KeyBank Provides $33.7 Million of Financing for New Affordable Housing in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, June 26, 2025 /3BL/ – KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) provided a $12 million construction loan and invested $16.1 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity for the construction of Churchill Gateway II, 70-unit affordable housing family project located at 10526 Churchill Avenue, in Cleveland, OH. KeyBank Commercial Mortgage Group also arranged an $5.6 million Freddie Mac permanent loan for the project. Churchill Gateway also has state and local support and received an additional $1.75 million in funding from Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

Churchill Gateway II is the second phase of the anchor development along the East 105th corridor, creating a connection between the Glenville neighborhood to the north and the job center at University Circle to the south. Churchill Gateway Phase II will provide much-needed high-quality affordable housing in the fast-growing Glenville neighborhood of Cleveland. This project will consist of one, 4-story building with one-, two- and three-bedroom units for residents earning 30-60% of the area median income and will contain nineteen units supported by project-based subsidies.

The sponsor, The NRP Group, is one of the nation’s top multifamily real estate developers, general contractors, and property management firms in the United States. Headquartered in Cleveland, The NRP Group is ranked nationally as one of the top twenty affordable housing developers by the National Multifamily Housing Council (#11) affordable housing developers by Affordable Housing Finance (#4), a leading industry publication.

Supportive Services will be provided by the May Dugan Center, a certified refugee resettlement agency, whose services include assisting refugees, recent immigrants and new Americans secure housing. As prospective tenants of the project, the May Dugan Center will help these individuals and families navigate the application and leasing process.

Seaver Rickert and Ryan Olman of KeyBank CDLI structured the financing. Robbie Lynn of KeyBank CMG arranged the permanent loan.

About KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment 

KeyBank Community Development Lending and Investment (CDLI) finances projects that stabilize and revitalize communities across all 50 states. As one of the top affordable housing capital providers in the country, KeyBank’s platform brings together construction, acquisition, bridge-to-re-syndication, and preservation loans, as well as lines of credit, Agency and HUD permanent mortgage executions, and equity investments for low-income housing projects, especially Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) financing. KeyBank has earned 11 consecutive “Outstanding” ratings on the Community Reinvestment Act exam, from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, making it the first U.S. national bank among the 25 largest to do so since the Act’s passage in 1977.

About KeyCorp 

In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $189 billion at March 31, 2025.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

About The NRP Group

The NRP Group is a vertically integrated developer, owner, builder, and manager of best-in-class multifamily housing with a mission to create exceptional rental housing communities for individuals and families, regardless of income. Since its founding in 1994, NRP has developed more than 62,000 apartment homes and currently manages over 30,000 residential units.

Through its disciplined approach to vetting opportunities, NRP has established a track record of delivering impressive returns for investors. The company’s formidable size and depth of talent provide the experience and infrastructure necessary to execute developments of varying degrees of complexity and scope in both urban-infill and suburban locations, including market-rate, affordable, mixed-income, and senior housing.

The NRP Group has been consistently named a largest developer and builder in the U.S. on the NMHC “Top 50” lists, the Top 5 on the Multi-Housing News’ “Top Multifamily Developers” list, named a Top Affordable Housing Developer by Affordable Housing Finance, and has won three NAHB Pillar awards since 2020 for Development, Construction and Ones to Watch. The NRP Group has become the top multifamily developer in the U.S. that creates both affordable and market-rate housing at a national scale. Based on over 30 years of experience and expertise, NRP provides construction and property management services to outside owners and developers. For additional information, visit www.nrpgroup.com.

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Committed to Lifelong Learning: Meet Vinod Suresh

Originally published on GoDaddy Resource Library

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career journey, to date.

I’m the VP of Product Management – Independents at GoDaddy, where I have the privilege of leading innovative, cross-functional teams to build products powered by generative AI and data science. My focus is on developing game-changing, fun, and engaging experiences that make a real impact for our 21 million customers worldwide. I oversee GoDaddy’s global subscriptions program, driving long-term growth and customer loyalty through strategic vision and execution.

With a background as a thought leader in subscriptions, memberships, and loyalty programs, I’ve helped transform billion-dollar businesses. Prior to GoDaddy, I played a key role in the product transformation at Sam’s Club and was instrumental in incubating the WalmartPlus business, leveraging behavioral insights and data science to shape best-in-class omnichannel and fintech experiences. I’m also the innovator and architect behind several patent-pending solutions in these spaces.

As a leader, I’m passionate about building empathetic and empowered teams. I believe in driving impact through influence, vision, and a deep commitment to continuous learning.

Considering GoDaddy’s culture of experimentation, how many experiments does your team conduct each month and what do those experiments look like?

We don’t wait for “big launches” to make an impact. Our team runs 20–30 experiments each month—from tiny UI changes to full product trials. We don’t write code until we’ve nailed the hypothesis and aligned on the problem. It’s an approach that keeps us grounded in what customers truly need, and lets us move fast without breaking trust.

What advice would you give to someone who is struggling to accept change in their life?

Embrace change early. Having attended 13 different schools growing up, I have developed a comfort with change and now sees it as a growth opportunity.

The key is to reframe change as a natural and necessary part of progress—both professionally and personally.

It is even more vital today with the emergence of AI. What worked for us yesterday will not work for us today. All of us have to unlearn old patterns and behavior to be successful in the future.

What techniques do you use to prioritize tasks and manage your time efficiently?

Effective time management revolves around ruthless prioritization. I plan my learning and vacations well in advance, consolidate tasks like handling emails in a single session, and rely on a process-fed operating system (OpX) where operational mechanics and reviews complement one another. This approach minimizes redundancy and optimizes focus.

Can you describe a project that you are particularly proud of and what made it successful?

GoDaddy Airo stands out as a remarkable initiative for me. Originally conceived during an internal innovation sprint known as “Surge,” it has transformed into a bundled experience that redefines the entrepreneurial journey. Its success is rooted in bold prioritization, swift validation, and scaling only after receiving strong customer feedback—all achieved within a disciplined six-week timeframe.

In what ways does GoDaddy Airo add value to the lives of everyday entrepreneurs?

GoDaddy Airo simplifies entrepreneurship by auto-provisioning business in a box when a domain is purchased. This includes logo creation, website setup, email, and more—all powered by GenAI. It allows entrepreneurs to bypass obstacles and start building quickly, increasing their chances of success with a smooth launch process.

What inspired you to pursue a career in technology, and what keeps you motivated in this fast-paced industry?

Each year, I enroll in new certifications or cohort courses—usually in Q3 or Q4, when I have clarity on the year’s challenges and next year’s opportunities. Learning isn’t a checkbox for me. It’s a mindset, and one GoDaddy supports fully.

How do you approach team collaboration when working on innovative product solutions?

By minimizing unnecessary meetings and maximizing written, asynchronous communication, the team collaborates efficiently. There’s also a strong focus on cross-functional alignment, especially with customer care teams, to ensure insights from real-time customer interactions feed directly into product decisions.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

  • Fall in love with the customer problem: Prioritize understanding and solving real customer issues.
  • Your team is your first customer: Treat your team with the same care and attention as external customers.
  • Change is always good: Embrace change as a catalyst for growth and innovation.
  • Student for life: Maintain a mindset of continuous learning and curiosity.

These principles reflect a commitment to customer-centricity, team empowerment, adaptability, and lifelong learning, guiding my approach to product development and leadership.

Watch Vinod Suresh: “The Highest Sky Dive in California”.

Are you enjoying this series and want to know more about life at GoDaddy? Check out our GoDaddy Life social pages! Follow us to meet our team, learn more about our culture (Teams, ERGs, Locations), careers, and so much more. You’re more than just your day job, so come propel your career with us.

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Biomimicry Institute Launches Their Inaugural Co-Lab Focused on Buildings, Cities & Infrastructure

MISSOULA, Mont., June 26, 2025 /3BL/ – The Biomimicry Institute, a nonprofit organization that envisions a nature-positive, inclusive, and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius, today announced the launch of its first Biomimicry Co-Lab focused on Nature Positive Buildings, Cities & Infrastructure. This 12-month, action-focused collaboration brings together 22 leading industry innovators, design practitioners, and implementation experts to accelerate the shift toward a nature-positive built environment.

“The built environment sector has an enormous impact on biodiversity, from its materials supply chain all the way through to its construction and operations. The sector is grappling with a transformation towards Nature Positive Buildings, Cities and Infrastructure and we know that within nature’s genius lies critical solutions that we can bring into action through convening these incredible thought leaders.” said Amanda Sturgeon, CEO of the Biomimicry Institute. “This Co-Lab is about turning deep inspiration from nature into scalable strategies that can help the sector to become regenerative.”

The Buildings, Cities & Infrastructure Co-Lab is designed to address systemic gaps in the built environment sector by identifying how biomimicry, biophilic design, and nature-inspired solutions can be implemented at scale. It will convene a diverse cohort of global changemakers to explore critical leverage points such as nature-inspired material innovation, design principles inspired by ecosystems, connection to place, and circular infrastructure models.

Key Objectives Include:

  • Collaborating across global regions to identify sector-specific challenges and opportunities
  • Exploring how learning from nature can catalyze a shift to nature-positive buildings, cities, and infrastructure
  • Co-creating the practical tools, frameworks, and resources needed to disrupt the sector

Over the course of the year, participants will engage in monthly virtual sessions, contribute to collaborative research, and attend an in-person nature immersion workshop planned for New York Climate Week (September 21–28, 2025). “We are excited to be convening experts in this sector to move beyond incremental change and instead to co-create tangible outcomes that help redefine how we build—using nature’s own playbook.” said Sturgeon.

By advancing nature-inspired innovation in buildings, cities, and infrastructure, the Biomimicry Institute continues its mission to build a regenerative and inclusive future—guided by the strategies that have sustained life on Earth for 3.8 billion years.

Learn more about our inaugural Co-Labs initiative and the Buildings, Cities & Infrastructure participants here.

For more information about the Biomimicry Institute and our work, please visit www.biomimicry.org.

About the Biomimicry Institute

The Biomimicry Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization founded in 2005 that connects individuals to enable a nature-positive, inclusive and regenerative world inspired and guided by nature’s genius. The Institute provides tools like AskNature.org, the largest free database of biological strategies for sustainable innovation, and recently launched the AskNature Hive, a global collaboration hub for nature-inspired problem solvers. In addition to Co-Labs, the Institute runs the Ray of Hope Accelerator to support startups using nature’s strategies to tackle major environmental challenges, and Nature of Fashion, a circular economy initiative turning textile waste into biocompatible raw materials.

Media Contact: Anna Konstantinova

Biomimicry Institute, Communications Director media@biomimicry.org

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Mining Sector Unites to Support Manitoba Wildfire Relief with C$1.25 Million Donation to the Canadian Red Cross

TORONTO, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – In response to the devastating wildfires impacting communities across northern Manitoba, three leading mining companies that operate in the region—Vale Base Metals, Hudbay Minerals Inc. and Alamos Gold Inc.—have collectively donated C$1.25 million to the Canadian Red Cross to support emergency relief and rebuilding efforts.

This contribution will help the residents and Indigenous communities in which the three companies operate and that have been affected by the wildfires.

The funds will be allocated to a wide range of critical support services and recovery relief efforts, that may include:

  • Evacuation assistance, including shelter, food and transportation for displaced individuals and families
  • Support for individuals and families as they return to their communities and begin the recovery and rebuilding process
  • Financial support for personal and household items
  • Mental health and wellness support including referrals to other services in the community
  • Support for local businesses 
  • Community resilience projects to strengthen long-term recovery and preparedness
  • Critical investments in disaster risk reduction programing that help build community resilience to better absorb and recover faster when disasters strike

“The wildfires in Manitoba have been severe and the Canadian Red Cross has been working around the clock to provide support to people impacted,” said Conrad Sauvé, President and CEO at the Canadian Red Cross. “We are grateful to Vale Base Metals, Hudbay, and Alamos for their generous donation which will make a big difference for the communities facing devastating fires this season.”

“This donation to the Canadian Red Cross reflects our deep commitment to the people and communities of northern Manitoba,” said a joint statement from Vale Base Metals, Hudbay, and Alamos. “We stand in solidarity with those affected, many of whom work with us, and we will continue to be here at this time of need to support long-term recovery efforts.” 

The Canadian Red Cross continues to work closely with Indigenous leadership, municipal, provincial and federal governments and emergency response teams to provide support upon request, in an effort to assist those who need it most.

For more information on the Canadian Red Cross or to make a personal donation, please visit www.redcross.ca.

Individuals and families who have been impacted by the wildfires are encouraged to register with the Canadian Red Cross. More information is available here.

About Alamos

Alamos is a Canadian-based intermediate gold producer with diversified production from three operating mines in North America. This includes the Island Gold District and the YoungDavidson mine in northern Ontario, Canada, and the Mulatos District in Sonora State, Mexico. Additionally, the Company has a significant portfolio of development stage projects, including the Phase 3+ Expansion at Island Gold, and the Lynn Lake project in Manitoba, Canada. Alamos employs more than 2,400 people and is committed to the highest standards of sustainable development. The Company’s shares are traded on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol “AGI”.

About Hudbay

Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused critical minerals company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining jurisdictions of Canada, Peru and the United States.

Hudbay’s operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the Company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production and by-product zinc, silver and molybdenum. Hudbay’s growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations.

The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: “We care about our people, our communities and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives and create better futures for communities.” Hudbay’s mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations.

About Vale Base Metals 

Vale Base Metals, the business line for Vale’s energy transition metals business, is one of the world’s largest producers of high-quality nickel and an important producer of copper and responsibly sourced cobalt. With a corporate presence in Toronto, Canada, and operations in Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, Indonesia, Brazil, the U.K. and Japan, the business delivers critical building blocks for a cleaner, greener future.  

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mining-sector-unites-to-support-manitoba-wildfire-relief-with-c1-25-million-donation-to-the-canadian-red-cross-302492263.html

SOURCE Vale Base Metals

Saint-Gobain Video Series: empowHERed: Rebeca Hazera, Palatka, FL

As someone who is passionate about the environment, Continuous Improvement Manager Rebeca Hazera is exactly where she wants to be – part of Team CertainTeed Gypsum in Palatka, Florida. 

About empowHERed

Saint-Gobain North America’s empowHERed series features the women in manufacturing of Saint-Gobain North America. Whether they work in product innovation, engineering, on the product line, or in development, they are making an impact in manufacturing. Discover your career at Saint-Gobain North America.

Watch the full empowHERed video series on YouTube.

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 

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On the Way To Zero

Achieving net-zero by 2045 – that is the target we have set ourselves at Henkel. This presents both numerous opportunities and challenges. And above all, it means a lot of work along the entire value chain of the company. In an interview with Fritz for Future, Henkel’s Sustainability Podcast, Dirk Ullrich, Climate and Nature Expert at Henkel, discusses how the net-zero target is integrated into Henkel’s sustainability strategy. He explains what net zero really means – and how economic success can be aligned with climate protection.

In this interview, you will learn:

Dirk, what does net-zero mean?

Net-zero is about ensuring that the actions of individuals and companies have no impact on the climate. In essence, the term net-zero describes the idea of offsetting the gross activity one carries out with something that removes the resulting emissions from the equation. The fundamental idea behind it is to cause fewer emissions and to offset the remaining ones. To achieve this, emission strategies must be changed. It’s not enough to simply try to compensate for emissions. Pure compensation does not change actual behavior, and offsetting measures quickly reach their limits. Net-zero requires strict rules and is too weak a concept on its own if it only focuses on compensation.

I am firmly convinced that climate protection can be achieved using economic means available in today’s global economy.

Dirk Ullrich, Climate and Nature Expert at Henkel

What are the key points of Henkel’s net-zero plan?

For our net-zero plan, we have not set our own net-zero target or defined for ourselves what that might mean. We follow the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), an association of scientists who validate targets. This means that the SBTi reviews and verifies whether the plan we are pursuing aligns with more ambitious net-zero rules. In essence, this means that we must reduce about 90 percent of our emissions and ultimately only offset the remaining 10 percent, also referred to as residual emissions.

To what extent has Henkel’s strategy become more ambitious as a result of the net-zero targets?

What makes our current approach significantly more ambitious than our previous goals is that, in addition to our short-term targets oriented toward 2030, we are now also pursuing a long-term target. In a way, we are giving the company a North Star for climate action. A lot will happen by 2045 – many legislative periods will come and go – but it is the ultimate goal that guides our business activities: to achieve climate neutrality for the company across all emission-causing categories – in absolutely all so-called scopes – by 2045. It is comprehensive and long-term.

What exactly are the different emissions scopes – and what do they really mean? 

In scope: What do we mean when we talk about scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions?

Insights and examples from a Henkel expert

Learn more

In which scope does Henkel generate the most emissions?

A large portion of our products are consumer goods and therefore most emissions occur relatively far down a very long value chain. Accordingly, our emissions portfolio is structured in such a way that we do not have particularly large amounts of scope 1 or 2 emissions. Our manufacturing processes are relatively efficient and not especially energy-intensive. Therefore, our scope 3 emissions are highly relevant compared to scope 1 and scope 2. When we break down scope 3 emissions, the usage phase of our products is by far the largest source. Significant emission sources are also the procurement of raw materials and packaging materials, as well as a notable share at the end-of-life stage of our products. Transport emissions and all other emissions are relatively low.

What will change at Henkel in the next few years to achieve the newly set net-zero targets?

We have created a so-called Climate Transition Plan. There we have defined key levers to achieve these targets. For our own scope 1 and 2 emissions, we focus on energy efficiency, for example. When we require energy, we use green or climate-neutral sources. Additionally, we generate our own electricity wherever possible, for instance through photovoltaics. Addressing scope 3, we develop products that are significantly lower in emissions during their use. We also use raw materials that are manufactured and produced with significantly fewer emissions. Our logistics and transport needs are also being transformed to cause as few emissions as possible. And the circular economy comes into play wherever we can use recycled materials. Ultimately, the strategy and plan encompass almost all areas of our actions.

It is the ultimate goal that guides our business activities: to achieve climate neutrality for the company across all emission-causing categories – in absolutely all so-called scopes – by 2045. It is comprehensive and long-term.

Dirk Ullrich, Climate and Nature Expert at Henkel

Economic viability and climate protection are often not seen as compatible. What’s your perspective, based on your expertise?

I am firmly convinced that climate protection can be achieved using economic means available in today’s global economy. Unfortunately, the topic is repeatedly sacrificed in favor of short-term solutions to other problems. I see that as the biggest problem. My answer is: it is possible, and it is also financially manageable. Almost all the technologies we need are available. And we are also seeing positive trends: the costs of battery storage and photovoltaics are going down. Renewable energy sources are surpassing fossil fuels. There are encouraging signs, but there is still a recurring tendency to neglect long-term goals in favor of short-term thinking.

Is it easier or harder to pursue a net-zero strategy when operating globally? 

From my point of view, it’s easier. We have the invaluable advantage of being able to easily change our perspectives. I talk daily with colleagues from other countries where climate and environmental protection are not central issues. We can learn a lot from each other. I also speak frequently with teams working in regions where climate change has already left its mark and consequences, for example. We have diverse customer and partner relationships in various countries, which also offer a wide range of perspectives. We see different technology opportunities in different parts of the world. And we observe varying approaches to the topic. However, this also means that we need to develop a strategy that works across many countries – at our numerous production sites and locations – and that also covers a vast portfolio of products. But this also presents opportunities and potential, as we have a great lever with far-reaching impact.

Find the full interview (German only) with Dirk on Fritz for Future, Henkel’s Sustainability Podcast.

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Bangladesh Positioned to Lead Sustainable Apparel Manufacturing

AMSTERDAM and HONG KONG and OAKLAND, Calif., June 26, 2025 /3BL/ – Cascale (formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition) has released “Bangladesh Country Report: Macroeconomic and Sustainability Analysis,” a comprehensive report detailing Bangladesh’s progress and potential to drive sustainable progress in the consumer goods industry. The report also reveals a pivotal opportunity to align with the Industry Decarbonization Roadmap (IDR), a sector-wide initiative to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 45 percent by 2030. This follows Cascale’s April publication of the “Vietnam Country Report: Macroeconomic, Socioeconomic, and Industry Analysis” report, developed with the support of Apparel Impact Institute (Aii). Similar in scope, Cascale’s new report emphasizes Bangladesh’s impressive strides toward sustainability, including ambitious environmental targets, the rise of green manufacturing, and a growing culture of industry collaboration.

“Scaling up the decarbonization of the energy supply will be crucial for Bangladesh to meet its 2030 climate ambitions.” –Jeremy Lardeau, SVP, Higg Index, Cascale

“The workforce is both Bangladesh’s RMG sector’s greatest asset – providing the people power behind its competitive advantage – and its greatest responsibility to protect. By investing in organisational health and safety, fair labor practices, and skill development, Bangladesh aims to uphold and protect the wellbeing of the millions who form the backbone of this industrial activity.” –Carolina van Loenen, Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Cascale

With a robust apparel sector that contributes over 80 percent of national exports and employs more than four million people – most of them women – Bangladesh stands behind China as the world’s second-largest garment exporter, commanding 7.4 percent of the global market share. With its strong economic growth and proactive sustainability initiatives, the country is positioned to leverage both domestic policies and international collaboration to advance its low-carbon transition amid evolving global market dynamics. In 2024, Bangladesh installed an interim government that issued a 2025 Renewable Energy Policy including tax incentives and measures designed to cut fuel imports, balancing continued economic growth with a shift toward cleaner energy. The interim government has set general elections for April 2026.

Key Highlights from the Bangladesh Country Report include:

Economic Strength & Global Relevance

With a GDP of USD 451 billion in 2024 and projected growth of 3.8 percent in 2025 (IMF), Bangladesh’s economic trajectory is powered by its textile and garment sector, now expanding into higher-value products and man-made fibers.

Decarbonization Commitments

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has launched a Sustainability Vision 2030 to guide the industry, pledging:

  • 30 percent GHG emissions reduction
  • 50 percent sustainable material sourcing
  • 20 percent energy from renewable sources
  • Zero discharge of hazardous chemicals

Exclusive Environmental Performance Insights from the Higg FEM

Nearly 1,300 factories in Bangladesh used Cascale’s Higg Facility Environmental Module (FEM) in 2023. Results show stronger performance than global averages, with opportunities to scale renewable energy use and reduce dependence on natural gas.

Leadership in Green Factories

Bangladesh boasts over 240 LEED-certified green garment factories – the most of any country in the world. Among these are 62 of the world’s top 100 highest-rated facilities, with over 500 more in the certification pipeline.

Collaborative Industry Transformation

In 2024, BGMEA signed a partnership MoU with Cascale to drive unified sustainability efforts across the supply chain and, in 2025, the International Apparel Federation (IAF) and International Textile Manufacturers’ Federation (ITMF) launched the Apparel and Textile Transformation Initiative (ATTI). The initiative is an innovative manufacturer-led, nationally oriented, globally coordinated program. It aims to advance environmental improvements across the supply chain by promoting manufacturer leadership on systemic challenges relating to energy use, water consumption, emissions and other key sustainability impacts, in collaboration with brands and industry initiatives. ATTI’s pilot countries are Bangladesh and Turkiye, and BGMEA and BKMEA lead the ATTI Bangladesh Chapter. Under the initiative, the associations will lead the development of an ATTI Bangladesh Transformation Plan with support from the ATTI Global Council.

Energy Landscape & Transition Efforts

With 57 percent of national energy from gas and only two percent from renewables, Bangladesh faces challenges for a green energy transition. However, there are also many opportunities: Factories are increasingly investing in solar PV systems, bioenergy, and energy-efficient technologies to future-proof operations.

A Critical Moment for the Industry

The report concludes that Bangladesh is at a turning point — leveraging past progress to chart a path toward a sustainable, inclusive, and competitive future. The country’s alignment with global decarbonization goals, including its role in the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, signals readiness to lead a new era of responsible manufacturing.Cascale urges brands, investors, and policymakers to support Bangladesh’s transition by aligning sourcing practices with sustainability goals, offering financial mechanisms for factory upgrades, and promoting inclusive growth across the value chain.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the most comprehensive sustainability data and insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people. LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

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Sysco Honors Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage

Originally published on May 23, 2025 on LinkedIn

Sysco’s APEX Colleague Resource Group hosted a vibrant celebration in May at our Global Support Center, bringing together colleagues, customers, and suppliers to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage through culture, community, and cuisine.

We were proud to spotlight several of our incredible supplier and customer partners who made the event unforgettable:

  • EWJ Distribution & VietKane – serving fresh sugar cane juice, live at the event
  • Man Chu, Flip N Patties, and Bo Vien Texas – serving delicious dishes rooted in heritage
  • Eggroll Factory – offering a variety of crowd-pleasers, including their cheesecake and apple pie eggrolls
  • Da Munchies – sweet treats with fun, standout branding
  • DNI Group – delighting us with a beautiful selection of delicious desserts

These businesses embody the spirit of innovation and cultural pride, and we’re grateful to call them part of the Sysco family.

Thank you to APEX for leading a meaningful event that fosters belonging and celebrates the rich diversity that powers our purpose.

About Sysco

Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers who prepare meals away from home. Its family of products also includes equipment and supplies for the foodservice and hospitality industries. With more than 76,000 colleagues, the company operates 340 distribution facilities worldwide and serves approximately 730,000 customer locations. For fiscal year 2024 that ended June 29, 2024, the company generated sales of more than $78 billion. Information about our Sustainability program, including Sysco’s 2023 Sustainability Report and 2023 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Report, can be found at www.sysco.com.

 For more information, visit www.sysco.com or connect with Sysco on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SyscoFoods. For important news and information regarding Sysco, visit the Investor Relations section of the company’s Internet home page at investors.sysco.com, which Sysco plans to use as a primary channel for publishing key information to its investors, some of which may contain material and previously non-public information. In addition, investors should continue to review our news releases and filings with the SEC. It is possible that the information we disclose through any of these channels of distribution could be deemed to be material information.

View original content here.

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FrankCrum Golf Invitational Raises Over $215,000 for Feeding Tampa Bay

Check Presentation Highlights Longstanding Partnership and Commitment to Fighting Hunger

CLEARWATER, Fla., June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — FrankCrum proudly presented a donation of $215,438.13 to Feeding Tampa Bay following the success of its 18th annual FrankCrum Golf Invitational, in a powerful display of community support.

The event brought together hundreds of golfers and supporters to raise funds in the fight against hunger. Of the total, $180,438.13 was raised through the tournament and its associated fundraising activities, with FrankCrum contributing an additional $35,000.

Since its inception, the FrankCrum Golf Invitational has raised more than $2.46 million to support Feeding Tampa Bay’s mission of feeding those who need it most.

“At FrankCrum, we believe one of the greatest things you can do in this life is serve others,” said Frank Crum, Jr., CEO of FrankCrum. “Giving back is part of our DNA, and this donation reflects the heart of our company. We’re just grateful we can help out and do some good for the folks in our community.”

The check was presented to Feeding Tampa Bay’s Senior Director of Development Jason Prado by Frank Crum, Jr., Co-President Haley Crum, and Hector Cano, Vice President of Workers’ Compensation Claims at Frank Winston Crum Insurance.

“We are thrilled and grateful for this incredible donation and for FrankCrum’s ongoing support,” said Thomas Mantz, CEO of Feeding Tampa Bay. “This gift means we can reach more people, stock our shelves, and really expand what we’re able to do in the community. We can’t thank them enough for believing in our mission and helping us feed our neighbors.”

This donation will help provide more than 2.1 million meals to individuals and families across the region. It also supports Feeding Tampa Bay’s broader programs that promote food security, economic stability, and community resilience.

Feeding Tampa Bay serves a 10-county region and is part of the national Feeding America network. Their mission is to end hunger by providing nutritious food and innovative solutions to create long-term stability for families, seniors, and individuals across West Central Florida.

About FrankCrum
FrankCrum is a family of companies dedicated to helping businesses grow and prosper by providing products and services that foster stability and security. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, the enterprise includes FrankCrum (a Professional Employer Organization), FrankCrum Staffing, Frank Winston Crum Insurance, FrankCrum Insurance Agency, and FrankCrum General Agency. These organizations help businesses operate more efficiently, reduce risk, and care for their people. Guided by a philosophy of doing the right thing for the right reasons, FrankCrum has been empowering employers and supporting workers nationwide for over four decades. Visit frankcrum.com.

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SOURCE FrankCrum

Invenergy to Provide Meta with Nearly 800 MW, Supporting Data Center Operations

New agreements nearly double total procured clean energy between the companies, provide near-term energy capacity

CHICAGO, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Invenergy, America’s largest privately held developer, owner and operator of clean energy solutions, and Meta Platforms, Inc (Nasdaq: META) today announced they have signed four additional clean energy agreements that represent an additional 791 megawatts (MW) of procured solar and wind energy. The agreements will provide near-term energy to support Meta’s operations, data center growth, and clean energy goals.

The agreements come after the 2024 announcement of Meta’s 1,000 MW of total procured energy from Invenergy. Together, these projects bring the companies’ partnership to a total of 1,800 MW, including over 740 MW of new energy generation in Ohio. The electricity from these projects will be delivered to the local grid, while Meta will receive the clean energy credits associated with the new generation capacity coming online.

“Winning the AI race requires reliable, cleaner, affordable energy and energy infrastructure – today and in the future. We’re grateful for our continued relationship with Meta and look forward to future partnerships as we work to strengthen American energy independence and economic prosperity,” said Ted Romaine, Invenergy’s Executive Vice President of Origination.

“We’re laser-focused on advancing our AI ambitions—and to do that, we need clean, reliable energy. We’re grateful for Invenergy’s longtime partnership that helps us support our energy needs and implement our clean energy goals, and look forward to continued collaboration,” said Urvi Parekh, Meta’s Head of Global Energy.

The agreements are contracted through four Invenergy-developed facilities strategically located across the U.S. to meet soaring energy demand with domestically produced electricity. These energy centers include:

  • Yellow Wood Solar Energy Center (OH) – 300 MW – Expected Commercial Operations 2027
  • Pleasant Prairie Solar Energy Center (OH) – 140 MW – Expected Commercial Operations 2027
  • Decoy Solar Energy Center (AR) – 155 MW – Expected Commercial Operations 2027
  • Seaway Wind Energy Center (TX) – 196 MW – Expected Commercial Operations 2028

About Invenergy

Invenergy is accelerating cleaner, more reliable, affordable energy. Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, build, own, and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation, transmission and storage facilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Headquartered in Chicago, Invenergy has regional development offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Poland, and Scotland.

Invenergy and its affiliated companies have successfully developed more than 34,000 megawatts of projects that are in operation, construction or contracted, including natural gas, solar and wind power generation, transmission infrastructure, and advanced energy storage projects.

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SOURCE Invenergy