CANTON, Miss. -

It was recently announced that Nissan North America has partnered with BankPlus to award a series of educational grants to local schools in Mississippi.

The grants totaled more than $77,000.

The program, administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson, “distributed 68 grants supporting classroom projects that will be conducted during the 2012–2013 school year in the two districts,” officials explained.

Grant awards range from $500 to $1,500 and support innovative teaching and learning in conjunction with state-mandated curricula.

Moreover, more than 100 teachers and administrators from Madison County and Canton public school districts were recognized at a special awards reception held Aug. 27 at the Nissan vehicle assembly plant in Canton, Miss, the company shared.

"This critical funding will support teachers and administrators who have designed dynamic projects to enhance the overall learning experience in their classrooms," said Dan Bednarzyk, vice president of manufacturing, Canton. 

"Certainly, the most important investment we can make is in the education of our young people. These students represent the hope and future of our community and our country, and we, at Nissan, are excited to be able to play a small role in equipping them with the tools they need to be successful in life,” he continued.

Highlighting the companies’ history with the organization, officials noted Nissan and BankPlus joined the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson in 2007 to create an annual education grant program supporting grades K-12 in Madison County and Canton public school districts of central Mississippi.

“Any teacher, counselor, librarian, principal or other school personnel who works directly with students can apply for a grant,” they continued.

Over the past six years, Nissan has distributed more than $350,000 in grants to Canton and Madison County schools.