News release from the University of Saint Francis:
USF Selected to Receive Solar Energy Grant
The University of Saint Francis is one of four Fort Wayne locations to receive more than $88,000 in solar energy grants.
(July 8, 2015) — The Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (IACED) has announced that four locations in Fort Wayne will construct new solar energy projects thanks to grant funding totaling $88,732.50 made available by the Solar Uniting Neighbors (SUN) Program. The SUN Program was created in 2014 to offer technical and financial assistance to install small solar projects in the Indiana Michigan (I&M) Power electric service territory. Fort Wayne grant recipients include:
- University of Saint Francis
- Franklin Park, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department
- McMillen Park, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department
- Shoaff Park, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department
Fort Wayne’s new solar energy projects will reduce organizational costs while increasing use of sustainable, renewable energy resources – both of which are consistent with the IACED Theory of Change.
Dr. Paul Schmidt, Associate Professor of Physics, will be leading the University of Saint Francis project. He said, “This is a very exciting time for the University of Saint Francis and we are honored and pleased to be awarded this grant to help install and promote renewable energy.”
One of IACED’s strategic plan goals is to marshal investments for comprehensive community development strategies across the member network. The SUN Program is aligned with this goal. Executive Director Andy Fraizer said, “IACED believes thriving resilient families and vibrant, connected communities are the hallmarks of prosperity.”
Funding for the SUN Program was the result of a legal settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, eight states, thirteen citizens groups and American Electric Power (AEP), I&M’s parent company. The settlement included an agreement by AEP to invest $2.5 million to improve air quality in Indiana through various projects. The AEP settlement monies are overseen by an oversight committee that includes Citizens Action Coalition, Hoosier Environmental Council, Indiana Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club and the Environmental Law & Policy Center. Sustainable Catalyst Partners, LLC designed and implemented the SUN program and the Arnold Group provided technical assistance.
IACED supports a network of organizations that builds vital communities and resilient families. Members create adaptive prosperity throughout Indiana. IACED’s work builds capacity and invests capital across the membership network. As a statewide community economic development intermediary, IACED provides capacity, financial resources, expertise, and connections that make community development work in Indiana.
About the University of Saint Francis
The University of Saint Francis is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2015. Founded in 1890 as a comprehensive university in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, USF offers more than 80 undergraduate and graduate programs through the School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership and School of Creative Arts. In addition to its traditional programs, the university designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. The university will open a Downtown Fort Wayne Campus in the fall of 2016 that will feature business, entrepreneurship and music technology programs. Currently 2,300 students from a broad geographic region attend USF for its academic excellence.
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