The Central Arizona College Foundation has received a donation of $10,000 for Pinal Promise from Durham, N.C.-based solar company Cypress Creek Renewables.
“We are delighted to provide this donation to the Pinal Promise program so that they can continue their good work providing scholarships to Pinal County students,” said Stacy Gramazio, director of external affairs for Cypress Creek. “All young people in Pinal County should have the opportunity make a college education a reality, and we admire the foundation’s commitment to upholding the mission of the program that has been going strong since 2001.”
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Gramazio, CAC spokesperson Angela Askey told InMaricopa this morning, sits on the CAC Foundation Board as its president and has been “involved with the college” in prior roles as a leading proponent for the Pinal Promise program.
“That us where the connection is,” Askey said.
Gramazio said she has for many years witnessed the positive impacts that Pinal Promise has had for students throughout Pinal County. She said she knew that a donation to the foundation would be an “outstanding benefit” for local residents.
Cypress Creek aims to be a partner in the communities where it develops and operates. The company has a long history of supporting education, particularly STEM education and workforce development programs. It is the company’s hope that through their support of Pinal Promise, educational opportunities will be provided for the Pinal County workforce of tomorrow, according to a news release today.
Craig Kurtz, executive director of the Central Arizona College Foundation, expressed his appreciation, stating: “The CAC Foundation is grateful for this wonderful relationship with Cypress Creek. This will help assist in our funding efforts for the graduating seniors of Pinal County high schools so they can enroll at any one of our Central Arizona College campuses and get their first two years of tuition at no cost.”
As Maricopa is the most populated city in Pinal County with its own CAC campus, one of five, Askey said the newly donated funds are sure to make an impact even closer to home.
“The support received for Pinal Promise from Cypress Creek Renewables will benefit high school students throughout Pinal County, including those attending schools in the Maricopa community,” Askey said.
Cypress Creek renewables serves customers in 24 states, including Arizona and especially in Pinal County. Andrew Rodriguez, executive director of the Eloy Chamber of Commerce, said earlier this year the company were “good neighbors” after a $25,000 donation to benefit people with disabilities in Casa Grande.
The CAC Foundation is a not-for-profit that since 1968 has served and supported Central Arizona College as a two-year institution of higher education with the primary role of providing student scholarships.


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