National Gypsum Co. has been a rock-solid presence in Fort Dodge and Webster County for generations. Although it is a significant contributor to the local economy, company leaders and workers at all levels believe National Gypsum owes something to the community.

Company leaders say giving back to the communities where it does business is a core value of National Gypsum.

The company proved that locally by recently giving the Fort Dodge Community School District a $40,000 grant. The money will be used to update the industrial technology program at Fort Dodge Middle School.

“This donation is going to transform what we can offer students at the middle school level,” said FDCSD Superintendent Josh Porter. “Hands-on STEM and CTE learning opens doors for students. By giving them early exposure to robotics, engineering, manufacturing, and the trades, we’re helping them build confidence, discover their strengths, and explore high-demand career pathways long before they reach high school.”

The grant money will enable the district to implement those upgrades sooner and with less cost to taxpayers.

The $40,000 grant was split evenly, with half coming from the Quarry plant northeast of Fort Dodge and half coming from the Gold Bond plant on the city’s south side.

National Gypsum has taken a real interest in the education of local middle school students. As evidence of that it should be noted that the money for the industrial technology program is the second such grant it has bestowed for the middle school. Last year, it awarded $35,000 for the development of a health occupations lab there.

National Gypsum Co. has again proven itself to be an outstanding corporate citizen with this donation. The company has gone above and beyond with this gift to support the community.

Hundreds of middle school students will get their introduction to rewarding careers in industrial technology related fields through the updated programs and facilities that are being made possible by this grant.

On behalf of those students and the entire community, we thank National Gypsum Co.