The Martin County Community Foundation held its annual dinner and banquet last night at the 4H Center. The evening highlighted both Shoals and Loogootee High Schools STEM programs as Loogootee showcased Loogootee Manufacturing and Shoals put a spotlight on their award-winning robotics program. Brian Smith, representing CRANE, spoke of the importance of these programs and the new CHIPS Act that has passed. Smith said the Federal Government chose Crane to run this new microelectronics and CHIP program, and it is the wave of the future, not just for our servicemen and women but for most electronics we own today. He said numbers show that by the year 2030, we will be short 65 thousand workers needed in the field of semiconductors and microelectronics. Bill and Lisa Bauer of Shoals were awarded the Philanthropist of the Year, and board member Megan Hawkins highlighted over 717 thousand dollars in grants that were awarded this past year through the foundation. Around 200 people enjoyed the evening catered by Carla’s Catering.
