FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., Aug. 15, 2012 – The American Electric Power Foundation has announced a $38,000 grant to the University of Arkansas Foundation to fund improvements to the Polk County 4-H Education Center in Mena, Ark.

The Foundation is funded by American Electric Power (NYSE: AEP) and its utility operating units, including Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), which serves approximately 114,000 customers in western Arkansas.

“We are pleased to present this grant of $38,000 to support youth and adult education and enrichment in Polk County,” said Brian Bond, SWEPCO vice president of External Affairs. “The Polk County Cooperative Extension Service will use the AEP Foundation funds to purchase the remaining materials to complete construction of the Polk County 4-H Education Center. This building will provide a versatile space to meet many needs in the community.”

The American Electric Power Foundation provides a permanent, ongoing resource for charitable initiatives involving higher dollar values and multi-year commitments in the communities served by AEP and initiatives outside of AEP’s 11-state service area.

The Foundation’s areas of focus include special emphasis on improving lives through education from early childhood through higher education, protecting the environment, providing basic human services in the areas of hunger, housing, health and safety, and enriching life through art, music and cultural heritage.

The Foundation is based in Columbus, Ohio.

Southwestern Electric Power Company serves 521,600 customers in three states, including 113,650 in western Arkansas, 227,300 in Louisiana and 180,650 in Texas. SWEPCO’s headquarters are in Shreveport, La. For more information, visit www.swepco.com