BOLING — Amazon says it plans to launch a Community Fund supporting needs identified by Wharton County organizations following a recent meeting in Boling.
The company held the meet and greet Aug. 7 at the Boling Community Center–Fellowship Hall in partnership with the Boling Lions Club. According to a summary provided by Amazon, approximately 60 people representing organizations from across Wharton County attended.
Those represented included local schools, the Wharton Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture, fire and emergency medical services, veterans groups, the VFW Auxiliary, animal-welfare organizations and Little League programs.
Amazon described the event as a listening session where organizations could discuss their programs and needs. The company identified several topics raised during the meeting:
- STEM education and career exposure for students
- Improvements and expansion of youth recreation facilities
- Housing and food assistance for veterans
- Expanded animal-welfare services
- Funding and volunteer support for historic preservation
Carolyn Jackson, regional community engagement manager for Amazon InCommunities, said the event was intended to begin conversations with local organizations and identify areas where the company may be able to provide support.
Amazon said its InCommunities team will follow up with organizations that registered at the event. However, the company did not provide an amount for the proposed Community Fund, a launch date, eligibility requirements or details about how funding decisions would be made.
The meeting comes as Amazon moves forward with plans for a large data-center development in the Boling and Lane City area. State construction filings previously reviewed by Wharton Post list 10 planned data-center buildings with a combined estimated construction cost of approximately $3 billion.
The summary provided by Amazon focused on community programs and did not address construction, water use, infrastructure, tax impacts or other issues associated with the planned development.
The event concluded with free ice cream provided by local vendor The Silly Goose Ice Cream Truck.
This article is based on information and photographs provided by Amazon/AC Shelton. Wharton Post did not attend the event.
Photo Courtesy of AC Shelton
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