On January 16, Electric Research and Manufacturing Cooperative, Inc. (ERMCO) demonstrated its commitment to the future workforce by collectively donating $225,000 to area STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)/CTE (Career Technical Education) programs. Three school systems, Dyer County Schools, Dyersburg City Schools, and Obion County Schools, received $75,000 each to support educational programming leading to high-demand fields such as manufacturing, engineering, and information technology.

Official presentations took place at Dyer County High School, Dyersburg High School, and Obion County Central High School.

“ERMCO is committed to paving the way for our next generation,” said Debbie Hurt, ERMCO Chief of Staff. “We are proud to continue our investment in STEM and CTE education to help provide a bright and promising future that each student deserves.”

“ERMCO is proud to invest in the future of our children and provide them with opportunities to explore STEM/CTE education,” said Brad Whittle, ERMCO Talent Acquisition Programs Supervisor. “Our local school systems continue to invest in their students by continuously growing their STEM programs and labs. The manufacturing and technical skills these students are learning now only make our workforce stronger tomorrow.”

This year marks the third $75,000 donation from ERMCO to the STEM/CTE programs at Dyer County and Dyersburg school systems.

“At Dyer County Schools, our mission is to prepare students for success in college and careers by providing experiences and opportunities that align with high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industries,” said Jennifer Barham, Dyer County Schools CTE Director. “We are committed to equipping students with the knowledge, confidence, adaptability, and practical skills needed to thrive in an ever-evolving world. This effort would not be possible without the invaluable support of industry partners like ERMCO, whose collaboration helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application.”

“On behalf of Dyersburg City Schools, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to ERMCO for their continued financial support of our STEM and Career Technical Education programs,” said Dyersburg City Schools CTE Director Kim Yeiter. “ERMCO’s commitment to investing in our students’ futures enables us to provide innovative learning opportunities, advanced resources, and hands-on experiences that prepare our students for success in a competitive and ever-evolving workforce. ERMCO’s generosity not only strengthens our programs but also reinforces the critical partnerships between industry and education, helping to shape the leaders and innovators of tomorrow. We are proud to collaborate with ERMCO as we continue to inspire and equip our students with the skills they need to excel in STEM and CTE fields.”

Additionally, ERMCO extended its STEM/CTE donation to Obion County Schools for the first time. While much of ERMCO’s Dyersburg workforce resides in Dyersburg and Dyer County, many Team ERMCO members travel daily from Obion County to work.

“We are very excited and appreciative of the opportunity to partner with ERMCO to enhance STEM endeavors at all Obion County schools,” said George Leake, Obion County Schools Supervisor of Instruction & CTE Director. “With so many career paths in the STEM field, this community partnership will help us prepare students for their future endeavors by giving them hands-on classroom activities and experiences that support instruction and will translate directly into employment skills. We will be able to purchase technology that is above and beyond a typical classroom experience, resulting in a deeper understanding of lessons. Community partners like ERMCO are vital to the success of students, and the educational benefit goes far beyond the dollar amount invested. Thank you, ERMCO!”

About ERMCO, Inc.
ERMCO, Inc. is North America’s leading manufacturer of liquid-filled distribution transformers and power solutions for the utility, commercial, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Dyersburg, Tenn., ERMCO and its affiliates, ECI-Greeneville, ECI-Bristol, ERMCO-GridBridge, ERMCO-Power Partners, ERMCO-Pioneer Transformers, and ERMCO-V&F Transformer employ more than 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 Partner. ERMCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arkansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (AECI). For more information, please visit www.ermco-eci.com.