POET Bioprocessing – Glenville awards $13,000 in community impact grants - Albert Lea Tribune

POET Bioprocessing – Glenville awards $13,000 in community impact grants

Published 8:00 pm Tuesday, July 1, 2025

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POET Plant Manager Josh Karaus and General Manager Russ Germann present Walters Fire Chief Brady Krohnberg a grant for the department. Provided

POET Plant Manager Josh Karaus and General Manager Russ Germann present a check for Glenville-Emmons youth sports to coach Matt Ziebell and several sports participants. Provided

POET Plant Manager Josh Karaus and General Manager Russ Germann present a check to Glenville-Emmons PTC member Karissa Studier and three students. Provided

POET Plant Manager Josh Karaus and General Manager Russ Germann present a check for the Community Sew Day to Kathy Quinn, Diane Marlin and Lona Berg. Provided

POET Plant Manager Josh Karaus and General Manager Russ Germann present a check to Area Learning Center teacher Andrew Gustafson. Provided

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POET Bioprocessing – Glenville awarded $13,000 in grants to five local organizations. The funds were donated through POET’s 2025 Community Impact Grant Program, which awards grants to a variety of causes throughout the more than 30 communities in which the company operates.

Walters Fire Department was awarded $4,000 toward replacing outdated emergency safety gear.

The Albert Lea Learning Center received $3,000 to purchase and install a washing machine and dryer for students who face barriers to accessing clean clothes due to housing instability, poverty or other personal challenges.

Glenville-Emmons PTC was awarded $2,500 to help purchase new playground equipment for the elementary school.

Community Sew Day received $2,000 to purchase supplies needed to create the quilts, pillowcases, personal hygiene bags, quilted camp bags, shopping bags, aprons, crib sheets and little girl dresses that are donated across the local community, state and overseas.

The Glenville-Emmons Youth Sports received $1,500 to purchase protective gear for the youth sports program.

“POET is proud of our local roots,” said Russ Germann, general manager of POET Bioprocessing – Glenville. “We strive every day to make the world a better place, and we’re excited to support these organizations as they give back to our community in numerous, life-changing ways.”

Through POET’s annual Community Impact Grant Program, individuals and organizations are invited to apply for funding for projects aimed at changing their community for the better. The next grant cycle will open in the spring of 2026. For more information, visit poet.com/grants.