Otter Tail gives nearly $600,000

Otter Tail Power Company and its employees gave nearly $600,000 to about 900 charitable organizations in more than 250 communities throughout the company's service territory in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota during 2005. Otter Tail Corporation provided additional financial support to deserving organizations.

"We have a tradition of being involved members of the communities we serve," said Chris Kling, who oversees Otter Tail Power Company's charitable contributions effort. "We're proud to be a community partner in the spirit of citizenship and service."

To reinforce this tradition, Otter Tail Power Company announces new guidelines that focus its Community Connections giving program. "We want to be more conscientious about supporting young minds, creating vibrant culture and vital communities, improving health and human services, and protecting natural resources," said Kling. "In addition, a study of changing demographics in rural North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota compared with our company's potential retirements tells us that we need to invest in our industry's current and future workforce."

Focus areas for Otter Tail Power Company's charitable giving in 2006 are:

• Education, emphasizing scholarships for line and plant workers and electrical engineers.

(Contact area tech schools and colleges for scholarship information.)

• Health and human services.

• Arts and culture.

• Community enhancement.

• Environmental education, preservation, and conservation.

Nearly all of Otter Tail Power Company's donations go to nonprofit organizations in communities that it serves. The company will give preference to projects and programs that its employees support, that allow the company to make a sustainable impact, and that provide opportunities to collaborate with customers and key nongovernmental and community organizations. Requests for financial support for programs or projects that fall within the company's guidelines are welcome.
Organizations may apply to Otter Tail Power Company's Customer Service Centers, who make local donations decisions. Or, if a potential grant would benefit a larger portion of the company's service area, organizations may apply to Otter Tail Power Company's Community Connections program, for which a team of employees meets four times a year to make contributions decisions. Upcoming deadlines are March 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15. Guidelines and applications are available at www.otpco.com or by contacting Becky Luhning, Community Connections liaison, at 218-739-8206 or bluhning@otpco.com .