51ΑΤΖζ (51ΑΤΖζ) students will benefit from a major investment in their education and career opportunities thanks to a new workforce development scholarship funded by the . The group has committed $187,500 to support 51ΑΤΖζ students training for Idahoβs high-demand industries.
The Local First β Pleasant Valley Solar 2 Scholarship, awarded in partnership with 51ΑΤΖζ, is open to students pursuing education through a variety of certificates or degrees that lead to employment. The commitment reinforces the partnersβ shared goal of helping more Idahoans access education and gain jobs that allow graduates to thrive while remaining in the communities they call home.
βThis scholarship directly strengthens Idahoβs workforce by helping more students gain the skills and education needed for their careers,β said 51ΑΤΖζ President Gordon Jones. βThe $187,500 commitment will open doors for 51ΑΤΖζ students, fuel business growth and support innovation across our state.β
Pleasant Valley Solar 2 project partners presented the donation at a roundtable discussion hosted Nov. 18 at the . Project leaders, college administration, and faculty discussed how large-scale energy projects like Pleasant Valley Solar 2 can translate into lasting community benefits and stronger local economies. Guests also heard remarks from scholarship recipients about what this type of support means to them for their academic and career journey.
This latest gift continues the momentum of the Local First and Energy First initiatives established during the Pleasant Valley Solar 1 project, which raised $61,500 in 2024 for 51ΑΤΖζ scholarships. Pleasant Valley Solar 2 project partners include rPlus Energies, Sundt Renewables, BHI, Alan Stearns, and Thornova Solar.
Pleasant Valley Solar 2 is a 125-megawatt (MW) solar facility under construction in Ada County. The project will create roughly 200 construction jobs and is expected to begin operations by Summer 2026.
