Viewing Grant Proposal: North End Woodward Community Coalition_Community Solar Trust

GLREA has been working with Rev. Joan Ross and the North End Woodward Community Coalition for a number of years. We wholeheartedly support this Project to develop a Community Solar project to bring down electrical energy expenditures for low and moderate income families in the North End Woodard area of Detroit. The North End Woodward Community Coalition has been working to bring solar and the benefits of lower costing electricity to families that spend a large proportion of their monthly income on high utility bills. GLREA strongly believes that if this Proposal is funded, it will be successful in bringing about the project outcomes and it could become a model for other similar type projects. GLREA stands ready to provide support to the North End Community Coalition, if called upon, to help support this Project. Thank-you.

The Cathedral has been working with Rev Ross and NEWCC on several initiatives to benefit the people who live in the North End of Detroit including offering free WiFi and Solar Power to our neighbors in need. This is a great opportunity for many of our neighbors who cannot afford to install these systems on their own.

This grant is important as it addresses rising energy costs which many low income people cannot afford. Ms Ross apparently has had some success with previous solar projects. Several communities in the North End are involved. The fact that it helps individuals verses an Already established entity is very positive as the benefit will be seen directly and can be a model for future projects. There are certainly many worthy grants but this goes right to the people!

NEWCC has a longstanding, proven, and positive impact on the community it serves. It has been a leader in providing access to fast, affordable internet thereby helping to bridge the digital divide in under-resourced neighborhoods. NEWCC recognized, early on, that solar power should be harnessed and distributed to ensure community members can safely keep their lights on and charge their phones when the traditional power source goes out - and it goes out a LOT. NEWCC understands that solar power and internet access ensure a critically important lifeline of connection and information when it is needed most by folks in the community. The leadership of NEWCC has a longstanding and verifiable commitment to community service that uplifts and empowers. NEWCC's Community Solar Trust is worth of substantial investment.

I am writing to express my enthusiastic support for NEWCC's commendable project to establish a Community Solar Trust in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. The initiative's commitment to sustainability, community empowerment, and affordable energy is truly inspiring. The implementation of a 500 kWh solar system across four partner locations is a significant step towards building a more resilient and eco-friendly energy infrastructure. By providing these hubs the opportunity to purchase solar-generated electricity at a 10% discount off the conventional rate, your project not only promotes the use of clean energy but also makes it more accessible to a broader range of community members. Moreover, the innovative approach of reinvesting revenue from electricity sales directly into the households under 80% AMI is a game-changer. The decision to issue monthly checks covering 50% of electricity bills for subscribers demonstrates a genuine commitment to alleviating the financial burden on residents. This not only promotes economic sustainability but also ensures that the benefits of solar energy are felt at the grassroots level. I believe that your project not only contributes to the reduction of carbon footprints but also fosters a sense of community ownership and shared prosperity. The collaborative effort between NEWCC and the local communities is a model for sustainable development, and I wholeheartedly endorse your vision. I am thankful to NEWCC for their dedication to making a positive impact on the environment, supporting local communities, and creating a more affordable and sustainable energy future. I look forward to witnessing the positive outcomes of this transformative initiative.

This project by NEWCC represents a commendable effort to promote community-driven sustainability and equitable access to renewable energy in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park. By establishing a Community Solar Trust and distributing the benefits among various locations, it not only expands solar infrastructure but also directly addresses the energy cost burden for low-income households. The 10% discount on solar-generated electricity and the monthly checks to cover a significant portion of electricity bills for subscribers under 80% AMI demonstrate a great approach to inclusive energy solutions. This is particularly important as low-income households spend three times more for utilities than those with higher income levels and spend up to 20 percent of their earnings on energy costs, greatly impacting their ability to cover basic needs like food, shelter, and medical expenses. Overall, this initiative serves as a model for leveraging renewable resources to benefit multiple stakeholder groups while fostering community resilience and empowerment. This is a commendable example of how community organizations can work towards a more equitable and sustainable energy future. Furthermore, I commend Rev. Ross and NEWCC for remaining diligent and working for the betterment of communities that need so much support.

I hope and pray that the RE-EIED will award NEWCC this grant. I have watched NEWCC serve the community for years, providing critical services during crucial times. During the COVID-19 pandemic NEWCC was the only organization that I know of who provided free high-speed internet service to low-income families. More than 50% of the students in our community had no access to the internet when the pandemic started, NEWCC helped families and students get access to the internet. NEWCC knows how to get vital services to the right people, they have years of experience in finding resources and distributing them to the people who need them most. When our senior citizens were left behind by the great migration to online meetings and appointments, NEWCC stepped up and trained seniors in our community to use the computer to go to their doctor appointments. They even provided seniors who truly needed it with free laptop computers. This organization has been such an amazing blessing to our community that it cannot be overstated. At every turn, when they were needed most, they were there. This grant will help them continue their track record of successful management and implementation of resources in one of the most underserved communities in the country. Their impact is of the highest magnitude, and with climate change coming faster than ever, solar energy is the way of the future. This grant will allow NEWCC to continue their history of providing imperative services during crucial times to help people who are unable to help themselves. Please award NEWCC this grant. We need them, and they need you.

NEWCC under the leadership of Reverend Joan Ross has had a positive impact on the community it serves for decades. NEWCC has been a leader in providing access to fast, affordable internet thereby helping to bridge the digital divide in under-resourced neighborhoods. NEWCC recognized, early on, that solar power should be harnessed and distributed to ensure community members can safely keep their lights on and charge their phones when the traditional power source goes out. NEWCC understands that solar power and internet access ensure a critically important lifeline of connection and information when it is needed most by folks in the community. The leadership of NEWCC has a longstanding and verifiable commitment to community service that uplifts and empowers. NEWCC's Community Solar Trust is worth of substantial investment. I strongly support this project and couldn't be more proud to provide a comment for NEWCC.

The dedicated team at NEWCC have been a staple of opportunity and loyalty for residents in the North End of Detroit for several years. Wayne Metro CAA has partnered with NEWCC on a number of projects, including workforce initiatives for not only adults, but also youth. We fully support NEWCC’s project that will increase the solar energy infrastructure while lowering the electricity cost burden for multiple stakeholder groups. This is a wonderful opportunity for residents in that reside in Hamtramck, Highland Park and Detroit to benefit from lower utility bills, which normally take a large portion of their income. I admire Rev. Ross and her NEWCC team for their forward thinking and understanding of what benefits solar energy can provide to our local communities. I'm proud to offer our support on this project. If awarded, the team at NEWCC will deliver beyond measure. They are an outstanding team!

Detroit People's Platform has worked with Rev Ross and North End Woodward Community Coalition (NEWCC) for nearly a decade and a half. Rev Ross and her team have successfully initiated and stewarded innovative projects like the only area community radio station, community land trust and the equitable internet service serving hundreds of low income households in need of broadband services. The Community Solar Trust offers the opportunity to mitigate the energy burden experienced by low income Black and people of color households in the three targeted communities of Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. In addition, as a trusted and proven front line provider Rev Ross and her team will bring to these communities access to emerging and alternative energy resources. The community solar trust in addition to a new form of equitable energy services will also inspire education of residents who then are positioned to support future polices that enhance these alternative energy opportunities.