Westinghouse donates $80,000 to support Richland One schools
May 5, 2026
In the photo (center) Candice Simons-Cash and Richland One Superintendent Dr. Todd Walker surrounded by Richland One Board of Commissioners members and the principals of Richland One schools receiving donations from Westinghouse
Continuation of a longstanding partnership committed to ensuring a bright future for Richland County
Westinghouse Electric Company, through its Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF), has expanded its longtime partnership with Richland One schools this year to support programming at seven schools in Lower Richland County, where Westinghouse is located. Awarding a total of $80,000 – Westinghouse Columbia donated $10,000 each to Gadsden, Horrell Hill, Hopkins, and Webber Elementary Schools, Hopkins and Southeast Middle Schools, and Lower Richland High School for the upcoming 2026-2027 academic year and an additional $10,000 to sponsor the Electric Hornets, Lower Richland High School’s robotics team. Since 2023, Westinghouse has donated nearly $200,000 to help fund STEM programs, school supplies, and other classroom needs for students in Richland One.
“I view our ongoing partnership with Westinghouse as a great example of our community rising together,” Richland One School District Superintendent Dr. Todd Walker said. “It takes community stakeholders like Westinghouse to commit to helping our students achieve the expectations we have set for them. Donations like this one are instrumental in giving our learners, at all grade levels, the tools and the support they need to be successful.”
“Lower Richland area has been Westinghouse home for nearly 60 years, and many of our employees, myself included, are products of Richland One schools,” said Candice Simons, Westinghouse’s Community Liaison.
The continued partnership between Westinghouse Columbia team and Richland One demonstrates the importance of public-private partnerships in supporting positive outcomes for students and the community as a whole. Westinghouse’s contributions provide external support and programming for students in the Lower Richland area, while Richland One provides an educated and ready workforce to fill many of the high-tech, well-paying jobs at the Westinghouse Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility (CFFF) in Lower Richland.
As one of the largest nuclear fuel facilities of its kind in the world, the Westinghouse Columbia team produces fuel pellets, rods, assemblies, and components that support 10% of the electricity in the U.S and employs 1,200 people from the local community across manufacturing, engineering, testing, and fuel services. Sustaining this highly skilled workforce depends on a strong local talent pipeline, where education and industry are closely aligned.
About Westinghouse
Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world’s first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957, and the company’s technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world’s operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.
