COFIELD – Santa arrived just a bit earlier than expected.

Nucor Steel-Hertford announced Dec. 16 that it is donating $100,000 to help the Hertford County Public School System to purchase equipment and provide training as part of the school district’s effort to implement the North Carolina Digital Learning Plan.

The donation, which will be given over a five-year period, will help provide equipment such as computers and 3-D printers, along with teacher professional development.

“We are very excited to support Hertford County Public Schools as they implement the state’s digital learning plan.  Technology is transforming both the classroom and workplaces.  Having access to the latest technology will enhance Hertford County students’ educational experience and better prepare them for future careers,” said Bob McCracken, Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel-Hertford.

North Carolina legislators have passed several pieces of legislation to transition schools to digital learning, including moving from textbooks to digital materials that are aligned with curriculum, and developing and implementing standards for teachers and school administrators.

“We are grateful for the financial support Nucor is providing to help our school district implement North Carolina’s Digital Learning Program. This equipment will create new learning opportunities for our students and ensure that as a school district we are preparing them for a world in which technology is fundamentally changing how we lead our daily lives, both at work and at home,” said Dr. Michael D. Perry, Superintendent of the Hertford County Public School System.

Nucor Steel-Hertford is part of Nucor Corp, the largest steel producer in the United States, with a production capacity of 27 million tons per year.  The company is also North America’s largest recycler, recycling over 19 million tons of scrap steel, turning it into new steel products.  Nucor employs over 22,000 teammates at approximately 200 facilities, which are primarily located in the U.S. and Canada.  The company produces a wide range of steel products including carbon and alloy steel – in bars, beams, sheet and plate; steel joists and joist girders; steel deck; fabricated concrete reinforcing steel; cold finished steel; steel fasteners; metal building systems; steel grating and expanded metal; and wire and wire mesh.