Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Once celebrated for its affordability and trend-driven styles, fast fashion is now at the center of an evolving web of environmental, legal, and reputational risk beyond the shopping cart—whether purchased in-store or online.

In June, Antea Group had the pleasure of attending The Society of Environmental Insurance Professionals, Inc. (SEIP) Conference. While there, we hosted an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion on the fast fashion sector. This panel offered a 360-degree view of the industry’s lifecycle from fabric sourcing to end-of-use disposal and explored the growing legal and insurance consequences companies now face.

Below, we unpack key insights and takeaways from the panel.

Environmental Impact Across the Fashion Supply Chain

Fast fashion’s environmental toll is vast and touches every stage of the supply chain. Our panel explored several critical areas:

• Fabric sourcing: From water-intensive cotton farming to deforestation for viscose and fossil-fuel-derived polyester, the materials used in fast fashion are major contributors to pollution, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. For example, it takes approximately 2,700 liters of water to produce a single cotton shirt—enough to meet one person’s drinking needs for two and a half years.
• Production: Toxic dyes and chemical runoff are commonplace in textile manufacturing, especially in regions lacking strong environmental regulation. The fashion industry also accounts for an estimated 20% of global wastewater, with many facilities releasing untreated effluent into rivers and streams.
• Distribution & End Use: Rapid shipping and “wear once” consumer behavior compound emissions and waste. Fast fashion’s emphasis on low-cost, disposable clothing means many garments are discarded after just a few wears and deemed effectively “disposable.” With limited options for reuse or recycling, much of this clothing ends up as waste. Additionally, synthetic fabrics release microplastics during washing, polluting oceans, and entering the food chain.

Textile Waste: Key Statistics:

• 92 million tons of clothing waste are generated globally each year
• An estimated 85% of textiles end up in landfills or incinerators
• The U.S. landfills 11.3 million tons of textile waste annually
• Synthetic fibers can take over 200 years to decompose
• Less than 1% of clothing is recycled into new garments

Emerging Legal and Regulatory Pressures

The panelists explored how regulatory bodies are tightening scrutiny, with new laws emerging in the U.S. and EU around environmental disclosures, sustainability claims, and supply chain transparency. Litigation is escalating in several key areas:

• Greenwashing: A growing number of greenwashing lawsuits target companies for misleading environmental claims. New regulations, like the EU Green Claims Directive and proposed FTC Green Guides updates in the U.S., are tightening the standards for what companies can say—and how they substantiate it.
• Bluewashing: Beyond environmental issues, companies are also being called out for making superficial claims about ethical labor practices without meaningful action. These cases often invoke consumer protection laws and create reputational damage that extends across global markets.
• Human Rights Violations: Allegations of forced labor, unsafe working conditions, and wages, especially in overseas garment factories, have led to cross-border litigation, import bans, and supply chain investigations. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act in the U.S. and Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act are just two examples of how governments are cracking down.
• Intellectual Property (IP): With pressure to churn out styles at lightning speed, IP infringement is a growing concern. Smaller designers and major fashion houses alike are pursuing litigation against companies accused of copying designs, sometimes sold as “dupes” with minimal changes.

How Insurance is Evolving to Address Fashion Risks

As litigation and regulatory scrutiny grow, insurance plays an increasingly strategic role in risk management for fashion brands.

Panelists emphasized several critical coverage considerations:

• Commercial General Liability (CGL) and Directors & Officers (D&O) Insurance: These policies may be triggered by lawsuits related to misleading sustainability claims or labor rights violations. D&O policies, in particular, may be tested as company leaders are held personally accountable for ESG-related missteps.
• Product Liability: If chemicals in clothing cause allergic reactions or skin issues, especially among children or sensitive populations, product liability policies may come into play.
• Environmental Liability: Underwriters are now taking a closer look at environmental compliance when insuring textile manufacturers and suppliers. Historic pollution, wastewater discharges, and unremediated contamination can impact insurability.
• Reputational Risk: Insurers are beginning to evaluate a brand’s ESG profile during underwriting—not only to assess risk but also to protect their own reputations. Some carriers may exclude or limit coverage for companies engaged in unsustainable or high-risk practices.

Proactive Risk Management Strategies for Fashion Brands

As fast fashion brands navigate this evolving landscape, they must move beyond reactive compliance and adopt proactive risk mitigation strategies. Our panel shared several best practices:

• Conduct third-party supply chain audits to identify and address environmental and human rights risks.
• Use traceability technologies such as blockchain or digital product passports to improve transparency.
• Train marketing and legal teams to substantiate all environmental or labor-related claims made in advertising and investor materials.
• Align with international standards and certifications such as ISO 14001 (environmental management), GOTS (organic textiles), or Fair Trade.
• Engage insurers early in risk assessment discussions to ensure adequate and responsive coverage.

Industry Response: Embracing the Circular Economy

In response to rising legal scrutiny and environmental accountability, many fashion brands are beginning to embrace circular economy principles. Leading companies are investing in strategies like take-back programs, clothing resale, rental models, and textile recycling to extend the life of garments and reduce waste.

Brands such as Stella McCartney and Eileen Fisher have pioneered closed-loop initiatives, while mainstream retailers like Levi’s and H&M are exploring sustainable material sourcing and in-store collection programs.

These proactive steps not only align with consumer demand for sustainability, but they also demonstrate due diligence that may help mitigate regulatory risk and improve insurability. For insurers, these efforts signal a reduced risk profile, as companies show they’re actively managing environmental liabilities and reputational exposure.

From Trend to Accountability

Fast fashion is no longer just a consumer preference—it’s a focal point for regulatory scrutiny, investor pressure, and legal accountability. As courts, consumers, and insurers demand more transparency, brands must evolve or risk serious consequences.

The good news? Proactive strategies, informed insurance coverage, and responsible sourcing can position companies not only for compliance but for long-term resilience and credibility in the fashion industry.

Key Takeaways

• Environmental impacts span every stage of the fast fashion supply chain.
• Regulatory frameworks in the U.S. and EU are cracking down on greenwashing and labor rights violations.
• Lawsuits and insurance claims are rising—especially in areas like ESG disclosures, product safety, and IP theft.
• Insurers are scrutinizing brands’ sustainability practices and reputational risks.
• Brands need to shift from reactive compliance to proactive risk mitigation and transparency.
• Investing in circular fashion strategies can help brands reduce environmental impact, demonstrate regulatory due diligence, and improve their insurability in the face of rising legal and ESG-related risks.

Questions? Reach out to our team of experts today to get your questions answered! 

Originally published on GoDaddy Newsroom

TEMPE, Ariz., August 28, 2025 /3BL/ — GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) recently introduced GoDaddy Capital ¹, a merchant cash advance program that puts up to $1 million in the hands of small- and medium-sized businesses in as little as 24 hours. Available only to GoDaddy Payments users, the new offering lets small businesses pay down the advance through a fixed percentage of each day’s sales, giving them one streamlined platform to take payments, manage cash flow and secure working capital.

Small Businesses Struggle to Scale Due to Limited Financial Resources

A recent survey of 2,100 U.S. small businesses from the GoDaddy Small Business Research Lab found the need for access to capital is a common theme:

• More than half of small businesses (51%) said they operate with limited cash flow, which they consider their biggest financial barrier to growth.
• Around 1 in 5 (21%) identified access to capital as one of their top three challenges when starting their business — a consistent trend over the past five years.
• Nearly 1 in 3 (31%) listed access to capital/funding as a primary hurdle to scaling their business — reinforcing the sustained need for more flexible financing solutions.

“In today’s AI-driven, agentic world—where SMBs expect fast, intuitive, and seamless experiences—the standard banking loan process is surprisingly archaic,” said Kasturi Mudulodu, president of Commerce at GoDaddy. “When a business needs a small, quick infusion of capital, banks call it ‘too small,’ drown owners in paperwork, and demand rigid payment terms. To make financing simple and intuitive for small businesses, we built GoDaddy Capital right into the GoDaddy dashboard. GoDaddy Capital provides quick, variable-size funding and gives businesses the ability to adjust payments on the cash advance based on their success.”

How GoDaddy Capital Works

1. Submit an application—With no paperwork, applying only takes a few clicks and there is no impact to the small business’s credit. Businesses can apply from their GoDaddy Commerce Home dashboard.
2. Choose from customized offers – Businesses can review several offers of $500 to $1 million based on their monthly sales, and decide which is best for their business goals.
3. Receive funding quickly—Once approved, business owners will get funded in as little as 24 hours.
4. Enjoy flexible payments in proportion to sales—GoDaddy Capital automatically reserves a fixed percentage of the business’s sales, enabling merchants to pay down the cash advance more during the busier months and less when business slows.
5. Get funds, grow, repeat—After an initial cash advance, if the business is eligible, they can apply for more to keep growing.

GoDaddy Capital Helps Small Businesses Grow

Small business owner and GoDaddy customer Michael Wood has tapped GoDaddy Capital on four separate occasions to help grow his business, Jacksonville Chimney Pros. To date he’s received over $100,000 in capital.

“GoDaddy Capital was hard to beat,” said Wood. “The convenience, quick approval process and next-day funding let me take on more large projects without keeping a large buffer in the bank.”

GoDaddy Capital empowers small businesses through:

• Built-in flexible payments help business owners easily balance budgets and grow manageably, which is especially important for seasonal businesses.
• Quickly getting funded can unlock businesses’ ability to buy more inventory or upgrade their equipment, broaden their market reach, drive operational success, or boost their cash flow to support long-term growth.
• Having access to capital within their GoDaddy dashboard saves businesses time by having one place to accomplish everything.

To learn more about GoDaddy Capital or sign up for GoDaddy Payments, visit GoDaddy.com/payments.

¹ GoDaddy Capital funding subject to application, underwriting, and approval, which is provided solely by GoDaddy’s partners. Credit decisions and cash advances are managed solely by GoDaddy’s partners.

About GoDaddy
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo^®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

Franklin Templeton values the power of giving back. Every June, employees unite for Impact Days — global volunteering events that create meaningful change in the communities where they live and work.

This year, more than 1,100 employees around the world showed their generous spirit during Franklin Templeton’s 19th annual Impact Days, completing 117 volunteering projects. From distributing school bags to children, preparing and serving meals, to supporting organizations like Habitat for Humanity, volunteers made a visible impact while reaffirming their commitment to service.

In June, employees recorded nearly 5,600 volunteer hours and supported 99 charitable organizations across 61 locations worldwide.

Read the article featuring global events.

Locally, employees gave back to the community through events including serving food, engaging with students, renovating green areas and donating essential goods to those in need.

Read about the inspiring efforts of Franklin Templeton volunteers below. 

 

North America events

New York

Employees from the NYC office kicked off Impact Days with the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge, assembling a team of around 120 participants to represent Franklin Templeton and all its specialist investment managers (SIMs).

As part of Impact Days, the NYC office supported Bottomless Closet, a nonprofit empowering woman in need in New York City to join the workforce, by donating professional clothing, shoes and accessories to help them make a strong first impression.

Boston

The Franklin Templeton Boston office took part in the JP Morgan Challenge as a group of 58 participants, supporting the Ron Burton Training Village, which aims to empower youth through education, leadership, physical wellness, social advancement and spiritual growth.

For the second consecutive year, on June 25 Boston office partnered with Rise Against Hunger (RAH) to help combat global food insecurity. In just two hours, 34 volunteers packed 6,264 meals, or 29 boxes—one box will feed a child for an entire school year.

On July 9, Boston employees volunteered at Lazarus House Food Pantry, distributing supplemental groceries to almost 1,800 individuals.

Pasadena

Employees in the Pasadena office participated in Impact Days by organizing a campus beautification initiative at Thurgood Marshall Secondary School. As part of the school’s Centennial Mural Project, Western Asset/Franklin Templeton employees helped paint science-themed murals under the direction of arts teacher Luis Rendon, contributing to a vibrant celebration of academic excellence and community engagement.

To support families affected by the Eaton Fire, Western Asset/Franklin Templeton employees donated supplies and assembled 200 toiletry kits for the Pasadena Educational Foundation. These kits were distributed to displaced Pasadena public school families, offering essential hygiene items and a meaningful gesture of care during their recovery.

Toronto

The Toronto team made sandwiches and sorted clothing for the Common Table, a community-run initiative that helps distribute food and services to people in need.

Toronto employees partnered with Tree Canada to plant and mulch native trees and shrubs with the goal of boosting biodiversity, improving air and water quality and enhancing parkland for people and wildlife.

Continuing their green efforts, Toronto employees participated in the North Etobicoke Child Care Garden Project, helping to create and plant a small teaching garden at a YMCA Child Care Centre.

Calgary

Employees from the Calgary office volunteered at the Women in Need Society (WINS) warehouse, sorting and inspecting clothing for WINS thrift stores across the city. Proceeds from these stores help connect women and their families with essential resources to thrive.

Rancho Cordova

Rancho Cordova employees supported Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento, working alongside the homeowners on a building day to support affordable housing.

St. Petersburg

Employees at the St. Petersburg office volunteered at the Kind Mouse, an organization dedicated to feeding local children who suffer from chronic hunger and food insecurities.

San Mateo

Employees from the San Mateo office and their families partnered with Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) to support STEAM education. Together, volunteers assembled 200 mini catapult kits, each serving 10 students, to help bridge the education gap through hands-on learning.

Volunteers at the San Mateo office again partnered with Rise Against Hunger, making 10,125 meals for communities facing high rates of food insecurity. This marked Franklin Templeton’s 13th Rise Against Hunger event, bringing the total to over 130,000 meals packaged.

Mexico City

In Mexico, employees came together during Impact Days through a team-building event, where colleagues and family members participated in various activities and sessions, including one focused on vulnerability.

EMEA events

Dublin

As part of a fundraising effort for Debra Ireland, employees in the Dublin office bravely abseiled 150 feet (46 meters) from the roof of Croke Park. Debra Ireland supports individuals and families affected by epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare and painful skin condition. The team placed third on the leaderboard and raised over €3,000 to help fund vital services like specialist nursing care and family support.

Poznan

Fifteen volunteers came together to support the City Intervention Center (Miejskie Centrum Interwencji Kryzysowej w Poznaniu) with garden maintenance and room renovation tasks. Despite the challenging weather conditions and remote location, volunteers enthusiastically showed their passion for community service.

The Poznan office organized a film screening of the Oscar-winning film Flow for migrants, refugees and supporters living in Poznan and the region for an evening of cultural connection and community. Organized with Migrant Info Point, the event featured bilingual icebreakers and a post-film discussion that fostered meaningful dialogue and mutual understanding.

Employees in Poznan organized a local cleanup, taking a morning walk near the office to collect litter and beautify the neighborhood, reflecting their commitment to community care and environmental responsibility in the workplace.

Poznan employees collected food and monetary donations to support animals in need at a local animal shelter, personally delivering the contributions during a visit. While there, they helped clean the cat area and spent time comforting and caring for the animals.

Through May and June, Poznan employees participated in a run and bike challenge in support of the Wózkowicze Foundation. Participants tracked their progress via Strava while competing for milestones and awards. The initiative combined wellness with purpose, encouraging employees to stay active while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Poznan employees joined Zupa na Głównym, a local group that serves warm meals every Saturday to people experiencing homelessness. Poznan volunteers helped prepare and distribute the meals.

South Africa

Employees from the South Africa office volunteered at the Meals on Wheels organization, preparing meals for over 200 homeless individuals at a local shelter in Cape Town. The event coincided with Nelson Mandela Day on July 18, amplifying its spirit of service and community impact.

Edinburgh

Employees from the Edinburgh office partnered with the Borders Forest Trust to support native woodland restoration in Southern Scotland. The team removed approximately 1,500 protective casings from trees planted over a decade ago, helping them grow more naturally.

APAC events

Singapore

Franklin Templeton Singapore hosted a “build-a-bear” session in collaboration with Threads of Courage (TOC), a community initiative that equips individuals facing employment challenges with sewing skills and income opportunities.

In collaboration with the Singapore Waterways Watch Society, the Singapore team headed out on kayaks at the Marina Reservoir, collecting 51 pounds (23 kg) of plastic waste.

A group of employees headed to the Food Bank Singapore to help sort the donated canned items used in their CAN food drive sculpture, which was part of global Impact Days event.

Kuala Lumpur

In partnership with the Intellectually Disabled Association Malaysia (IDA) in Puchong, employees volunteered their time to brighten the center’s walls with hand-painted designs—bringing color, creativity and community spirit to the space.

Tokyo

Employees from the Franklin Templeton Japan office volunteered at a local community gathering place in Tokyo, which offers affordable meals and a welcoming environment for working parents and their children.

Volunteers supported reception, meal prep, souvenir packing and venue setup and cleanup, demonstrating strong teamwork and making a meaningful impact on their first visit.

Tokyo volunteers also participated in a “plogging” event—collecting litter while jogging through Marunouchi, where the office is located. Plogging, a blend of the Swedish “plocka upp” (pick up) and “jogging,” promotes well-being, self-affirmation and community connection through sustainable action. In just 60 minutes, they gathered approximately 24 pounds (11 kg) of litter—up from 10 kg in 2023.

Hyderabad

The Hyderabad team united for a meaningful day of school renovation at Government MPUPS in Kothwalguda, transforming classrooms with murals on internet safety, human anatomy, maps and alphabets. Beyond the creative work, the event fostered cross-team connections and community spirit, making a memorable contribution to Impact Days.

Volunteers from Hyderabad visited the Ideal School for Disabled, engaging around 100 students with visual, hearing and intellectual disabilities through games and creative activities. Employees learned basic sign language to connect with children and distributed notebooks to each student, fostering joy and meaningful interaction.

Mumbai

In celebration of Global Involved Day on June 24, Mumbai employees teamed up with the Vatsalya Foundation, an agency working for children in need of care and protection in Mumbai city. Volunteers engaged with children in crafting birdseed ornaments, vibrant string art and launching whirlybirds, fostering community spirit and creativity.

Employees in the Mumbai office also partnered with Aabha Parivartanvaadi Sanstha for a seedball preparation event, where Involved volunteers handcrafted over 640 seedballs using more than 77 pounds (35 kg) of soil. The initiative combined teamwork, environmental stewardship and community spirit to support a greener Maharashtra and a healthier planet.

Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy and passion to making a difference in our communities around the world.

About Franklin Templeton 
Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE: BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton’s mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in equity, fixed income, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of July 31, 2025. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Rockwell Automation, Inc., the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has been selected by Utility Global to provide the control and automation platform for its proprietary H2Gen® systems featuring Utility’s patented zero-electricity hydrogen production technology.

Utility is transforming industrial hydrogen production with systems designed for modular construction, customized performance, and seamless integration into existing assets and infrastructure. Featuring a breakthrough technology for hydrogen production from water without electricity that operates autonomously, H2Gen systems deliver clean, reliable hydrogen tailored to the steel, mobility, chemical, refining and oil and gas industries. These systems significantly reduce carbon emissions and lower operational and capital costs. This innovation makes the energy transition economically viable for industrial operators worldwide.

“Rockwell’s automation technology accelerates our ability to execute commercial deployments,” said Parker Meeks, President and CEO of Utility. “Their proven industrial expertise strengthens our mission to deliver economic clean hydrogen to the hard-to-abate sectors. The first application of Rockwell’s automation technology is in the start-up of our Houston commercial unit, which is now being commissioned. This unit will then be deployed into biogas applications in 2026.”

To support this objective, Utility selected Rockwell’s PlantPAx® Distributed Control System along with a suite of software and network hardware including FactoryTalk® View, FactoryTalk® AssetCentre, FactoryTalk® Historian and Logix Process Controllers. This suite was selected for its ability to scale from small to large commercial deployments without requiring a shift in control architecture – laying the groundwork for flexible project execution plans.

“We’re excited to work with Utility Global to support their innovative approach to sustainable hydrogen production,” said Michael Sweet, director, New Energy, Rockwell Automation. “Our integrated control and information platform helps bring new energy technologies to life with the security, reliability and flexibility needed for industrial applications. Rockwell’s integrated solutions are enabling near-term decarbonization by accelerating the deployment of scalable, low-carbon energy solutions like Utility’s H2Gen systems.

Learn more about Rockwell and its role in enabling cleaner, smarter operations across industries.

Originally published on GEC’s News Feed

The Global Electronics Council (GEC) is proud to participate in Climate Week NYC 2025, the world’s largest annual climate event, hosted by Climate Group in coordination with the United Nations and the City of New York. Taking place September 21–28, Climate Week brings together leaders from business, government, and civil society to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future.

As part of The Hub Live, Climate Group’s flagship leadership forum, CEO Bob Mitchell will join business, finance, and policy leaders for the session “From prototype to powerhouse – scaling cleantech beyond the lab” on Monday, September 22, 3:40–4:30 pm. This panel is part of the Nature, Food Systems and Health stream, which explores how interconnected systems shape both climate outcomes and human well-being.

With U.S. cleantech investment expected to exceed $100 billion in 2025, the session will examine how to accelerate commercialization while ensuring sustainable, equitable growth. Bob will contribute GEC’s global perspective as a convener, standard-setter, and solutions provider for sustainable technology. His insights will focus on the following imperatives:

• Cleantech must be clean from beginning to end of the supply chain. As we scale EVs, batteries, solar installations, and data infrastructure, we must confront the hidden risks: toxic materials, exploitative labor, and unsustainable extraction. Without strong standards and oversight, we risk solving one crisis while fueling another.
• The market needs clear signals – and standards can deliver them. Investors and buyers need credible, science-based frameworks to identify truly sustainable technologies. GEC’s globally recognized standards are helping innovators prove their impact, de-risk investments, and break through to mass adoption.
• Commercialization must come with accountability. Speed is critical, but not at the expense of people or the planet. GEC helps companies embed responsible practices from prototype to production – turning ESG from a box-tick into a growth enabler.
• Scaling cleantech means scaling trust. GEC works across the ecosystem – from manufacturers to policymakers – to ensure cleantech earns and sustains public trust, through transparency, ethics, and performance.

Through this lens, Bob will highlight how credible standards, cross-sector collaboration, and systemic accountability are essential to scaling cleantech beyond the lab.

Published by Las Vegas Sands on June 10, 2025

LAS VEGAS, August 28, 2025 /3BL/ – Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) has contributed $270,000 to The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada (The Center) through Sands Cares to empower its Sands Cares Accelerator goal of expanding marketing and communications, as well as provide underwriting for organizational and administrative needs.

The Center is focusing on building marketing capabilities as part of the Sands Cares Accelerator, which is Sands’ exclusive three-year membership program aimed at advancing nonprofits to deliver greater community impact. The 2025 Sands Cares donation also sustains The Center’s administrative office space and other operational needs to accommodate its ongoing expansion.

The Center has been a vital part of the Las Vegas Valley for 30 years and provides a safe, non-judgmental environment for life-enriching programs, wellness services, events, education and support for people who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies of the community. As the hub for an array of essential resources and care, The Center operates two clinics that deliver physical and mental health care and spearheads a variety of community service programs, advocacy initiatives and inclusive programming.

“We are growing exponentially, and the infusion of support Sands has given us is a significant part of our evolution – both from a physical standpoint in providing the resources for our administrative operations, as well as in giving us the impetus to build greater visibility and awareness,” John Waldron, CEO of The Center, said. “The marketing capability we’ve been able to build through the Sands Cares Accelerator has greatly expanded our stature, while the administrative support provides us with a firm foundation. Sands really understands our strategic vision and has provided vital resources to help us realize our goals.”

The 2025 Sands Cares donation supports The Center’s third and final year in the Sands Cares Accelerator with resources for its goal to build a solid marketing and communications program. The Center is using this year’s Sands Cares Accelerator resources to further build out communications plans, evolve its annual Impact Report, produce new videos to tell its story and engage with donors, and continue efforts to launch a podcast.

Sands Cares Accelerator resources previously underwrote an advertising campaign that helped The Center double the number of visitors within three months of opening its second health care center, the Gavin J. Goorjian Community Health Center, which offers primary and gynecological care as well as pharmacy services. The new facility serves as the cornerstone of The Center’s health and wellness efforts.

The Sands Cares Accelerator was inspired by Sands’ founder Sheldon G. Adelson and his legacy of creating successful businesses and giving back to communities through meaningful philanthropic involvement. Since 2017, the program has empowered Las Vegas, Singapore and Macao nonprofits to build their capacity in strategic areas to make greater community impact through funding, facilitation, and strategic counsel and consulting from Sands Team Members.

The 2025 Sands Cares contribution also continues underwriting for The Center’s administrative office space, including its lease, operational functions and refurbishment. The administrative office is housed in a separate location from The Center’s main campus through funding from Sands, which has enabled the organization to expand staff and programming at the main campus.

“The Center’s momentum and expansion both in our Sands Cares Accelerator and for the organization as a whole has been tremendous to see,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, said. “Our investment is geared toward helping The Center continue this trajectory with resources in identified areas to help the organization run effectively and tell its story to all those who can benefit from and support the mission.”

Sands’ partnership with The Center falls under the company’s priorities on nonprofit partner advancement and support for organizations serving diverse communities under the global Sands

Cares community engagement program. To learn more about Sands Cares, visit sands.com/responsibility/communities/.

To learn more about The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada, visit https://thecenterlv.org/.

# # #

About Sands (NYSE: LVS)

Sands is the leading global developer and operator of integrated resorts. The company’s iconic properties drive valuable leisure and business tourism and deliver significant economic benefits, sustained job creation, financial opportunities for local businesses and community investment to help make its host regions ideal places to live, work and visit.

Sands’ portfolio of properties includes Marina Bay Sands® in Singapore and The Venetian® Macao, The Londoner Macao®, The Parisian Macao®, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, and Sands® Macao in Macao SAR, China, through majority ownership in Sands China Ltd.

Dedicated to being a leader in corporate responsibility, Sands is anchored by the core tenets of serving people, communities and the planet. The company’s ESG leadership has led to inclusion on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for World and North America. To learn more, visit www.sands.com.

About The LGBTQ+ Center of Southern Nevada

For 30 years, The Center has served as a safe, non-judgmental space where members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies receive the services, education and support to thrive. Services fall under three categories: health and wellness, advocacy and community building.

Contacts:

Kristin Koca
Sands
702.923.9142
Kristin.Koca@sands.com

Kendall Tenney
10e Media
702.303.6702
ktenney@10emedia.com

• Modular and DC Grid design can be deployed with 30% lower capex in a 30% smaller footprint while delivering up to a 30% reduction in ongoing operational costs, compared to other available solutions
• Joint solution debuts at the RE+ trade show September 9, where Eaton will demonstrate broad capabilities advancing electrification and energy transition

CLEVELAND and CAMPBELL, Calif., August 28, 2025 /3BL/ – Intelligent power management company Eaton, together with ChargePoint, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, today announced an ultrafast charging architecture with end-to-end power infrastructure for public charging and fleets. ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton, is a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capable solution that delivers up to 600kW of power for passenger EVs and can provide megawatt charging for heavy-duty commercial applications.

The innovative integration of ChargePoint’s Express chargers with Eaton’s end-to-end electrical solutions delivers a powerful solution to overcome grid constraints, addressing the challenge of how to cost-effectively scale charging for the growing number of EVs entering service. By leveraging Eaton’s Everything as a Grid approach and integrated V2X capabilities, the system can seamlessly synchronize onsite renewables, energy storage and vehicle batteries with local energy markets to help fleets significantly reduce fueling costs. When deployed at scale with participating utilities, the joint architecture can even help balance the electric grid.

“Accelerating electrification at scale hinges on industry-changing technology from trusted manufacturers that can be deployed faster while achieving new levels of reliability and efficiency at a significantly lower cost,” said Paul Ryan, vice president and general manager of energy transition at Eaton. “Our partnership with ChargePoint is an accelerator for innovation in electrification, with novel technology today and into the future that makes going electric the smart choice.”

“The new ChargePoint Express architecture, and particularly the Express Grid variant, will take DC fast charging to levels of performance and cost not previously imagined. This latest technological breakthrough further demonstrates our commitment to deliver innovation,” said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint. “Combined with Eaton’s end-to-end grid capabilities, ChargePoint is delivering solutions to help EVs win on pure economics, regardless of tax incentives or government support.”

Eaton will custom engineer each Express configuration with comprehensive power infrastructure delivered site-ready with the option of a skid-mounted solution to expedite installation, reduce equipment requirements, and simplify connection to the grid and distributed energy resources (DERs). Eaton also plans to commercialize solid-state transformer technology in the next year through its recent acquisition of Resilient Power Systems Inc. to support DC applications in the EV market and beyond.

The ChargePoint Express Grid, powered by Eaton, will debut at the RE+ trade show in Las Vegas where Eaton will demonstrate broad capabilities advancing electrification and energy transition in Booth #V8071. Additionally, Eaton’s vice president of engineering and technology Luiz Huet de Bacellar will discuss the benefits of DC microgrids and how Eaton is working to advance safety standards for DC technologies during the conference. Learn more here.

Express solutions will be available to order for select customers in the first quarter of 2026 in North America and Europe, with deliveries beginning in the second half of 2026. Learn more about the ChargePoint Express line of EV chargers.

About ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. 

ChargePoint has established itself as the leader in electric vehicle (EV) charging innovation since its inception in 2007, long before EVs became widely available. The company provides comprehensive solutions tailored to the entire EV ecosystem, from the grid to the dashboard of the vehicle. The company serves EV drivers, charging station owners, vehicle manufacturers, and similar types of stakeholders. With a commitment to accessibility and reliability, ChargePoint’s extensive portfolio of software, hardware, and services ensures a seamless charging experience for drivers across North America and Europe. ChargePoint empowers every driver in need of charging access, connecting them to over 1.25 million charging ports worldwide. ChargePoint has facilitated the powering of more than 16 billion electric miles, underscoring its dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and electrifying the future of transportation. For further information, please visit the ChargePoint pressroom or the ChargePoint Investor Relations site. For media inquiries, contact the ChargePoint press office.

About Eaton 

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of nearly $25 billion in 2024, the company serves customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Kristin Somers
+1.919.345.3714
Kristincsomers@eaton.com

Regina Parundik
Cobblestone Communications
+1.412.559.1614
Regina@cobblecreative.com

ChargePoint

AJ Gosselin
Director, Corporate Communications
AJ.Gosselin@chargepoint.com
media@chargepoint.com

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Sometimes you find the most rewarding things in unexpected places, like when Amy Brabender took the plunge to enter a career in the manufacturing field with Saint-Gobain Life Sciences! 

Amy, a production supervisor, shares her journey from distribution to manufacturing, highlighting the rewards and opportunities for growth in the industry.

Saint-Gobain is an industry leader with thousands of talented team members who are dedicated to one unified purpose: Making the World a Better Home. With more than 160 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada, there are so many robust and fulfilling career opportunities available. You’ll have the opportunity to work with colleagues from a wide range of businesses, cultures, and experiences.

About Success in the Making

Anyone can be a manufacturer! Whether you are just starting out or transitioning your career path, the manufacturing industry presents opportunities for success. Saint-Gobain North America’s Success in the Making series features the stories of team members who built their careers in manufacturing and thrived!

Watch the full Success in the Making 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 

• Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program has evaluated 60 sites, attracted 1,950 new jobs and $493 million in capital investment in Florida since the program began in 2013
• Six high-potential business and industrial sites were selected for the 2025 program

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., August 28, 2025 /3BL/ – Duke Energy selected six properties in Florida to complete its 2025 Site Readiness Program, which prepares high-potential business and industrial sites for economic development investments and markets them nationwide to companies looking to expand or relocate their operations.

Bringing investments, jobs to Florida: Since 2013, Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program has evaluated 60 sites. 10 companies have selected and committed to growing on sites that have been through the program. Those companies are bringing over $493 million in new capital investment and 1,950 new jobs for Florida.

One of the recent Site Readiness project successes included the development of an Amazon location in Highlands County. The project resulted in 60 new jobs and $25 million in capital investment for the local community.

About the program: The Duke Energy Site Readiness Program sparks economic growth by helping communities understand what steps to take in order to make their sites more competitive. In turn, this results in new jobs, investment in the community and diversification of the local tax base.

During the program, consultants, designers and engineers including Zev Cohen & Associates, Kolb Design Group, Vision First Advisors, Strategic Development Group and Site Selection Group are engaged to analyze the sites.

Together, the group works with state, regional, and local economic development organizations, community government and other utilities to ultimately improve and increase awareness of industrial sites.

What they’re saying

Melissa Seixas, president, Duke Energy Florida: “The Site Readiness program is one example of the proactive economic development initiatives that Duke Energy pursues to help spark investment in the communities we serve. Through this program, we’re able to connect high-potential sites with companies that infuse capital and jobs into local communities for years to come.”

Destin Wells, senior vice president of economic development, Orlando Economic Partnership: “Duke Energy’s Site Readiness Program plays a critical role in strengthening the Orlando region’s ability to attract and compete for transformative business investments. By identifying and preparing high-potential sites, the program accelerates development timelines and brings greater visibility to our region’s industrial assets. Through the leadership of our economic development team, led by Senior Director Tracy Garcia, our collaboration with Duke Energy also enhances OEP’s site readiness program, D.I.R.T. (Development Initiative for Regional Transformation), combining local insight with infrastructure expertise to drive quality job creation and sustainable growth across Central Florida.”

The 2025 Site Readiness Program locations include:

1. Winnin LLLP Property, Seminole County, Central Florida
    
2. City of Perry Property, Taylor County, North Florida
    
3. Sherrill Property, Levy County, North Florida
    
4. Lake County Industrial Park, Lake County, Central Florida
    
5. Bar 7 Ranch, Osceola County, Central Florida
    
6. Fort Meade Industrial Site, Polk County, Central Florida

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Laitin Sterling
24-Hour: 800.559.3853

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