Troy-Bilt® And Keep America Beautiful Announce Finalists For $25,000 Taking Root™ Gardening Grant Program

CLEVELAND, March 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Two organizations with a commitment to improving and beautifying communities across the country are pleased to bring back Taking Root™, a gardening grant program introduced last year. Troy-Bilt^®, a leading manufacturer of outdoor power equipment, and Keep America Beautiful (KAB), the nation's leading nonprofit bringing people together to build and sustain vibrant communities, will award five KAB community groups a total of $25,000 in grants and up to $6,500 in Troy-Bilt lawn care products.

KAB-certified affiliates in good standing were invited to apply for the Taking Root grant for a garden-oriented or outdoor beautification project such as starting a community garden, implementing an education program, or embarking on a cleanup effort. Among the applications received, five finalists were selected and announced today on takingroot.troybilt.com.

The public is encouraged to learn about each project and vote for a favorite on the Taking Root voting site by May 25, 2014. The organization with the most votes will receive a $12,000 cash grant, plus up to $2,000 in Troy-Bilt products. The finalist with the second most votes will be rewarded with an $8,000 grant and up to $1,500 in equipment, and the finalist with the third most votes will be rewarded with a $5,000 grant and up to $1,000 in equipment. The remaining finalists will receive Troy-Bilt products.

The five finalists, in alphabetical order, are:

• Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful, Milwaukee, Wis.
• Keep Greenwood County Beautiful, Greenwood, S.C.
• Keep North Platte and Lincoln Co. Beautiful, North Platte, Neb.
• Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Tampa, Fla.
• Newport News Public Works Recycling, Newport News, Va.

"We are excited to bring Taking Root back for the second year with five organizations that are making a real difference in their communities," said Barbara Roueche, senior marketing communications manager for Troy-Bilt. "From community gardens to youth education and building up neighborhoods, this year's finalists exemplify our shared commitment with Keep America Beautiful to improve and beautify communities across the country."

Voters also will be entered into a sweepstakes, accruing one entry per day, to win a Lowe's® gift card and a cash donation on their behalf to a KAB affiliate. The prizes and donations will increase in value as the total number of votes increase.

"Keep America Beautiful's affiliates and partnering organizations help create communities that are socially connected, environmentally healthy and economically sound by establishing community gardens along with other greening and beautification initiatives," said Jennifer M. Jehn, president and CEO, Keep America Beautiful. "Thanks to our long-standing partnership with Troy-Bilt and the Taking Root grant program, Keep America Beautiful is able to further accomplish meaningful and lasting impact in the communities we serve."

Taking Root voting will close at 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 25, 2014, and the winner will be announced on or around May 27.

About Troy-Bilt

In 1937, Troy-Bilt^® introduced the first American-made rototiller and since then has expanded its legendary expertise and durable product line to create a complete selection of the industry's finest lawn and garden tools. The company's award-winning product line includes top-quality tractors, mowers, tillers, cultivators, trimmers, snow throwers and a variety of outdoor power tools. Troy-Bilt machines are built to last and engineered to take on the toughest challenges to make jobs simpler and safer. For more information, visit troybilt.com or Troy-Bilt's Facebook Page.

About Keep America Beautiful

Keep America Beautiful is the nation's leading nonprofit that brings people together to build and sustain vibrant communities. With a powerful national network of community-based affiliates and participating organizations, we work with millions of volunteers who take action in their communities. Through our programs and public-private partnerships, we engage individuals to take greater responsibility for improving their community's environment. For more information, visit kab.org, follow @kabtweet on Twitter and like us on facebook.com/keepamericabeautiful.

SOURCE Troy-Bilt