A spin-cycle of gratitude after the AEP Foundation, upon the recommendation of the D.C. Cook Nuclear Plant, donates to fund a “Laundry Hub.” Recently, a $70,000 donation was made to help fund a Community Resource Center in the heart of Benton Heights, Michigan.  

The Community Resource Center aims to increase overall well-being for Benton Heights residents. The new building will include a fully operational laundromat, financial coaching, career services and various health consultations. 

 Shane Lies, AEP Senior Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer, presents a $70,000 AEP Foundation donation to Chris Britton, Executive Director of New Heights Christian Community Development, to help fund a Community Resource Center in Benton Heights, Mich. 

“The project is really coming along and the construction has created quite a buzz in the community,” says Chris Britton, Executive Director of New Heights Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). “Thanks to an incredibly generous donation by the American Electric Power Foundation, full funding for the project is now in sight.”

New Heights CCDA, the organization behind the center, believes the hub will increase the quality of life. A key to the community center's impact is the partnerships that New Heights has developed with local human service agencies, such as Kinexus, Summit For Financial Wellness, and the Benton Harbor Library, that plan to engage in outreach efforts and deliver their services from the facility.

The total project cost crept up to $1.3 million due to inflation. With a $70,000 donation from the American Electric Power Foundation, New Heights has now raised $1.2 million.

“An important goal of the AEP Foundation is to provide support to projects and initiatives that will be ‘life-changing’ to the communities we serve,” said AEP Senior Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer. “The Laundry Hub will absolutely do that for the Benton Heights Community. We are proud, not only to join hands with so many other generous donors behind the effort, but also to be here at a point to help inspire others to bring in the final dollars needed to bring the project to life.”

The new “Laundry Hub” will be open to the public.