in Northampton County,” said McKay, Dominion’s Senior Energy Policy Director. “By recruiting excellent teachers to serve in the community and providing children with opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, these organizations are building a brighter future for Northampton County, and we’re proud to support their vision,” he concluded.

The ACP Community Investment Program provides financial assistance for projects tied to the well-being and vitality of communities along the nearly 600-mile proposed interstate natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to North Carolina. The pipeline will pass through the western portion of Northampton County. ACP has already committed to building its North Carolina Operations Center in Northampton.

The program is part of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC, a company formed by four major U.S. energy companies – Dominion, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and AGL Resources – to develop, own and operate the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). The pipeline would be capable of delivering up to 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to be used by public utilities to generate electricity as well as heat homes and run local businesses.

The underground pipeline project would facilitate cleaner air, increase reliability and security of natural gas supplies, and provide a significant economic boost in Virginia and North Carolina.

For more information about the ACP, visit the company’s website at www.dom.com/acpipeline.