Poettker Construction awards grants and scholarships through NextGen
Poettker Construction recently awarded six $500 grants to elementary schools and four $500 scholarships to high school seniors through the company’s NextGen program.
Rooted in its “Community Engagement Core Value” and dedication to educating students and teachers about construction, Poettker Construction founded its NextGen community outreach program to support hands-on learning, student resources, and future workforce development.
“At Poettker, we believe early exposure to construction, along with hands-on learning, inspires students and supports the future of our industry and communities,” said Jon Carroll, executive vice president and COO at Poettker Construction. “Through NextGen, we’re blessed to support schools with resources that enhance student learning and to recognize the next generation of construction professionals. These grants and scholarships reflect our commitment to making a meaningful impact where we live and work.”
NextGen offers school grants and student scholarships to Poettker’s Construction Management clients.
The education programs receiving 2026 NextGen grants include:
- Aviston Elementary School’s accessible and inclusive library for students with physical, communication, and developmental disabilities
- Central School District 104’s Girls Emerging as Women Leaders (GEWL) store with essential toiletries and supplies for students in need
- Litchfield Elementary School’s Science Olympiad program for training to compete against surrounding schools
- Litchfield Early Childhood Center’s STEM kits for kindergartners and first graders
- Richland County Early Learning Center’s STEM bridge building project
- Pana Elementary School’s Science Olympiad program and Family Literacy Night
Poettker’s official announcement further noted that the company prides itself on preparing the next generation of leaders.
This year, Poettker awarded scholarships to the following high school students planning to pursue a college degree or trade school certification in construction or a related field:
- Ethan Habermehl, a senior at Columbia High School, planning to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- Owen Menke, also a senior at Columbia High School, interested in exploring Construction Management at Missouri State University
- Titan Hires, a senior at Litchfield High School, preparing for a Business Management degree from Rockford University
- Zachary Duffie, a senior at Freeburg High School, committed to a Construction Management degree from Southeast Missouri State University
NextGen also serves as a platform for educating students about the industry. Poettker hosts project site tours for students and faculty, engages students in hands-on STEM activities, conducts drone demonstrations, and hosts important construction milestone events, such as groundbreakings and ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
Photos provided by Poettker Construction.
About Poettker Construction
Established in 1980, Poettker Construction is an award-winning, family-owned business specializing in construction management, design/build, general contracting, and self-perform services with an emphasis on exceeding the client’s expectations. Poettker Construction is dedicated to providing safe, quality, sustainable, and technology solutions to clients in a diverse portfolio of markets. The company prides itself on building long-lasting relationships with their clients, business partners and the communities in which they work, with an impressive 88 percent of Poettker’s revenue stemming from repeat clients. For more information, visit poettkerconstruction.com/.
