Month: March 2026

WARREN, Ohio, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Avalon Holdings Corporation (NYSE Amex:AWX) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

Net operating revenues in the fourth quarter of 2025 were $21.5 million compared with $17.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. The Company recorded a net loss attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders of $0.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with a net loss attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders of $0.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. For the fourth quarter of 2025, basic net loss per share attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders was $0.09 compared with basic net loss per share attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders of $0.13 in the fourth quarter of 2024.

For the year ended December 31, 2025, net operating revenues were $83.6 million compared with $83.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Company recorded a net income attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 compared with a net income attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders of $1.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2025, basic net income per share attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders was $0.08 compared with basic net income per share attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation common shareholders of $0.34 for year ended December 31, 2024.

Avalon Holdings Corporation provides waste management services to industrial, commercial, municipal and governmental customers in selected northeastern and midwestern U.S. markets, captive landfill management services and salt water injection well operations. Avalon Holdings Corporation also owns Avalon Resorts and Clubs Inc., which includes the operation of a hotel and its associated resort amenities, four golf courses and related country clubs and a multipurpose recreation center.

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SOURCE Avalon Holdings Corporation

• Increased Mission 300 commitment from US$10 million to US$100 million in 23 countries to date: Benin, Burkina Faso, DRC, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia

WASHINGTON, March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the Powering Africa Summit in Washington, D.C., The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (“Global Energy Alliance”) announced that they have committed more than US$100 million to date to support Mission 300, the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank’s ambitious effort to connect 300 million people in Africa to electricity by 2030. Since The Rockefeller Foundation and the Alliance announced their first US$10 million for Mission 300 in September 2024, they have helped strengthen government delivery capacity through technical assistance, mobilized private investment, accelerated project pipelines, and advanced electrification efforts in nearly two dozen countries. Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation, announced that their joint commitment has increased more than tenfold to US$100 million during a fireside chat with The Hon. Chris Wright, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, where they also discussed the importance of bringing clean cooking support to communities in sub-Saharan Africa – a key priority of Mission 300.

Dr. Kevin Kariuki, Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth at the African Development Bank, said: “Mission 300 is fundamentally about delivery, and turning ambition into results at scale. Catalytic capital from partners such as The Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance plays a critical role in strengthening government delivery capacity, de-risking investments, and accelerating projects that can mobilize much larger flows of public and private finance.” 

“The Rockefeller Foundation has made its biggest-ever bet on connecting people to electricity as the single best pathway out of large-scale poverty,” said Dr. Shah. “Our investment in Mission 300 reflects our commitment to the best way of advancing human well-being in the 21st century: putting countries in the lead, harnessing frontier technology, and focusing relentlessly on achievable, measurable goals. We look forward to working with partners to continue the extraordinary momentum behind Mission 300 and connect even more people in Africa, including its growing youth populations, to jobs, dignity, and prosperity.” 

Currently, 730 million people still lack access to basic electricity, and an estimated 85% of those live in sub-Saharan Africa. This shortage hinders healthcare, education, digital inclusion, women and children empowerment, the creation of local jobs, building economic opportunity, and more. According to the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, lack of access to electricity is the single greatest predictor of extreme poverty. 

“Reliable, affordable, abundant electricity is essential for jobs, prosperity, and resilience,” said Woochong Um, CEO of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet. “Our Alliance is proud to support Mission 300, bringing together the governments, development banks, philanthropies, non-profits, and private sector partners that can help unlock investment and accelerate delivery. From Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units that help governments implement national energy plans, to distributed renewable energy and productive-use programs, our focus is on ensuring that new electricity connections translate into durable economic opportunity for people and communities across Africa.” 

A partnership between The World Bank and the African Development Bank, with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance, and Sustainable Energy for All, Mission 300 translates commitments into implementation through national energy compacts, economy-wide reforms, investment programs, technical assistance, and private-sector mobilization.

Since The Rockefeller Foundation and the Alliance first announced their initial US$10 million commitment, their collective support has grown to more than US$100 million for Mission 300 in 23 countries to date: Benin, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia. With approximately 47% from The Rockefeller Foundation and the Mission 300 Accelerator – an initiative of the Foundation’s public charity, RF Catalytic Capital – and 53% from the Alliance, the US$100 million commitment includes, but is not limited to: 

• Providing technical assistance to more than a dozen National Energy Compact Delivery and Monitoring Units (CDMUs) to help improve countries’ coordination, monitoring, reporting, and implementation capacities, while funding 18 “Mission 300 Fellowships” to assist with CDMU efforts to fast-track electrification efforts. 

• Elevating support for clean cooking solutions in sub-Saharan Africa, where 70% of households have no choice but to rely on harmful, polluting fuels such as charcoal and wood to cook their meals by launching the Clean Cooking Accelerator Initiative, piloting a Clean Cooking Delivery Unit in Kenya that is serving as a model for scaling similar initiatives across the continent, and announcing the first four Clean Cooking Fellows will help strengthen the capacity of countries with National Energy Compact Delivery Units to develop investable projects. 

• Expanding the the Global Energy Alliance and CLASP’s Productive Use Financing Facility (PUFF), which provides grants, subsidies, and technical assistance to suppliers and distributors, to lower prices, reach more customers, and accelerate the uptake of clean, energy-efficient appliances that power small businesses, support farmers, and transform the lives of thousands of people across Africa. 

• Advancing African-led energy solutions with support for strengthening interdisciplinary energy systems research and analysis by Africans about Africa through African Energy Futures Initiative and with support for building the next generation of African regulators and energy industry professionals through the African School of Regulation, while helping expand electricity demand and strengthen local energy markets and by providing technical assistance and project preparation. 

• Investing in Zafiri, Mission 300’s permanent capital fund originated by the World Bank and African Development Bank, to provide patient equity in a range of distributed renewable energy programs and investment facilities, while addressing rural electrification challenges, incentivizing developers to stimulate energy demand within the rural communities that they serve, and increasing awareness and funding support for Africa’s off-grid solar sector.

• Launching a new, more flexible, short-medium-term technical assistance facility that is designed to deploy philanthropic capital swiftly to help accelerate the pace and efficiency of African governments’ and the multilateral development banks’ electricity access projects. 

• Enabling an investment-friendly environment both prior to and since Mission 300’s inception, including from the private sector through the Acumen Hardest to Reach Fund and via the World Bank and African Development Bank trust funds, such as the World Bank’s Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) initiative in West and Central Africa and the African Development Bank’s Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA). 

• Aligning support and additional resources for Mission 300 from the Alliance’s Global Leadership Council, a coalition of nearly three dozen global finance, clean energy, and philanthropy leaders co-chaired by Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, and Dr. Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. 

Since the World Bank and African Development Bank launched Mission 300 in April 2024, around 44 million people across Africa have been connected to electricity, with a pipeline of tens of millions more by the end of 2026. In order to define targets, reforms, and investment priorities and accelerate access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy by 2030, Mission 300 has supported the launch of National Energy Compacts in 30 countries to date.

For additional information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/energizing-africa/dashboard.

About the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet
The Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet Inc. (‘Global Energy Alliance’) builds transformative public, private, philanthropic partnerships to end energy poverty and accelerate green economic opportunity. Founded in 2021 by The Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation and Bezos Earth Fund, we work to unlock finance, strengthen institutions and transform markets, delivering progress that goes beyond individual projects to drive lasting systems change. Through our two interconnected global pillars, Grids of the Future — focused on innovation and infrastructure — and Energy and Opportunity — with a focus on jobs and livelihoods — we work toward our vision: a world where everyone has access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity and the means to use it to improve their lives.

With work in more than 30 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, our alliance aims to reach 1 billion people with clean electricity, prevent 4 billion tons of carbon emissions and create or improve 150 million jobs. For more information, please visit www.energyalliance.org and follow us on X @EnergyAlliance. 

About The Rockefeller Foundation
Investing $30 billion over the last 113 years to promote the well-being of humanity, The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on unlikely partnerships and innovative solutions that deliver measurable results for people in the United States and around the world. We leverage scientific breakthroughs, artificial intelligence, and new technologies to make big bets across energy, food, health, and finance, including with our public charity, RF Catalytic Capital (RFCC). For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn, Instagram @rockefellerfdn, YouTube @RockefellerFdn, and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rockefeller-foundation-global-energy-alliance-invest-more-than-us100-million-to-expand-electricity-in-africa-302719216.html

SOURCE Rockefeller Foundation

Top-performing franchisees were honored for innovation and achievement, while breakout sessions equipped leaders with insights to drive continued growth and deliver exceptional care and education for children and families.

ISELIN, N.J., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lightbridge Academy, Innovators in Educational Child Care^® and one of the fastest-growing early childhood education franchises with over 200 centers either open or in development, hosted its annual conference, A World of Possibilities: Creating Magic Every Day, from March 11 to March 13 in Orlando, Florida. The impactful three-day event united home office leaders, franchise owners, vendor partners, and key center leadership for an inspiring experience of learning, networking, and celebration. Through meaningful connections and collaboration, attendees gained relevant knowledge and shared methods to further drive growth and success.

“The Lightbridge Academy Annual Conference is my favorite event of the year because it brings together an extraordinary group of leaders who are deeply committed to excellence in early childhood education,” said Gigi Schweikert, Chief Executive Officer at Lightbridge Academy. “As our organization continues to experience tremendous growth, this conference gives us the opportunity to celebrate the people and centers who are raising the bar for quality and performance across the system. It is also a powerful forum to learn and exchange ideas. Top performers share insights, experiences and mentorship with those who are just launching their centers. That collaboration and transparency strengthens our entire network. The passion and commitment to excellence are exactly what drives our continued success and deepens our impact on the families we serve.”

The 2026 Lightbridge Academy Annual Conference launched with a welcome from CEO Gigi Schweikert, followed by a compelling keynote from Alex Martinez, from the Disney Institute, about Disney’s approach to building strong cultures, developing effective leadership practices, and delivering exceptional experiences. Throughout the conference, franchise owners participated in thought-provoking breakout sessions covering key area such as human resource, community engagement, enrollment, innovation, real estate, and operational excellence, equipping them with the tools needed to drive success. The three-day event closed with a Lightbridge Foundation event to support Give Kids the World Village, an 89-acre, nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida, that provides weeklong, cost-free wish vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world who want to visit Central Florida. Lightbridge Academy partnered with Give Kids the World Village to volunteer and create arts projects to support its mission.

Throughout the conference, Lightbridge Academy also celebrated the meaningful impact of the Lightbridge Foundation, which continues to support families, staff, and communities in need across the network. Since its founding in 2001, the foundation has raised more than $1.7 million and awarded over $1.3 million in grants and scholarships. In 2025 alone, the foundation generated nearly $250,000 in fundraising and distributed more than $225,000 to those in need.

To celebrate the impressive accomplishments of franchisees, Lightbridge Academy delivered prestigious awards during the brand’s themed Sunset Soiree Awards Dinner.

2026 Lightbridge Academy Award Winners Include:

• The Franchisee of the Year was awarded to Nishitkumar Patel for the Lightbridge Academy franchise owner best exemplifying the brand’s Core Values and Circle of Care philosophy.
• The CEO Award was awarded to Lightbridge Academy of Allentown, PA for achieving stringent performance criteria as a top-performing center.
• The Customer Loyalty was awarded to Lightbridge Academy of Hampton Twp., PA for creating a world-class customer experience for touring families.
• Lightbridge Academy of Glenside, PA received the Customer Loyalty Award for creating a world-class customer experience for the enrolled families in their care.
• The Lightbridge Foundation Award was presented to Lightbridge Academy of Virginia Beach, VA in recognition of achieving the highest fundraising contribution.
• The Reviewer’s Choice Award was presented to Lightbridge Academy of Paramus, NJ in recognition of exceeding reputation standards and attainment of the highest customer review scores.
• The Brand Champion Award was awarded to Al Ferrari from Lightbridge Academy of Port St. Lucie, FL in recognition of exceptional franchise mentorship, brand ambassadorship, and commitment to early childhood education.
• To round out the list of prestigious franchise award winners was Jaclyn Hines, Center Director from Lightbridge Academy of Glenside, PA who was awarded the Director of the Year award, and Catherine Thomas from Lightbridge Academy of Bethlehem Twp., PA who won the Teacher of the Year Award.

Looking ahead, Lightbridge Academy is positioned for continued growth, with highly anticipated franchise signings, grand openings, and groundbreaking events in both emerging and established markets. Anchored by its unwavering commitment to the Circle of Care philosophy, the brand continues to expand throughout the country—offering exceptional early education experiences for families and unmatched opportunities for franchisees to thrive in a purpose-driven business.

To schedule a tour and learn more about Lightbridge Academy’s early childhood education programs, visit LightbridgeAcademy.com. Learn more about franchise opportunities at LightbridgeAcademy.com/Franchise/

ABOUT LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY
Established in 1997, the company was founded as a family business based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community. Lightbridge Academy, Innovators in Educational Child Care^®, provides quality early education and child care programs to children aged six weeks through Kindergarten. The company currently has over 200 child care centers either open or in development throughout Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The Lightbridge Promise also leads the industry as the Gold Standard for health & safety in the child care industry. In 2026, Lightbridge Academy was awarded the Franchise Business Reviews Franchisee Satisfaction Award and ranked #129 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list. In 2025, the brand ranked in Entrepreneur’s list of Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owner, was featured on Franchise Times Fast & Serious list, and ranked #248 in Franchise Times Top 400 list. For more information on Lightbridge Academy’s franchise opportunity, information on selling or converting an existing center, or a child care site to submit for review, visit LightbridgeAcademy.com/Franchise.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightbridge-academy-annual-conference-celebrates-industry-leadership-operational-excellence-and-a-shared-commitment-to-high-quality-early-childhood-education-302719082.html

SOURCE Lightbridge Academy

Top-performing franchisees were honored for innovation and achievement, while breakout sessions equipped leaders with insights to drive continued growth and deliver exceptional care and education for children and families.

ISELIN, N.J., March 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Lightbridge Academy, Innovators in Educational Child Care^® and one of the fastest-growing early childhood education franchises with over 200 centers either open or in development, hosted its annual conference, A World of Possibilities: Creating Magic Every Day, from March 11 to March 13 in Orlando, Florida. The impactful three-day event united home office leaders, franchise owners, vendor partners, and key center leadership for an inspiring experience of learning, networking, and celebration. Through meaningful connections and collaboration, attendees gained relevant knowledge and shared methods to further drive growth and success.

“The Lightbridge Academy Annual Conference is my favorite event of the year because it brings together an extraordinary group of leaders who are deeply committed to excellence in early childhood education,” said Gigi Schweikert, Chief Executive Officer at Lightbridge Academy. “As our organization continues to experience tremendous growth, this conference gives us the opportunity to celebrate the people and centers who are raising the bar for quality and performance across the system. It is also a powerful forum to learn and exchange ideas. Top performers share insights, experiences and mentorship with those who are just launching their centers. That collaboration and transparency strengthens our entire network. The passion and commitment to excellence are exactly what drives our continued success and deepens our impact on the families we serve.”

The 2026 Lightbridge Academy Annual Conference launched with a welcome from CEO Gigi Schweikert, followed by a compelling keynote from Alex Martinez, from the Disney Institute, about Disney’s approach to building strong cultures, developing effective leadership practices, and delivering exceptional experiences. Throughout the conference, franchise owners participated in thought-provoking breakout sessions covering key area such as human resource, community engagement, enrollment, innovation, real estate, and operational excellence, equipping them with the tools needed to drive success. The three-day event closed with a Lightbridge Foundation event to support Give Kids the World Village, an 89-acre, nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, Florida, that provides weeklong, cost-free wish vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world who want to visit Central Florida. Lightbridge Academy partnered with Give Kids the World Village to volunteer and create arts projects to support its mission.

Throughout the conference, Lightbridge Academy also celebrated the meaningful impact of the Lightbridge Foundation, which continues to support families, staff, and communities in need across the network. Since its founding in 2001, the foundation has raised more than $1.7 million and awarded over $1.3 million in grants and scholarships. In 2025 alone, the foundation generated nearly $250,000 in fundraising and distributed more than $225,000 to those in need.

To celebrate the impressive accomplishments of franchisees, Lightbridge Academy delivered prestigious awards during the brand’s themed Sunset Soiree Awards Dinner.

2026 Lightbridge Academy Award Winners Include:

• The Franchisee of the Year was awarded to Nishitkumar Patel for the Lightbridge Academy franchise owner best exemplifying the brand’s Core Values and Circle of Care philosophy.
• The CEO Award was awarded to Lightbridge Academy of Allentown, PA for achieving stringent performance criteria as a top-performing center.
• The Customer Loyalty was awarded to Lightbridge Academy of Hampton Twp., PA for creating a world-class customer experience for touring families.
• Lightbridge Academy of Glenside, PA received the Customer Loyalty Award for creating a world-class customer experience for the enrolled families in their care.
• The Lightbridge Foundation Award was presented to Lightbridge Academy of Virginia Beach, VA in recognition of achieving the highest fundraising contribution.
• The Reviewer’s Choice Award was presented to Lightbridge Academy of Paramus, NJ in recognition of exceeding reputation standards and attainment of the highest customer review scores.
• The Brand Champion Award was awarded to Al Ferrari from Lightbridge Academy of Port St. Lucie, FL in recognition of exceptional franchise mentorship, brand ambassadorship, and commitment to early childhood education.
• To round out the list of prestigious franchise award winners was Jaclyn Hines, Center Director from Lightbridge Academy of Glenside, PA who was awarded the Director of the Year award, and Catherine Thomas from Lightbridge Academy of Bethlehem Twp., PA who won the Teacher of the Year Award.

Looking ahead, Lightbridge Academy is positioned for continued growth, with highly anticipated franchise signings, grand openings, and groundbreaking events in both emerging and established markets. Anchored by its unwavering commitment to the Circle of Care philosophy, the brand continues to expand throughout the country—offering exceptional early education experiences for families and unmatched opportunities for franchisees to thrive in a purpose-driven business.

To schedule a tour and learn more about Lightbridge Academy’s early childhood education programs, visit LightbridgeAcademy.com. Learn more about franchise opportunities at LightbridgeAcademy.com/Franchise/

ABOUT LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY
Established in 1997, the company was founded as a family business based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community. Lightbridge Academy, Innovators in Educational Child Care^®, provides quality early education and child care programs to children aged six weeks through Kindergarten. The company currently has over 200 child care centers either open or in development throughout Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The Lightbridge Promise also leads the industry as the Gold Standard for health & safety in the child care industry. In 2026, Lightbridge Academy was awarded the Franchise Business Reviews Franchisee Satisfaction Award and ranked #129 on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list. In 2025, the brand ranked in Entrepreneur’s list of Top Brands for Multi-Unit Owner, was featured on Franchise Times Fast & Serious list, and ranked #248 in Franchise Times Top 400 list. For more information on Lightbridge Academy’s franchise opportunity, information on selling or converting an existing center, or a child care site to submit for review, visit LightbridgeAcademy.com/Franchise.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lightbridge-academy-annual-conference-celebrates-industry-leadership-operational-excellence-and-a-shared-commitment-to-high-quality-early-childhood-education-302719082.html

SOURCE Lightbridge Academy