The Cassville Middle School industrial arts program has been awarded a $4,000 grant through the Barry Electric Cooperative (BEC) Sharing Success fund. Funds will be used in conjunction with a 50/50 matching grant to update the drill press and bandsaw and add a wood planer machine in the shop.

‘It is important that we have up-todate equipment in the shop,’ said Robbie Artherton, CMS industrial arts teacher. ‘Keeping students safe in the shop is our top priority and updated equipment that is working properly helps us with that. Currently, we have students turning wooden baseball bats, building jewelry boxes, bow racks and night stands. Updated equipment will also allow our students different options for their projects.’

Grant funding is decided by a committee of individuals selected by the Barry Electric Directors. Committee members represent the entire BEC service territory. Committee members make selections based on where the grant money would best serve the community.

BEC has participated in the Sharing Success matching grant program for the past three years and has been able to give out over $60,000 in grants to groups and organizations in the BEC service territory.

Artherton and Laura Holycross, public relations and marketing coordinator at BEC, are pictured with the students enrolled in the advanced woodworking program at CMS.