Air Products is making investments through the Air Products Lake Maurepas Community Fund and other charitable giving that has impacts far beyond the shores of Lake Maurepas and its recreational and commercial fishing and boating communities.

“We are investing in communities along the Northshore, because it’s a critical location where part of the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex will operate. These investments improve the lives of the larger community as well,” said Danna LeBlanc, Commercial Executive Director of the Louisiana Clean Energy Complex. “For example, when we provide funds to a local fire department to purchase additional equipment to support emergency response on the lake, that investment benefits all who live on or use the lake.

For anglers out there, Air Products has made two investments in fish stocking this year: a fish stocking program through Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation for Largemouth Bass, White Crappie and Catfish and one through Recreational Fisheries Research Institute for a Redfish breeding and stocking program.

Air Products recently made a grant to the Southeastern Louisiana University Foundation to fund the Southeastern STEM Scholars program to provide high school students from under served populations around the Lake Maurepas area with meaningful STEM learning experiences. This program has two primary goals: to increase the number of students ready to pursue STEM degrees and to enhance the STEM literacy of the regional population.

“These young people are the future of our great state,” Leblanc said. “And investments in our young people don’t stop there.”

Air Products employees join leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University to present a $260,000 grant to support the SLU STEM Scholars program. Pictured from left to right are SLU STEM Scholars Program Director Dr. Troy Williams; Air Products Government Relations Manager Stanley Bienemy; Air Products Commercial Executive Director Danna LeBlanc; Southeastern Louisiana University President Dr. William S. Wainwright. and Dean of the SLU College of Science and Technology Dr. Daniel McCarthy.

“This organization is helping children and adults with disabilities realize their full potential,” she said.

Finally, because everyone likes having fun, Air Products sponsored the Hammond Air Show and the Tangipahoa Parish Fair. “We all have to let our hair down once in a while and enjoy these amazing events in our backyard,” LeBlanc said.

“Whether we are bringing a STEM demonstration into a classroom, connecting a future STEM professional with a new educational opportunity, or investing in welfare, healthcare, and emergency response, we are investing in these communities,” LeBlanc said.

Air Products Commercial Executive Director Danna LeBlanc joins the Recreational Fisheries Research Institute (RFRI) team to present a $50,000 check from the Lake Maurepas Community Fund at the group’s RFRI Redfish Brood Stock collection.

Air Products is the only American-owned major industrial gas company in the world, operating in over 50 countries with 23,000 employees. There are 18 operating facilities in Louisiana and 330 employees. The new Louisiana Clean Energy complex will increase the workforce by 50%, adding at least 170 new high-paying jobs with an average salary of $93,000 and creating more than 2,000 construction jobs.

To learn more about the Air Products Lake Maurepas Community Fund and the company’s community giving and volunteer efforts, please visit community.cleanenergylouisiana.com.