NEXT and Community Partners Provide Nearly $15,000 to Support Local Students

NEXT, Powered by NAEC is proud to support local students and schools through its “Fuel the Future” initiative, a collaborative community effort that has raised nearly $15,000 this school year.
Through the initiative, NEXT originally contributed $12,000 to local school districts in 2025. The effort was further strengthened by the generous support of local business partners including FNBC, Danfoss, Lakeview Auto, and Century Bank of the Ozarks, increasing the overall impact of the program.
Each participating school district will receive funding to support students’ core needs, including:
Covering outstanding student meal balances, ensuring every student has access to nutritious meals.
Providing food for students to take home over weekends and breaks through backpack programs, helping to ease hunger among children.
Purchasing essential school supplies, reducing financial burdens on families.
“Through our Fuel the Future initiative, our hope is that students are able to worry less about being hungry and are better able to focus on learning.” said Cortney Varner, Marketing & Business Development Director for NEXT, Powered by NAEC. “With the added support of our local business partners, we’re able to make an even greater impact on students in our communities and help set them up for success.”
School districts receiving funding include Calico Rock, Cave City, Cotter, Highland, Hillcrest, ICC, Mammoth Spring, Melbourne, Mountain Home, Norfork, Salem, and Viola.
NEXT, Powered by NAEC is a wholly owned subsidiary of North Arkansas Electric Cooperative and provides high-speed, fiber-optic internet and phone services to approximately 23,000 subscribers and counting. Offices are located in Salem, Mountain Home and Ash Flat. For more information, visit mynextfiber.com or call 870-895-3221.