OUR COMMUNITY
Terra-Gen understands and is strongly committed to empowering our neighbors and local communities where we conduct business. This involvement complements our company mission that focuses on bringing affordable clean energy and meaningful economic growth to communities across the United States.
We take tremendous pride in giving back to neighborhoods and communities where we have projects. We know that each community has different priorities. As a result, so do we.
Some of our company efforts include sponsoring high school scholarship programs, contributing to air and space safety research facilities, donating to indigenous reservations, supporting local fire stations and the American Red Cross.
A list of some of our community initiatves, follows:
Terra-Gen High School Scholarship Program
Established in 2011, the Terra-Gen High School Scholarship Program is dedicated to providing tuition-assistance to local graduating seniors for trade school, colleges and universities.
The program has awarded more than $130,000 in scholarships, making a broad regional impact by focusing on graduates from Desert High School, Mojave High School, Rosamond High School, Tehachapi High School, and California City High School.
Youth Sports & Programs
Local Schools
Terra-Gen is dedicated to youth education and expanding student opportunities. The company has donated thousands of dollars for back-to-school and book drives. Our employees, many of them community residents, have participated in mentorship programs and career days to further educate students about the importance of a clean energy future.
Youth Sports
Fire Department Partnerships
Terra-Gen values its relationships with local Fire Departments and contributes based on local department needs. The company donated $250,000 to the Valley Center Fire Protection District toward their new fire station and we, together with a partnering vendor, purchased the department two new heart compression machines. Terra-Gen received an award in appreciation from Fire Chief Joe Napier of the Valley Center Fire Protection District. We also donated $250,000 to the Kern County Fire Department for a specialized Wind Turbine Fire Truck to better equip their first responders.
Edwards AFB Flight Test Museum SR-71 Blackbird Sponsorship
Terra-Gen contributed $250,000 to the Edwards Air Force Base Flight Test Museum to sponsor the SR-71 Blackbird exhibition. This donation helped fund construction of the new Flight Test Museum being built outside the West Gate at Edwards AFB. The Flight Test Museum’s mission is to preserve, display and educate the public about more than 75 years of flight test research at the base. The current museum is an 8,500 sq. ft. building located inside the gates of the current Air Force base which limits public access. The new 75,000 sq. ft. museum is located outside the West Gate. This new location will allow more space for aircraft inventory, include a state-of-the-art STEM Education Center and easier public access.
The SR-71 Blackbird that Terra-Gen sponsored is SR-71-A, number 61-7955. It was the 6th prototype and was in active duty from 1964 to 1988 as the premier test aircraft for Lockheed and the Air Force. It was used to test new systems and configurations for the rest of the Blackbird fleet. Construction started on May 13, 1964 and #955 first flew on August 17, 1965 with the last flight occurring on January 24, 1985 after accumulating 1,993.7 hours of flight time.
Senior Volunteer Program
Terra-Gen remains a committed community partner through annual donations to the Senior Volunteer Program, the non-profit program founded to assist the California Highway Patrol, Mojave Area in its function to provide safety, service and security to the neighboring residents and communities. Annually, the CHP Senior Volunteers contribute approximately 200,000 hours of service through 900 Senior Volunteers in 91 area offices throughout the state. Terra-Gen is proud to sponsor the local Mojave Area unit, as the group participates in a myriad of local activities such as distributing food baskets at Thanksgiving, providing college scholarships and helping with the annual CHPS for kids toy drive at Christmas.
The Mojave Air & Space Port
Terra-Gen has been a longtime supporter of the airport’s Facilities Safety Fund. Our company has donated funds dedicated toward the modernization of safety equipment, such as expanding radar capabilities with a newly integrated AWOS-3 system. Terra-Gen also committed $100,000 to house experimental aircraft within the Mojave Air & Space Port Hall which is often used by the local community members and the public.
Mojave Street Light Initiative
Terra-Gen sponsored the installation of solar street lights in the town of Mojave, California. The company worked with the town of Mojave and the Mojave Foundation to identify this residential safety measure for children walking to and from their bus stop or to school in the dark. Each solar powered light has the name of a Terra-Gen employee.
Christmas Celebrations
Terra-Gen is an annual sponsor of the Tehachapi Christmas Parade. The holiday event includes live entertainment and photos with Santa Claus for local children. In 2022, our employees assembled a float that won first place in the parade and participated with their family members, handing out pinwheels to the crowd. Through the Rotary Club in Tehachapi, we donate to their food box drive to support many seniors and local residents in the community. Terra-Gen also supports the annual Christmas Tree lighting in Mojave.
Community Business Partners
Terra-Gen remains committed to our community business partners. Our company and our employees are proud members of the Mojave, Rosamond, California City and Tehachapi Chambers of Commerce. Through these chambers, we are able to continue initiatives that benefit these regions as a whole. From school supply drives to the annual Christmas tree lighting, Terra-Gen is proud of our team’s commitment to businesses large and small.
Terra-Gen was awarded the Large Business of the Year Award by the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce in 2019.