Month: July 2023

July 10, 2023 /3BL/ – For the second year in a row, Lowe’s asked people from across the country to nominate community revitalization projects close to their hearts for a Lowe’s Hometowns grant.

After reviewing the nominations, 100 were chosen as part of the company’s largest-ever community impact program – a five-year, $100 million commitment to rebuild and revitalize community spaces nationwide and give back to the communities where we live and work.

Lowe’s Hometowns projects were selected from 94 communities across 41 states and Washington, D.C., and will tackle community-specific needs ranging from housing to parks and from cultural preservation to veterans’ services. The funding will benefit 34 community centers, 23 housing organizations, seven community gardens, four food pantries and much more.

Watch Lowe’s Hometowns grant recipients react to the news.

Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s chairman and CEO, called it “an honor to support the Lowe’s Hometowns projects.” Each one will receive funding to support their specific needs, along with hands-on support from Lowe’s red vest associates. Together with staff from each grant recipient, we’ll make physical improvements that help each organization improve their facilities, which helps enhance the services they offer.

One parks project was nominated by none other than Lionel Richie, pop music icon and American Idol judge. The Tuskegee, Alabama native who’s won four Grammy Awards proposed converting an undeveloped plot of land in his hometown into a vibrant outdoor community space. Directly across from the historic Tuskegee University, “Hello Park” – named after Richie’s 1984 hit that reached number one on three Billboard charts – will encourage residents and visitors to gather, connect with nature and embrace Tuskegee’s history.

“My hometown of Tuskegee has inspired and impacted me all my life,” said Richie. “I love the people, culture and natural beauty of our little town, so my hope is that Hello Park will become a special venue for our community to share in honoring our history and heritage. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of Lowe’s Hometowns to uplift communities nationwide, this dream will soon become a reality.”

A few of the 100 projects to receive funding this year include:

Renovations to support homeless services at Room In The Inn in NashvilleBuilding an inclusive space for deaf and hard-of-hearing children at Aid the Silent in San AntonioCreating a grocery store-style space for the Community Food Basket in Idaho FallsInstalling new garage doors and flooring at the Wedington Volunteer Fire Department in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Lowe’s impact partner in this work is Points of Light, a national nonprofit organization that partners with Lowe’s to support each project from beginning to end.

Points of Light Interim President and CEO Diane Quest said, “We know nonprofits in the U.S. rely on varying sources of funds to sustain and grow their services, and large grants like Lowe’s Hometowns can be transformational. Last year’s Lowe’s Hometowns projects tremendously impacted more than a million people in communities throughout the U.S., providing direct services to individuals and creating multi-year capacity and infrastructure for nonprofits. These investments … have a ripple effect and create long-term, positive change that enriches the lives of residents, families and the community for generations.”

More than 1.4 million people, including children, seniors, veterans, first responders and more, benefitted last year from the 100 inaugural Lowe’s Hometowns projects.

Visit Lowes.com/hometowns and follow #LowesHometowns on social media for more on this year’s projects. To learn more about Lowe’s commitment to communities, visit Lowes.com/OurCommunities.

BOWIE, Md., July 10, 2023 /3BL/ – Commercial furniture solutions company Installnet has earned a Top Product of the Year award from Environment + Energy Leader for Ecoserv, its rapidly growing circular decommission program for surplus commercial furniture, fixtures and equipment. The award recongnizes Installnet as a global leader in energy or environmental management.

Ecoserv provides the processes, standards and metrics needed to recirculate workspace assets in a way that delivers value to companies and the community, without harming the environment. As dramatic changes in workspaces and work styles prompted by the pandemic became more permanent and interest in sustainability grew, Ecoserv has grown rapidly.

Since the program began in 2012, it has diverted more than 42 million pounds of waste from landfills. Some of the items were sold for reuse or recycled. Others were donated to Ecoserv’s network of more than 2,500 non-profit and community groups ranging from domestic violence shelters to public safety organizations and veterans groups in all 50 states and Canada.

The achievements of Installnet’s Ecoserv program captured the attention of the program’s distinguished panel of judges. One judge said: “An innovative approach to excess waste, specifically in response to the change of office furniture needs during/post COVID-19. Has diverted a significant amount of waste from landfills, and returns them into the economy.” Another judge added, “The Ecoserv program is doing a great job upscaling its streamlined circular decommission program of surplus assets and landfill waste diversion.”

The Environment + Energy Leader Awards program aims to commend excellence in products and projects that deliver significant energy and environmental benefits.

“Our mission is helping businesses and communities prosper and that means finding sustainability solutions that scale globally, while also serving local communities,” said Dale Ewing, CEO of Installnet. “We are honored to receive this recognition in partnership with our customers and service providers. Getting zero done is an audacious, but achievable goal.”

Sarah Roberts, Co-President of E+E Leader, emphasized the rigorous selection process, stating, “This year’s entrants had to surpass an exceptionally high bar to qualify for an award, thanks to a seasoned and discerning judging panel as well as stringent judging criteria.”

About Installnet: 
Installnet provides professional project management services in the United States and Canada. Our network of over 350 highly-qualified independent furniture installation companies provide exceptional service in more than 100 major markets. Our custom solutions range from Ecoserv, an award-winning circular decommission program to Installhub, a self-serve platform of installers.

About the Environment + Energy Leader Awards: 
For over a decade, the Environment + Energy Leader Awards have celebrated excellence in the world of environmental, sustainability and energy management. Award recipients are acknowledged as industry leaders, and featuring a Top Project or Top Product of the Year Award badge signifies their outstanding contributions. Companies seeking sustainable and energy management solutions trust that E+E Product of the Year Award winners offer a comprehensive array of vetted products to guide their decision-making. Project of the Year Award winners exemplify how sustainability and energy management projects can successfully enhance the profitability of other companies. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 
Jessica Clark, Marketing Manager, jclark@installnet.com, 240.260.3458