Amicalola EMC’s Bright Ideas teacher grant program is a competition designed to reward teachers who take the time to plan, research and put into action a creative classroom learning experience for students. Since the program began in 2010, a total of $387,664.42 has been awarded to fund 593 classroom projects. The program is offered to Georgia certified teachers at elementary, middle, high schools and private schools within the Amicalola EMC service area.

2019 timeline
Beginning August 1 – Applications accepted
August 30 – Early bird deadline
September 6 – Final deadline to apply

Grants will be funded up to a maximum of $1000 each. Teachers who submit their application by the early-bird deadline of August 30 will be entered into a random drawing for one of several gift cards. Program details are available at www.amicalolaemc.com, My Community, Bright Ideas.

The Bright Ideas teacher grant program is part of Amicalola EMC’s ongoing commitment to education. Funding for the program is in accordance with Georgia’s unclaimed property laws O.C.G.A. §44-12-236. Amicalola EMC is a not-for-profit electric cooperative that serves more than 49,000 locations in ten north Georgia counties. Amicalola EMC is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

The 2019 Nominating Committee met on July 2, 2019, and prepared a list of nominations for election of three directors at the Annual Meeting to be held on October 5, 2019.

Nominated for directors to be elected by a vote of the members at the Annual Meeting are James Bryan, representing Post #4 (Pickens County & Gordon County); Kathy Burt representing Post #7 (Dawson County & Forsyth County); William Leon Davis, representing Post #9 (Lumpkin County).

Other nominations may be made by Nomination by Petition of 15 or more members.  A Nomination by Petition must be made within 60 days prior to the Annual Meeting.  For more information, you may call the headquarters office in Jasper, (706) 253-5200.

Our offices will be closed on Thursday, July 4 for Independence Day. As we celebrate our nation’s freedom, Amicalola EMC thanks the courageous men and women who are dedicated to preserving it.

A Nominating Committee was appointed by the Board of Directors of Amicalola EMC at its June meeting to make nominations for directors whose terms expire at the Annual Meeting to be held October 5, 2019.  This Nominating Committee made up of Steve Garrison (representing Bartow/Cherokee Counties); Doug Blackstock (representing Dawson/Forsyth Counties); Grady Evans (representing  Gordon/Pickens Counties); Edward E. Tucker (representing Lumpkin County); and Freddie Vick, (representing Fannin/Gilmer/Murray Counties) shall meet at the headquarters office in Jasper on July 2, 2019.

August 1 – Begin accepting applications (online only).

August 30 – Early bird deadline.

September 6 – Final deadline to apply.

All grants to be awarded in October.

When used correctly, ceiling fans can help lower summer cooling costs and make the air seem cooler than it actually is. During the summer, the fan blades need to spin counterclockwise to push the air downward. Moving the air around is no different from folding a piece of paper and fanning your face, so remember to only run the fan when someone is around to enjoy the breeze. Left on and unattended, ceiling fans are just spinning up your electric bill. Flipping the switch or pulling the chain to turn off the ceiling fan when you are leaving the room is a cool summer energy tip.

If you were awarded a 2019 Amicalola EMC scholarship earlier this year, it’s time to claim your money. Please visit www.amicalolaemc.com, My Community, Scholarships. Click on the link on the left side of page “2019 Scholarship Award Form” and complete the online form. You will need the mailing address of the college. You may also enter the name of a contact person, but that is optional. We must have this information by August 1.  Your scholarship will be mailed during the first week of September. Please email staceyf@amicalolaemc.com if you have questions or need more information.

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling costs will be.
• Use ceiling fans wisely; living room and kitchen during the day; bedrooms at night.
• Close window coverings, like curtains and blinds, during the day to block sunlight.
• Use caulk and weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows.
• Remember to avoid using the oven when you can. Cooking on the stove, using the microwave and grilling outside will help you avoid heating up your kitchen.

Use the Home Energy Suite tool on our homepage to perform energy savings scenarios and call us to schedule a free home energy audit.

Russell Segers of Amicalola EMC was one of 13 recipients of the Honorary State FFA Degree awarded at the state convention held in Macon on April 25-27, 2019. The Honorary State FFA Degree is given to individuals who have rendered outstanding service to agricultural education and the National FFA Organization. A total of 44 individuals have received Honorary State Degrees based on their exceptional work in the state of Georgia. All recipients received a plaque and a medal in recognition of their service.

The National FFA Organization, formerly known as the Future Farmers of America, changed its name in 1988 to reflect the growth and diversity of agriculture. There are nearly 670,000 FFA members nationwide. The Georgia Association has more than 42,000 members, making it the third largest Association in the nation. The FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success, through agricultural education.
Amicalola EMC is a not-for profit electric utility providing electricity and related services to over 49,000 locations in Bartow, Cherokee, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gordon, Lumpkin, Murray and Pickens counties.

Help us celebrate Earth Day 2019! Even a small change, like changing to LED bulbs, can make a big difference. We are giving away LED bulbs at all three locations today, to the first 50 members who stop by.

The Basics of LED Lighting: LED stands for light emitting diode. LED lighting products produce light approximately 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. How do they work? An electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources we call LEDs and the result is visible light. For more information on lighting and other energy efficiency topics, please visit www.energystar.gov.