NEW Fortress Energy Foundation, the philanthropic arm of New Fortress Energy (NFE), has won the prestigious Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Social Impact Award from the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce & Industry for its contribution towards youth education and community development for the year 2024.

The announcement was made during the chamber’s 92nd Annual Awards Banquet, held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, under the theme

“Champions of Commerce: Celebrating Business Inclusivity.”

Oral Heaven, president of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in extending heartfelt congratulations to New Fortress Energy, said: “Since its inception in Jamaica, the New Fortress Energy Foundation has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to impactful change. The chamber has witnessed first-hand the dedication of this organisation, particularly in its support of education, health care, and vulnerable families, even during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts have significantly bolstered communities across Jamaica, providing invaluable aid during critical times.”

He added: “On behalf of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the wider business community in St James, I extend our warmest congratulations to New Fortress Energy on this well-deserved recognition. Your work continues to exemplify corporate social responsibility at the highest level and sets a benchmark for others to emulate.”

New Fortress Energy started its operations in Jamaica in 2015 with its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Bogue, Montego Bay. Since then, the LNG provider, through its foundation, has invested close to $250 million in educational programmes alone, including its tertiary engineering/STEM scholarship for students at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), and Caribbean Maritime University (CMU); bursaries for high school students and financial aid support for primary and secondary students, donation of more than 500 tablets, laptops and smartphones to students during the COVID-19 pandemic, plus sponsorship of mathematics and robotics competitions, among several other STEM-related activities.

This academic year, New Fortress Energy awarded tertiary scholarships valued more than $49 million to 60 tertiary students. In the area of community development, the foundation’s philanthropic footprint includes investing more than $150 million to date in the refurbishing of schools, supporting hundreds of PATH families and shut-ins with food packages at the end of the year and during the pandemic as well as recognising and rewarding outstanding performances in employees in health, entrepreneurship and teaching professions.

Verona Carter, vice-president, New Fortress Energy, in accepting the award, said; “I am deeply honoured to accept this prestigious award on behalf of our CEO and founder Wes Edens, and every single employee at NFE. I would also like to recognise all the other nominees for the great work they do, as well.

“At NFE, we take our commitment to Jamaica’s economic development seriously, and investing in our youth is fundamental in building a sustainable nation. Our mission is to help bridge the gap for those students who are brilliant, high achievers with huge potential, but who simply cannot afford critical resources to complete their education. We are also particularly proud of the work we have been doing in exposing tertiary students to LNG through our internship programme and our cryogenic engineering course at The UWI. It has, therefore, been tremendously rewarding to see engineers, doctors, lawyers and Rhodes scholars emerging from our fully funded scholarship programmme at The UWI, UTech and CMU. We are so very proud of their achievements and the bright future that is ahead of them.”

Other nominees recognised in this category includeed Wards Power Tools and Supplies, Sandals Foundation, National Supply Company Limited and Gateway Co-operative Credit Union.

The Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s annual awards banquet is one of the most anticipated business leader events in western Jamaica, which brings together business leaders, government officials and community members to celebrate achievements across various sectors.