Electric Research and Manufacturing Cooperative, Inc. (ERMCO) reaffirmed its commitment to the future workforce by collectively donating $40,000 to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in Bristol, Wis. The contribution provided $20,000 each to Westosha Central High School District and Bristol School District, supporting innovative educational initiatives that prepare students for careers in high-demand fields such as manufacturing, engineering, and information technology.
Official donation presentations for both recipients took place December 9.
“ERMCO remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering the next generation,” said Debbie Hurt, ERMCO Chief of Staff. “By expanding our investment in STEAM and CTE programs in the Bristol area, we are helping to cultivate opportunities that prepare students for success in high-demand fields and ensure every student has access to a promising future.”
“ERMCO is committed to STEAM/CTE education opportunities for local students in all our locations,” said Brad Whittle, ERMCO Talent Acquisition Manager. “We believe this focus drives the skilled workforce needed for ERMCO’s future.”
Since 2022, ERMCO has donated more than $500,000 to school districts in the company’s home base of Northwest Tennessee. In the first quarter of 2025, ERMCO moved its components manufacturing plant from Antioch, Ill., to a new 160,000 sq. ft. facility in the Bristol Business Park. This most recent donation marks the first to the STEAM/CTE programs at the two Bristol-based school districts.
“We are ecstatic to develop a partnership with a business that truly cares for their community,” said Jake Popanda, Westosha Central High School Associate Principal of CTE & Community Engagement. “We know this new partnership will help further the goals and core values of Westosha Central High School, and we hope to help ERMCO do the same. These generous donations mean increased career exposure and access to industry-standard equipment for our students. The students at Westosha Central High School will undoubtedly have far more opportunities to prepare for future careers thanks to this partnership and these donations.”
“Bristol School is incredibly excited about the partnership with ERMCO,” said Keri Heusdens, Bristol School Principal of Curriculum & Instruction. “We see this as a positive and proactive step toward building strong, lasting relationships within our community. ERMCO’s commitment to investing in our students’ learning and development is truly valued, and we look forward to a mutually beneficial collaboration that enriches the Bristol community as a whole.”
Bristol School plans to use the funding to build and expand STEAM opportunities for its students, such as investing in hands-on learning tools and initiatives centered on mobile technology and coding.
Westosha Central High School has an established CTE program and plans to use ERMCO’s donation to improve equipment in its manufacturing lab space and to fund future student certification programs.
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About ERMCO, Inc.
ERMCO, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of liquid-filled distribution transformers for the utility, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Dyersburg, Tennessee, ERMCO and its affiliates, ECI-Greeneville, ECI-Bristol, GridBridge, Power Partners, Pioneer Transformers, Reynosa, and V&F Transformer employ nearly 3,500 team members across North America. Offering a full range of pole and pad mounted transformers, related components and power solutions for global utilities, ERMCO is proud to be the industry’s most valued business partner. ERMCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI).
For more information, visit www.ERMCO-ECI.com.
Media Contact:
Mike Garabedian
Director, Enterprise Communications
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