NEXTera Energy presented a $10,000 donation to the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Program on Thursday afternoon.
The large donation will go towards a second K-9 that will be obtained in late spring or early summer 2020.
“We will now have up to 16 hours of coverage during the seven day week,” says Sheriff William Sherron.
The Genesee County Sheriff’s Department has been exploring the idea of a second K-9 for about a year and a half, but because the department went through several retirements, all at the same time, which created staffing issues, they had to wait.
“We are finally getting to the point where we are fully staffed and this will allow us another opportunity to dedicate another officer to the K-9 program.”
The cost of a new K-9, along with training, a vehicle, and fitting the vehicle for a K-9 is about $40,000.
The K-9 Program has been accepting donations for about a year and a half and enough money has been raised to move forward.
“This donation will help us tremendously.”
NEXTera Energy is the company involved in the solar project in Byron.
Barbie Starowitz’ farm, Star Growers, is working with NEXTera Energy as they will be installing solar panels on her farmland as part of the Excelsior Energy Center in Byron.
“They wanted to give back to the community and knowing the Sheriff’s Department wanted another dog for the last year, this is a plus for the community and to help the Sheriff’s Department, so everybody in the community benefits, not just one individual,” says Starowitz.
NEXTera Energy Project Director Keddy Chandran says this is what his company does in a community.
“We try to be an active partner in the community, so we are looking forward to continuing to work with the County, the Town and especially the school district to bring real benefits to the Town,” says Chandran.
“This is just an example of what we like to do.”