American Energy Stories

American Energy Stories

Uncategorized

Arizona farmer creates jobs by reviving meat processing facility in small mining town

The Heartquists purchased the 120-acre butchering facility with a USDA farm loan and quickly realized that it needed attention. The land wasn’t in great condition, and the equipment needed to be upgraded.Using free grant writing guidance from Local First Arizona’s Economic Resource Center, the Heartquists received a $200,000 USDA grant to renovate the facility as part of the American Rescue Plan Act, a stimulus package approved by Congress in 2021.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:35-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Federal grants to boost property cleanups in Superior

Federal grants have been awarded to boost property cleanups in Superior, focusing on revitalizing contaminated sites and promoting sustainable redevelopment. The funding aims to support local efforts in assessing, cleaning up, and repurposing brownfield sites, which are properties complicated by the presence of hazardous substances. This initiative is expected to enhance community resilience and environmental health in the region. The grants will also help address climate change impacts by incorporating climate-smart planning and equitable development strategies. Overall, the project seeks to transform these areas into safe, sustainable spaces for the community.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:35-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Community-Owned Resilience Hub Unveiled at Critical Time for West Atlanta Community

Groundswell, a community power nonprofit, unveiled one of Georgia's first community-owned resilience hubs at Community Church in West Atlanta. This hub, powered by solar energy and battery storage, can provide up to three days of backup power for critical services during power outages and severe weather. The project was completed in partnership with several organizations, including Stryten Energy, InterUrban Solar, and the City of Atlanta’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience. The hub's financing leveraged federal tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act, ensuring the church's debt-free ownership. This initiative aims to enhance local resilience and reduce energy burdens in the community.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:35-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Rural manufacturer expands competitive capacity with renewable energy grant

It is not a stretch to say that Adam Schaller, a hardworking business owner who operates Lakeshore Die Cast with his dad, is somewhat of a trendsetter in southwest Michigan’s quaint Village of Baroda. What began for Schaller a few years ago with a desire to mitigate a tax burden and reduce fixed costs has evolved into a solar-powered domino effect across the town of fewer than 1,000 residents.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:34-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Cocopah Indian Tribe turns convention and entertainment center into solar-powered revenue generator

The Cocopah Indian Tribe was prepared to cover the costs of building a solar farm to serve its rural Arizona reservation. But by working with a grant writer from Local First Arizona, the tribe received $5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to cover the bulk of the costs for the project.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:34-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Dixie County Public Schools Debut New Electric School Buses

Dixie County Public Schools (DCPS) is excited to announce the deployment of 23 new electric school buses, making it one of the largest electric school bus fleets in Florida. Funded by a $9 million rebate from the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean School Bus Program, this initiative marks a major step forward in the district's efforts to improve air quality and reduce emissions.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:33-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

These high-tech windows fight climate change – and will save you money

And since LuxWall is manufacturing its product in America, it was also able to claim a $31.7 million grant from a division of the Department of Energy intended to bolster domestic supply chains. That grant will support construction of a new factory in Detroit, while the Series B pays for expanded production at the existing facility in Litchfield, about 100 miles west of Motor City.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:33-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Arizona getting outsized investments in semiconductors under Biden agenda – Intel

Arizona has received or is slated to get $15.4 billion in federal funding under various initiatives, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the American Rescue Plan. Corporations and businesses have pledged $120.9 billion in related investments, primarily in semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Notably, Intel plans to invest $20 billion in Chandler.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:33-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Arizona getting outsized investments in semiconductors under Biden agenda – Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.

Arizona has received or is slated to get $15.4 billion in federal funding under various initiatives, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the American Rescue Plan. Corporations and businesses have pledged $120.9 billion in related investments, primarily in semiconductor manufacturing facilities. Notably ... Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is constructing three semiconductor factories in north Phoenix, representing the largest corporate investment in the state’s history.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:33-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments

Gila River Indian Community solar panel-over-canal project powers up on a hot October day

The Gila River Indian Community has launched an innovative project to install solar panels over a canal, aiming to generate clean energy while preserving water resources. This initiative is part of their broader commitment to sustainability and renewable energy. The project is expected to provide significant environmental benefits and serve as a model for other communities. By combining solar power with water conservation, the Gila River Indian Community is taking a holistic approach to addressing climate change. This project highlights the potential for innovative solutions to contribute to a more sustainable future.

By |2025-08-27T10:02:33-04:00August 27th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments