Heartwell Renewables brings energy through generosity
Heartwell Renewables is bringing their renewable energy alternative as well as their heart to the neighborhood. Prior to the first shovel of dirt, Heartwell Renewables looked to partner with the community of Hastings as well as Central Community College Hastings campus.
“As neighbors, not only do we share a property line, but we also share a commitment to advancing innovation and knowledge in the Hastings community and beyond,” said Rocky DeMello, Heartwell senior operations advisor. “We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to continued collaboration in the weeks, months and years ahead.”
Heartwell Renewables, a partnership between Cargill and the Love’s Family of Companies, is constructing a processing facility adjacent to CCC Hastings campus, which is expected to produce 80 million gallons of renewable diesel fuel each year. The plant expects to be operational by summer of 2024 and will employ nearly 100. Leadership from both sides have found innovative ways to partner as Heartwell Renewables gears up. Offices for Heartwell Renewables are located on the CCC Hastings campus until theirs are built. The CCC Hastings campus will also be utilized as a training facility for onboarding Heartwell Renewable employees. Heartwell Renewables commitment goes beyond space and training for the Hastings campus. They have showed a desire to impact the local workforce through their generosity.
More than 50 career and technical science students on the Hastings campus will benefit from a $100,000 scholarship gift from Heartwell Renewables over the next three years.
Through this investment in CCC students, Heartwell Renewables has shown a commitment to the future of the skilled workforce in the local area. During the gift presentation, Rocky DeMellow expressed how deep and meaningful this gift is for the organization and him personally. He expressed his hopes to bring even more individuals to the skilled workforce and the desire for this gift to make an impact on those who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to advance in the workforce.
“We are excited about how this scholarship will directly impact the lives of our students in our career and technical science programs,” said CCC-Hastings President Dr. Chris Waddle. “With a preference for students in financial need, or who are first generation students or single parents, this scholarship will allow CCC to provide more opportunities for those looking to advance their skills. Heartwell Renewables has been a great partner to work with and we are looking forward to a collaborative relationship for many years to come.”