Month: September 2025

Pacific Surfliner and California Operation Lifesaver participate in September’s Rail Safety Month

ORANGE, Calif., Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As California continues to have the highest number of rail-related fatalities in the United States due to highway-rail grade crossing and trespassing incidents*, Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® is recognizing Rail Safety Month in September as a time to support safety in rail-adjacent communities.

In this effort, the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, is partnering with California Operation Lifesaver (CAOL), a non-profit entity that works year-round to spread awareness about the importance of safety around train tracks.

“Keeping people safe is an important priority for the Pacific Surfliner,” said Fred Jung, Chair of the LOSSAN Agency Board of Directors. “We are proud to partner with California Operation Lifesaver to raise awareness and provide information on staying safe near train tracks for our Southern California community.”

As the LOSSAN Corridor is the second busiest intercity rail corridor in the United States, supporting commuter, regional and intercity rail service collectively to 41 stations and nearly 4.5 million annual passengers (Amtrak, Coaster and Metrolink), the LOSSAN Agency continues to explore ways to inform riders and the public on how to stay safe.

Follow simple safety rules whenever around train tracks, including:

• Never walk on or along train tracks; it’s illegal and trespassing is highly dangerous.
• Cross train tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings and obey all warning signs and signals.
• Stay alert around tracks. Don’t do anything that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train, such as listening to headphones or talking on the phone.
• When boarding, remember to stay behind the marked safety line on the station platform and use handholds as you board.
• Report suspicious items, persons or activity immediately to the Amtrak Police Department by approaching a uniformed officer, calling (800) 331-0008, sending a text to APD11 (27311) or calling 911.

The partnership between the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency and CAOL will deliver rail safety advertisements across social media, websites and connected television platforms to people who live and travel near the corridor. Using location-based targeting informed by recent data on trespasser fatalities and near misses, the month-long campaign will run from September 1–30 and provide safety tips tailored to local audiences.

Additionally, the LOSSAN Agency is collaborating with officials in the Tri Counties (San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura) to post safety signage in high traffic areas and schools adjacent to the train tracks.

Digital tools are available at PacificSurfliner.com/RailSafety, including activities for kids, lesson plans for teachers and parents and downloadable presentations developed by Operation Lifesaver and CAOL, two non-profit entities that work year-round to promote rail safety.

*According to CAOL and the Federal Railroad Administration.

About the Amtrak^® Pacific Surfliner^®
The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States. To learn more and plan a trip, visit pacificsurfliner.com.

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency
The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority overseeing the management of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service. Comprised of rail owners, operators, and planning agencies along the 351-mile LOSSAN rail corridor, the Agency strives to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on-time performance, operational flexibility, and safety along its service area. The Orange County Transportation Authority provides all necessary administrative support for the LOSSAN Agency and its Board. For more information, visit Lossan.org.

About California Operation Lifesaver
California Operation Lifesaver is an independent non-profit safety education and awareness program dedicated to ending collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad rights of way in the State of California. 

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SOURCE Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner

ATLANTA, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — EnviroSpark, one of the nation’s largest charging providers and charge point operators, has officially brought its 2,500th charger online on its own network with another 1,000 network plugs contracted and coming online soon—cementing its role as a key player in expanding access to reliable EV infrastructure across North America. While competitors often tout ambitious deployment targets that remain largely aspirational, EnviroSpark’s milestone underscores a commitment to tangible results: fully installed, operational chargers actively powering drivers today. With over 8,000 plugs deployed for other networks since 2014 and over 1,000 plugs deployed this year alone, the company continues to deliver both speed and substance in meeting the growing demand for EV infrastructure.

“This milestone reflects the relentless dedication and talent of our incredible team,” said Frank Woodling, CEO of EnviroSpark. “Month after month, we’re breaking our own installation records, not for headlines, but because our loyal customers count on us to deliver. This is what follow-through looks like, and we’re just getting started.”

As the U.S. continues to accelerate EV adoption, the availability of accessible charging stations remains a top concern among drivers. EnviroSpark’s milestone reflects years of strategic investment, innovation, and public-private collaboration aimed at addressing this infrastructure gap.

Frank Blake, former Chairman and CEO of Home Depot and an early EnviroSpark investor, said “Reaching 2,500 chargers is a meaningful achievement. It shows what can happen when a team stays focused on doing the right things the right way. EnviroSpark isn’t just adding infrastructure—they’re quietly building what the future of transportation will depend on. That kind of steady, mission-driven execution is exactly what makes them stand out.”

EnviroSpark’s 2,500 installed chargers span multifamily communities, hospitality properties, retail centers, and public access points. With a mix of Level 2 and DC fast chargers, the company supports a diverse array of drivers and site hosts—many through fully funded models that eliminate cost barriers to deployment.

EnviroSpark helps site hosts deploy EV charging infrastructure quickly and cost-effectively by navigating federal and state incentives, securing utility partnerships, and offering flexible or fully funded models. This full-service approach removes complexity and lowers barriers—enabling faster deployments and long-term reliability without burdening the property owner.

About EnviroSpark
Founded in 2014, EnviroSpark is an industry leader in the turnkey design, installation and operation of EV charging solutions. The company was founded with two missions: to raise awareness around the benefits of electric vehicles and to make EV charging more accessible across the United States and Canada. EnviroSpark is a charge point operator with over 2,500 plugs energized on its own network with an additional 1,000 contracted and coming online shortly, serving partners including IHG Hotels & Resorts, Asset Living, Associa, RangeWater, and First Service Residential. The company also deploys at scale for other charge point operators like Tesla, ChargePoint, and Mercedes-Benz. Responsible for the installation of more than 10,000 charging ports to date in over 40 US states and 4 Canadian provinces, EnviroSpark addresses the pain points of North American property owners and drivers by enhancing EV accessibility in customer-friendly ways. For more information, please visit www.envirosparkenergy.com

Media Contact:
Anna Addcox
Marketing Manager
anna.addcox@envirosparkenergy.com
(352) 275-6688

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SOURCE EnviroSpark Energy

CLEVELAND, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm, is pleased to announce the completion of the recapitalization of Green Infrastructure Partners (“GIP”) at an enterprise value of $4.25 billion with an investment by Energy Capital Partners. GIP is a leading vertically integrated infrastructure company established in 2022 by GFL Environmental Inc., with funds managed by HPS Investment Partners Inc. (“HPS Investment Partners” or “HPS”) and Patrick Dovigi. BGL’s Infrastructure Services investment banking team served as GIP’s financial advisor in the transaction.

BGL’s Infrastructure Services team focuses on businesses that perform essential maintenance, repair, inspection, and construction services for critical infrastructure assets. Our sector-focused bankers offer industry expertise and deep relationships, including a comprehensive understanding of the key drivers impacting service providers to critical transportation, water, power and utility, telecom, and energy markets. To learn more about our experience and capabilities, visit our website here.

All financial information is in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

About Brown Gibbons Lang & Company
Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) is a leading independent investment bank and financial advisory firm focused on the global middle market. The firm advises private and public corporations and private equity groups on mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, financial restructurings, business valuations and opinions, and other strategic matters. BGL has investment banking offices in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York, and real estate offices in Chicago and Cleveland. The firm is also a founding member of REACH Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions, enabling BGL to service clients in more than 30 countries around the world. Securities transactions are conducted through Brown, Gibbons, Lang & Company Securities, LLC, an affiliate of Brown Gibbons Lang & Company LLC and a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information, please visit www.bglco.com. 

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SOURCE Brown Gibbons Lang & Company

ALTADENA, Calif., Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — For 52 years, hundreds of gardeners faithfully worked the earth at the Altadena Community Garden to grow tomatoes, lettuce and basil. Now they tend its soil to regrow their community. 

When the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena in January, it took more than 6,000 homes and at least 19 lives. It also destroyed many of the places where Altadenans came together to build friendships and share fellowship, like the Altadena Community Garden.

The fire consumed a shed, damaged tools and whipped through the garden’s 84 plots. Areas of the garden that managed to avoid fire were contaminated by toxic ash raining down from the homes and businesses that burned nearby. Pollutants penetrated the once-fertile earth.

Of the garden’s 120 members, 62 lost their homes in the fire. But gardening is part of who they are, and they’re not giving up. They’ll rebuild what they lost, and they intend to come back stronger.

“These people are my community,” said Mary McGilvray, vice president of the nonprofit that runs the Altadena Community Garden, as volunteers rolled wheelbarrows across the bare expanse during a recent Saturday community event at the site.

The event drew a visit from Toni Bailey-Raines, daughter of Al Bailey, one of the Altadena residents who founded the garden in the 1970s. Bailey-Raines, co-host of the Altadena Talks podcast, shared stories of the garden told to her by her father, a chemical and mechanical engineer with a green thumb. The garden represents the diversity and spirit of Altadena, she said, and watching volunteers restore it gives her hope.

“This is therapeutic for me,” she said.

Community volunteers have regularly joined forces with gardeners on the weekends. Their goal: to bring back healthy, toxin-free soil so they can nurture healthy crops from it. That healing process is well on its way thanks to a groundswell of support from neighbors, small businesses and philanthropy – including a generous grant from the California Community Foundation. 

The gardeners are also getting help from some surprisingly powerful allies in sustainable gardening: mushrooms.

Mushrooms are a sort of clean-up crew for polluted environments. That’s the philosophy behind mycoremediation, the use of fungi to remove or neutralize environmental contaminants. Certain types of mushrooms and their root-like networks, known as mycelium, can break down or absorb harmful substances in soil, transforming toxic sites into healthier ecosystems. Mushrooms are the “fruit” of fungi that appear above the soil surface, while mycelium is the underground “body” of the mushroom organism. It’s a biochemical factory producing powerful enzymes and acids that break down complex molecules — like the chemicals in ash from the Eaton Fire.

The Altadena Community Garden’s leaders chose to use oyster mushrooms to “digest” contaminants in their soil and break them down into inert, harmless chemicals, much like mushrooms would decompose rotting wood. 

“This is the largest mushroom remediation project I’ve ever been involved in,” said Joe Nagy, president of the Altadena Community Garden’s nonprofit. To transform the bare land, Nagy immersed himself in remediation techniques, reaching out to L.A. organizations like SoilWise and Metabolic Studio for their expertise in composting and ecological restoration. 

The gardeners began remediation as soon as they could safely return to the site in April. But they couldn’t simply drop mushrooms into the area and let them do their work. The EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers first cleared debris and removed about 4 inches of contaminated topsoil to rid the land of the most pollutants. The gardeners then had the remaining soil tested for toxic chemicals.

Volunteers laid down new earth and 525 cubic yards of compost over the land — enough dirt to fill about 165 Volkswagen Beetles. Finally, they mixed in mycelium donated by a mushroom grower in Long Beach and covered the earth with straw to preserve moisture. Two months later, they would test the soil for toxins once again.

Even neighboring organizations that suffered in the Eaton Fire are helping. After the Altadena campus of the Pasadena Waldorf School was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, the school gave its felled tree trunks to the garden. A neighbor brought a mobile mill to cut the wood into chunks. The gardeners placed the wooden logs on the soil to encourage mushroom growth along the northern edge of the 2.5-acre property, where chemicals from nearby charred homes have seeped into the garden. 

McGilvray walked along that stretch of the garden and pointed out sunflowers and squash and potato seedlings that sprouted from the soil near a chain-link fence. The gardeners planted them, she said, because they’re potent tools in a technique called phytoremediation.

Phytoremediation is the use of plants to remove, neutralize or stabilize contaminants, making it a perfect plant-based partner to mycoremediation. It works because plants naturally interact with the environment through their roots, stems and leaves, absorbing nutrients. And just as they absorb nutrients, they can absorb contaminants. Sunflowers are especially powerful: They can absorb heavy metals like arsenic. After the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine, sunflowers were planted to help remove radioactive cesium and strontium from contaminated soils and ponds.

At the Altadena Community Garden, the sunflowers also stand as a reminder of the lush plants that once grew from the land, a welcome sign of hope and progress. As mushrooms spurt across the property and squash seedlings shoot their thick leaves skyward, the gardeners prepare to lay down a new irrigation system. After that will come new planter boxes.

Just as Altadena slowly prepares to rebuild, with the hope of retaining the character that makes it unique, so do the farmers of the Altadena Community Garden.

“Our goal is to get our gardeners back to gardening in January,” McGilvray said. “We need it. We need this place back.”

CONTACT: Gilien Silsby, Director of Media Relations, California Community Foundation, 213-500-8673

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SOURCE California Community Foundation

• Investments of USD 12.8 billion by 2028 in infrastructure, security, and education
• Enormous potential in the heart of Africa: untapped mineral resources, unspoiled nature, and a young population eager to learn
• Opportunities better than ever before: political stability combined with a comprehensive development plan for the country
• International Investment Round Table in Casablanca with presentation of the national development plan and 24 specific investment projects

BANGUI, Central African Republic and CASABLANCA, Morocco, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The government of the Central African Republic is launching a billion-dollar investment program covering all sectors and regions of the country. Investments totaling USD 12.8 billion, combined with extensive government reforms and incentives for businesses, are set to trigger an upswing for the country in the heart of Africa. A total of 543 specific projects have been defined for the period up to 2028. The aim is to massively reduce the poverty rate, build 2,300 kilometers of paved national roads, lay 3,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, and increase the electrification rate from 4% to 38%. The basis for this future program is the “National Development Plan 2024-2028.” Next week, the plan will be presented to the international public for the first time at an International Investment Round Table in Casablanca, Morocco.

“We are determined to unlock our country’s largely untapped potential by accelerating economic growth, building resilient and sustainable infrastructure, improving basic public services, and providing incentives for investors,” emphasizes Prof. Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic. “The aim is, on the one hand, to set in motion a genuine dynamic of development and structural change in the country at the economic, social, and environmental levels and, on the other hand, to reduce poverty and improve the well-being of our population.”

The Central African Republic is considered one of the least developed countries in the world. However, much has changed since President Faustin-Archange Touadéra took office in 2016: the pacification of the country was followed by political stabilization and the renewal of state institutions. Economic indicators have also developed well: the inflation rate was 1.5% in 2024, the currency is stable, and economic growth is increasing steadily (2024: +5.1%). In the Global Soft Power Index 2025, the Central African Republic ranks 18th among African countries and 2nd in the Central African region.

Untapped potential – mineral resources, forests, arable land

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country surrounded by six direct neighbors: Chad to the north, Sudan and South Sudan to the east, Cameroon to the west, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo to the south. Through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the CAR has access to 1.3 billion people.

The CAR has around 15 million hectares of arable land, of which only 5% is currently cultivated. The tropical climate with abundant rainfall, fertile soil, and large water resources is extremely favorable for the cultivation of cassava, corn, rice, peanuts, cotton, coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, sesame, and oil palm. Cotton and industrial crops in particular have strong export potential.

A good third of the country’s territory is forested, which is about 23 million hectares of forest. Precious species such as mahogany, sipo, sapelli, and iroko are not uncommon. Local wood processing, ecotourism, the development of forests as carbon sinks, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification offer significant opportunities.

A World Bank analysis identified more than 470 mineral deposits, including diamonds, gold, uranium, lignite, iron, copper, limestone, columbite-tantalite, manganese, oil, nickel, and columbite-tantalite (coltan).

“The Central African Republic has considerable potential. To harness this potential, we must invest in human capital. This means bringing important infrastructure closer to the population – especially schools and health services. The National Development Plan is about laying the foundation for a forward-looking vision,” says Prime Minister Félix Moloua. “We are now creating the conditions for success – and inviting our partners to participate.”

‘Ambition28’ – investor conference kicks off future program

Under the title “Ambition 28,” the CAR government is inviting international investors to an Investment Round Table in Casablanca for the first time on September 14 and 15, 2025.

“The Round Table in Casablanca marks the start and sets an example for stronger international cooperation between the government of the Central African Republic and private and public partners,” said Prof. Richard Filakota, Minister of Economy, Planning, and International Cooperation.

During the two-day conference, President Touadéra and leading government officials will present the contents of the National Development Plan in detail. Representatives from the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the European Commission, the UN, the Arab Development Bank for Africa, the International Monetary Fund, the International Finance Corporation (ICF), and the host country, the Kingdom of Morocco, will emphasize in their keynotes the importance of international partnerships for the country’s economic transformation. Panels will highlight investment opportunities in energy, agriculture, mining, infrastructure, digitalization, and tourism. Twenty-four specific projects will be presented.

The National Development Plan 2024–2028

“The National Development Plan is a turning point in our country’s history. The conference is the necessary catalyst for this, bringing global players, financiers, and institutions together to work closely toward an economically strong future,” says Filakota. “We are not looking for handouts. We are looking for fair partners who recognize opportunities, want to do good business, and have the courage to write Africa’s next success story together with us.”

The National Development Plan is the Central African Republic’s holistic strategy for the long-term transformation of the country. It focuses on security and the rule of law, human capital, infrastructure, value creation in productive sectors, climate resilience, and ecological development.

Further information on the Round Table:

https://ambition28-rca.org/

Further information on the CAR’s National Development Plan:

https://ambition-journal.org

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2764764/Ambition28.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2764763/PND_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Ambition28 – Central African Republic

MONTREAL, Sept. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – SRTX, the Canadian materials innovator behind Sheertex®, today announced the appointment of Sophie Boulanger as Chief Executive Officer. Boulanger, one of Canada’s most influential entrepreneurs in the retail sector, brings over two decades of leadership experience in strategy, operational performance, and value creation across retail and consumer goods.

Boulanger co-founded and led BonLook, a trailblazing direct-to-consumer eyewear brand that transformed the Canadian optical industry through a hybrid digital-physical model and modern frame collections celebrating diversity. Under her leadership from 2011 to 2022, BonLook scaled rapidly to a national presence, opening 40 stores in four years, employing more than 400 people, and ultimately achieving a successful strategic acquisition by FYidoctors in 2021.

With a proven track record of scaling brands and driving transformative growth, Boulanger is well-positioned to lead SRTX as it accelerates its strategy to expand globally, strengthen its wholesale and private-label partnerships, and deliver long-term value through sustainable innovation.

“SRTX has built one of the most innovative materials companies of our time, with Sheertex redefining durability in fashion and apparel,” said Sophie Boulanger, CEO of SRTX. “I am honoured to join the company at such a pivotal stage and look forward to working with our talented team and world-class investors to expand our reach, scale our operations, and continue shaping the future of sustainable textiles. I also want to recognize Katherine Homuth, whose vision and entrepreneurial drive built the foundation for SRTX’s success. I am excited to carry that legacy forward.”

SRTX Lead Investors BDC Capital, Export Development Canada, H&M Group, and Investissement Québec stated: “We are excited to welcome Sophie Boulanger as CEO. With her entrepreneurial mindset, operational expertise, and vision for consumer-centric growth, she is very well positioned to lead SRTX into its next chapter. Sophie Boulanger brings an excellent track record in scaling brands, creating shareholder value, and building strong teams. We are confident she will accelerate SRTX’s mission to transform the apparel industry.”

The SRTX Board and team thank Timothy Leyne, who has served as Interim CEO over the past months for his leadership and contributions during this pivotal stage of the company’s growth. This leadership change comes on the heels of SRTX’s recent US$40 million fundraising round, led by its largest shareholders: BDC Capital, Export Development Canada, H&M Group, and Investissement Québec. The funding will support the company’s strategy to scale its Montreal-based operations. In 2023, SRTX expanded into a 300,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Pointe-Claire (Montreal), a highly automated, vertically integrated plant. This facility is unique in the apparel industry and enables SRTX to continuously reduce unit costs while scaling production of its market-leading Sheertex tights.

About SRTX
SRTX, a Certified B Corporation (B Corp), is best known for its first technology, the patent-pending Sheertex® Rip-Resist knit, made from one of the world’s strongest polymers that has disrupted hosiery through impossibly strong tights. Named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2018, SRTX’s mission is to drive the durability and sustainability of apparel products by building new materials and software to enable better, more sustainable textiles.

sheertex.com @sheertex

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SOURCE SRTX Inc.