Pulaski County, Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation awarded $250,000 Municipal Investment Fund Grant for Job Training, Capital Improvements
Pulaski County and Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF) have been selected to receive $250,000 in funding from the Municipal Investment Fund (MIF) to support the financing of energy efficiency improvements in buildings, as well as job training for building tradespeople. Nationwide, Pulaski County is one of 50 communities selected from a pool of 114 applicants, and the only recipient from Arkansas. The MIF was launched by the Coalition for Green Capital (CGC) and ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI USA) to empower communities to use public/private investing to accelerate the development and construction of smart infrastructure projects across the country.
“This grant is an important step forward in our work to make Pulaski County stronger, more sustainable, and more affordable for everyone,” said County Judge Barry Hyde. “By working with AAEF, ICLEI, and our local partners, we’re giving businesses the resources to modernize, save on energy costs, and plan for the future; and preparing individuals for competitive jobs with family-sustaining wages in their own communities.”
Pulaski County, in partnership with AAEF, will use the funding to accelerate two aligned initiatives that are strategic investments in the local economy and Arkansas’ energy availability and affordability. MIF dollars will go toward expanding uptake of a financing mechanism called C-PACE for building improvement projects centered around energy efficiency, alternative energy, building resiliency, and water conservation; and to support workforce development for advanced energy jobs with employers, job seekers, training institutions and community-based organizations. Together, the MIF funding supports the goal of establishing a pipeline of shovel-ready and highly energy efficient building projects and growing the skilled local workforce to bring those projects to completion.
“Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation is honored to partner with Pulaski County to empower area businesses, developers, nonprofits and schools with the knowledge and tools to identify, prioritize, and invest in upgrades and renovations that will improve energy efficiency and lower utility costs,” says Lauren Waldrip AAEF Executive Director. “This work aligns with our mission to increase public understanding of the impact of energy investments on Arkansans, paving the way for thriving communities that are affordable and future-ready.”
Pulaski County was selected by ICLEI USA because of the potential impacts that the projects would have directly for the community as well as the expected attractiveness the project would have for both future grants and private investments. "This grant is going to make a real difference for companies like ours," said JD Poole, Vice President of Special Projects & Marketing at Seal Solar, a Pulaski County-based company specializing in solar installation and maintenance. "C-PACE helps more of our clients move forward with energy projects that might’ve been out of reach before. That means more work for our crews and more opportunity to grow. At the same time, AAEF’s workforce program is helping build a pool of trained workers who are ready to hit the ground running. It’s a win for our company, our employees, and the folks we serve.”
Richard Kauffman, the CEO of the Coalition for Green Capital, said, “We are honored to provide funding to communities across the United States under the MIF program so they can take initial steps toward bringing America clean, affordable energy in this time of crisis. We congratulate the winners of this vigorous competition. They are real heroes.”
Businesses and organizations in Pulaski County with an interest in energy efficiency are encouraged to engage with the programs being funded by the MIF grant: help identify building upgrade projects that are well-suited for C-PACE financing; check to see if your own property is eligible for C-PACE financing; and recruit, train and upskill employees to work on energy efficiency projects. Job seekers are also encouraged to connect with AAEF via the SkillSeekers program to participate in training programs.
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About Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation:
The Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation (AAEF), the educational affiliate of the Arkansas Advanced Energy Association (AAEA), fosters public understanding of advanced energy in Arkansas through research, public education, and economic and workforce development initiatives.
AAEF is committed to informing energy policy discussions with fact-based, data-driven insights on Arkansas’s advanced energy economy. By offering a platform for state industry and government leaders to address the state’s future energy challenges, AAEF promotes collaboration, innovation, and entrepreneurship within the advanced energy sector.