Originally published on 3M News Center

When you come aboard 3M’s Safety Roadshow – a 90-foot semitrailer equipped with hands-on training experiences from 3M’s Personal Safety Division – the hum of robotics machinery and student chatter is unavoidable. That was the case at Joe T. Robinson High School, one of three stops in the Little Rock area this spring where more than 200 students eagerly took on roles as production managers, design engineers, assemblers, and quality control inspectors – all working feverously to create the perfect set of modeling clay “cookie” based on customer requirements.

That scene was part of 3M’s recent engagements with the company’s mobile training facility in communities where 3M manufacturing sites are located. The goal is to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – and the skilled trades.

The Safety Roadshow, which has been visiting training centers and customers in the U.S. and Canada for 11 years, expanded its reach to school districts for the first time this year. 

“Opportunities with visits like this help open a world of possibilities for students while helping address the future workforce needs of our country,” said Michelle Diggs, 3M’s director of external community impact.

In sessions during each roadshow stop, students were grouped together and each took charge of different aspects of their simulated production line. A table-top robot analyzed their clay “cookies” to determine if they met the required standards, allowing students to tweak their creations until they achieved success.

“All jobs in a production process do their own things and collaborate to create one product,” Madison Chang, a tenth grader in the school’s Science and Technology pathway, told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette after her session.

Markous Jewett, vice president of the Academies of Central Arkansas and the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of extending learning beyond classroom walls.

“These are things we wouldn’t be able to do in a traditional classroom setting,” he said. “We lean on our industry partners to provide their time, talent, and expertise.”

The Safety Roadshow also introduced students to a wide range of personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, eye and hearing protection, and respirators.

Stephanie Baum, sales training manager for PSD, highlighted the preventative nature of the exercise.

“If we can have those conversations before they’re even entering the workforce, they can help educate and empower themselves and their coworkers,” she said.

By bringing real-world insights and hands-on experiences to students, 3M aims to bridge the gap in STEM and skilled trades industries.

“Innovation isn’t just about science,” Baum added. “It’s about looking at things differently and partnering with communities to teach in new ways.”

While in Little Rock, 3M presented a check to the Pulaski County Special School District for $119,000, which included funds for strategic investments for the school system determined by students and administrators, funds from the 3M Little Rock “hometown giving” site budget for College Station Elementary School, and funds from the 3Mgives Little Rock Donors Choose classroom support budget for projects submitted by College Station Elementary teachers.

Earlier the same week, the Safety Roadshow visited the Career Academies of Decatur – a high school in Decatur, Alabama, established in 2024 as the first high school in north Alabama dedicated to STEM and skilled trades. More than 250 students took part in sessions similar to those in Little Rock, including problem-solving games where students had to unscramble terms to identify and appropriately dress a mannequin with correct PPE.

Also, while in Decatur, 3M donated $215,000 to the Decatur City Schools Foundation, which included seed and launch funding for the Career Academies’ industrial maintenance program, and funding for districtwide after-school tutoring and food security assistance programs.

3M’s Safety Roadshow will continue its stops throughout 2025, with student engagements planned for Indiana, Minnesota, and Texas.

Originally published on Principal.com

We get it: Principal® is a big company with a lot of fancy jobs, and applying to work here may be intimidating if your resume doesn’t include a four-year degree or professional experiences. But guess what? It doesn’t need to.

Our 12-month apprenticeship program places aspiring professionals in full-time, entry-level roles in Des Moines, Iowa. What makes it special isn’t just the job—or the pay, or the benefits package—it’s the built-in support system designed to help you thrive in a corporate environment.

“It’s like starting a career with training wheels,” says Melissa P., a customer service apprentice who joined Principal after graduating high school.

Great candidates are …

  • eager to learn
  • service-oriented
  • strong communicators
  • interested in building a career in financial services

You don’t need a college degree.

Read on for three ways the program helps open doors for new professionals.

1. On-the-job training

Because week one is sometimes the hardest at a new job, the apprenticeship program strives to ease the transition period.

Melissa recalls an open house before she was even hired, where she met her leader and had a chance to ask questions about the role.

And when she was onboarding (training and getting acclimated), she says her leader proactively explained not just how things are done but also why, knowing this was her first role in a professional environment.

“My leader and all my trainers have been amazing,” she says. “I had a very structured training, and even now, I continue to have plenty of support. No one expects me to be perfect—just to learn from any mistakes.”

2. One-on-one coaching from HR

In addition to a leader, each apprentice also has a coach from our human resources (HR) learning and development team. They schedule regular check-ins and tailor what you work on.

“It’s very comforting knowing I have someone outside my actual role that I can go to for questions that might seem silly to other people,” Melissa says. “Anything from ‘How do I book a meeting room?’ to ‘What should I sign up for with my benefits?’ to ‘How can I explore what my future might look like here? … My coach tailors our meetings to whatever I’m needing.”

3. Networking opportunities

The apprenticeship program launches once a year with a class of 10–12 apprentices. This way, the peer group can go through the program together—networking, meeting for lunches, and learning from each other along the way.

One highlight for Melissa: Watching big company meetings as a group and being able to discuss the executives’ talking points together.

Coaches can also help facilitate networking opportunities. “I mentioned I wanted to make more connections throughout the company, and right away my coach took down my interests and set up meetings for me to meet people in various roles,” Melissa says.

A launch pad for career growth

For Melissa, the apprenticeship program provided an ideal entry point to professional life.

“I didn’t want to go to college straight out of high school because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do in my career,” Melissa says. “This gives me a foot in the door and an opportunity to explore what my future role could be.”

After 12 months, apprentices have the opportunity to be hired into their roles or similar roles in operations, customer service, marketing, sales, and technical support. Like any employee, you’ll have access to education assistance benefits (which can help pay tuition for college/relevant coursework) and growth and development opportunities throughout your career at Principal.

By design, the apprenticeship program helps Principal bring in early-career talent while also supporting our social goals of promoting financial security in the community.

Principal® is an equal opportunity employer and an E-Verify participant. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion or religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, sexual orientation, marital status, domestic partner status, military status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also prohibit harassment on these bases.

Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal (dol.gov)

If at any stage of the employment application process you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, contact Human Resources at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947. Read our employment policies for more information.

Recruitment fraud is a scheme that offers fictitious job opportunities to people. This type of fraud is normally done through online services such as bogus websites, social media, or through unsolicited emails/SMS texts claiming to be from Principal or Principal employees. Only applicants who have filled out an official application on our career site (careers.principal.com) will be considered for employment opportunities. Principal will never ask for money during any stage of the employment application process. If you receive a communication (e.g., LinkedIn message, Facebook Messenger, SMS text, personal email, etc.) asking for money or personal financial information, don’t engage or respond. Please contact our Human Resources team at MyHR@principal.com or 1-866-524-6947, and your local law enforcement. For more information, review our recruitment fraud information.

You can review our U.S. workforce privacy notice (PDF).

Insurance products and plan administrative services provided through Principal Life Insurance Company®, a member of the Principal Financial Group®, Des Moines, IA 50392.

4368581-042025

 

Gildan is pleased to announce that its Canadian and U.S. operations have been certified at the Silver level by Women in Governance for their gender parity efforts. With this, Gildan joins 70 other recognized organizations, highlighting the Company’s advancements in creating an inclusive environment with an equitable representation of women to men.

“This certification is a testament to Gildan’s persistent and dedicated efforts to achieve gender parity at all levels of the organization; of notable mention, is Gildan’s Next Generation ESG strategy goal of achieving gender parity at the Director-level and above positions by 2027,” says Esther Hackett, Vice-President of Human Resources at Gildan. “Additionally, both the Canadian and U.S. certifications provide us with an opportunity to learn about the strengths uniquely possessed by our operations in each region, as well as identify relevant pathways towards improvement.”

Over the years, Gildan has implemented programs to empower women from different regions and at different levels of the organization. One of its most successful programs in Canada and the U.S. has been Women in Leadership – Ignite Your Impact, which brings together women from the manager-level and above for development and networking opportunities. The Company has also been enhancing its succession planning to build more equitable pipelines of future leaders, making gender parity a priority right from the hiring stage.

Created in 2017, the Women in Governance Parity Certification evaluates organizations on over 75 quantitative and qualitative criteria in alignment with country-specific regulations, taking into account the multiple impacts of diversity in women’s career advancement. The Certification consists of a thorough diagnostic of an organization’s position on the gender parity spectrum as it pertains to its strategies (culture and commitments), actions (communications, policy and programs), and the results they yield.

For more information about the Women in Governance Parity Certification, click here

To learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Gildan, click here.

Saint-Gobain North America today announced that it has been recognized with a Silver Stevie® Award in the 23rd annual American Business Awards®. This award was earned in the category of Large Manufacturing Company of the Year in celebration of Saint-Gobain’s circularity initiatives, rapid growth in North America, and commitment to building the future of the manufacturing industry.

The American Business Awards® are the leading business awards program in the United States. They are open to all organizations operating in the U.S.— whether public or private, for-profit or non-profit, large or small.

The recognition comes as Saint-Gobain celebrates its 360-year anniversary, with worldwide festivities, including a visit to the United States as part of its 360 Years Young Video Series. The award recognizes multiple investments made by Saint-Gobain across North America to better serve its customers, initiatives to build circularity in its production, and actions taken to build the future generation of the manufacturing workforce. They include:

“As a company with a mission of Making the World a Better Home, it is an honor to be recognized for our work to grow in North America, while building more sustainable production practices and the future of the industry,” said Mark Rayfield, President and CEO of Saint-Gobain North America. “This is an award I share with the entire North American team, whose work makes this award possible, and I thank the American Business Awards for this great honor.”

This recognition from the American Business Awards is the latest Saint-Gobain North America has received in recent months for its commitment to Making the World a Better Home:

  • Earlier this month, Saint-Gobain announced that it was honored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program with a 2025 Better Practice Award. Participants in Saint-Gobain’s unique Essentials of Manufacturing program developed, then piloted an Energy Management System program across 4 sites, training 82 individuals in 14 different business units to support sustainability goals through enhanced energy management knowledge and resources;
  • In April, Saint-Gobain announced that members of its team were recognized as finalists for three 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards by the National Association of Manufacturers including its Circular Economy Solutions team, ONE PRECISION ASSEMBLIES™ by CertainTeed, and CisLee Trost, Project Engineer for CertainTeed;
  • In January, Saint-Gobain announced that it had received a strong 90 out of 100 score in the Human Rights Campaign’s Foundation’s 2024-2025 Corporate Equality Index for its commitment to workforce protections and non-discrimination policies, inclusive benefits, and long-running Live Open Employee Resource Group;
  • Earlier in January, Saint-Gobain was one of only 17 companies worldwide to be recognized as a global Top Employer by the Top Employer Institute, a honor it has received for the tenth consecutive year.

With over 160 manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada, every current and future member of the company’s team plays a vital role in achieving its sustainability goals. A current list of job openings at all Saint-Gobain locations can be found on the company’s career website.

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
161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving Carbon Neutrality by 2050

For more information about Saint-Gobain, visit www.saint-gobain.com and follow us on Twitter @saintgobain

MEDIA CONTACTS
Peter Clark
(+1) 603 513 8513

Client background

HomeServe USA is a consumer services company that has been providing home repair solutions in North America for nearly 20 years, helping their customers save over one billion dollars on home repairs by providing home repair coverage and local repair services. They work with leading utilities to provide customers with optimal service plans while delivering a seamless experience.

The business challenge

HomeServe had been relying on disparate general ledger and accounting systems and lacked access to accurate and reliable data, resulting in time-consuming accounting processes, especially with bank reconciliation procedures.

They were also burdened by software that required a substantial amount of manual data entry, forcing them to physically run checks through a remote deposit capture machine (RDC) and manually enter cash receipts into the accounting system before reconciling the entries in a massive Excel file to match the checks against a batch deposit in the bank. With so much time spent inputting transactional accounting data, HomeServe didn’t have time to sufficiently analyze it.

HomeServe needed a solution that could:

  • Provide better visibility between their technology systems
  • Automate manual transactional accounting processes
  • Provide impactful data output visualization for executives

Strategy and solution

HomeServe worked with Baker Tilly to implement Sage Intacct and ServiceTitan home services software to bridge gaps between their accounting and finance technology stack and automate workflows. The benefits they experienced were immediate. With Baker Tilly’s support, HomeServe was able to connect their disparate systems, eliminate data silos and gain real-time access to information anytime, anywhere.

“I was impressed with the Baker Tilly implementation team. We got responsiveness, and we didn’t just feel like a number in the queue. We got real-time solutions to actually fix the problems and make them work better going forward.” – Joel Vander Eeems, Director of Accounting for HVAC and Energy Services, HomeServe USA

In addition, HomeServe also moved forward with implementing Baker Tilly’s Home & Commercial Services Module (HCSM) and Home & Commercial Services Intelligence (HCSI) products. Through HCSM, HomeServe has revolutionized its financial operations by automating payment deposits imported into Sage from ServiceTitan, streamlining their refund processes. Additionally, batched payments from ServiceTitan now automatically reconcile with their bank statements, significantly reducing reconciliation time and ensuring accurate financial records. By minimizing manual tasks and discrepancies between accounts, HomeServe has freed its employees to focus on revenue-driving roles.

“We leveraged the Home & Commercial Services Module and migrated to ServiceTitan, which enabled the mobile check capture. The bank reconciliation process time went down to one quarter for one individual and we were able to take that person that was just doing a cash receipts function and they became more outwardly focused on helping our technicians give the best financing solutions in the field and actually helping drive revenue rather than just button clicks.” – Joel Vander Eeems, Director of Accounting for HVAC and Energy Services, HomeServe USA

Lastly, with the in-depth analytics software provided through HCSI, HomeServe no longer needs to pay a third party for market research as they now have access to their service data on an interactive, visual dashboard alongside relevant demographic data. The dashboard’s interactive heat maps also drill down to specific zip codes, allowing them to analyze detailed metrics for each area.

HomeServe expects the resulting insights into membership and revenue trends to create new opportunities to optimize marketing efforts, analyze churn and identify potential memberships. They also plan to use the data for developing targeted advertising and marketing strategies, particularly in areas with low market penetration, to ensure customers are aware of all their services.

“Having Home & Commercial Services Intelligence will give us metrics around membership churn and opportunities for new memberships. That’s going to be a tool for analytics that not only is great for accountants, but great for the operational side of the business.” – Joel Vander Eeems, Director of Accounting for HVAC and Energy Services, HomeServe USA

To learn more about how Baker Tilly’s home and commercial services solutions can help your business, contact us today.

ATLANTA, May 6, 2025 /3BL/ – Georgia-Pacific’s Savannah River mill in Rincon, Georgia, now accepts polyethylene (PE)-coated paper cups in its mixed paper stock for recycling.

It’s the third Georgia-Pacific facility to begin accepting PE-coated cups, joining recycled paper mills in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and Muskogee, Oklahoma. These facilities enable the reuse of fibers from PE-coated cups and other mixed paper stock to produce Georgia-Pacific products such as tissues, towels and napkins.

Georgia-Pacific has partnered closely with the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI) and the NextGen Consortium, an industry collaboration managed by Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy, to promote and expand the acceptance of PE-coated cups for recycling.

“As single-use paper cups have grown in popularity in recent years so, too, has paper cup waste,” said John Mulcahy, vice president of stewardship for Georgia-Pacific, which manufactures the Dixie® brand of paper cups. “As a leading manufacturer of paper foodservice products, we continually look for ways to consume fewer resources as part of our longer-term strategy to identify solutions that benefit society. Accepting mixed paper bales containing PE-coated cups at our mills is a significant step in this direction.”

PE coatings, along with any remaining liquid and food left behind from use, have historically left single-use paper cups out of the recovery and recycling process. However, Georgia-Pacific has proven through its extensive re-pulping trials that these mills can effectively recapture valuable cup fiber from paper cups while screening out PE coatings and then reuse the fiber to make bath tissue, napkins and paper towels. 

Kate Daly, managing partner and head of the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, said Georgia-Pacific’s repulping capability will benefit the foodservice industry and further advance the industry’s environmental stewardship.

“We are excited see Georgia-Pacific continue to accelerate paper cup recycling through its acceptance of cups in mixed paper bales at the Savannah River mill,” Daly said. “There has been tremendous momentum in paper cup recycling over the last several years. This announcement marks another critical step forward for the industry, and we hope even more mills will follow this lead. Georgia-Pacific’s actions and commitment to expanding cup recycling across their portfolio reinforces the value of the materials in paper cups and builds critical markets for these recycled materials. As the managing partner of the NextGen Consortium, Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy continues to collaborate with leaders like Georgia-Pacific and stakeholders across the cup value chain, to keep these valuable materials in play.”

Georgia-Pacific is also collaborating with the NextGen Consortium to trial at its mills next-generation paper cups that have replaced the PE-coating with more bio-based materials that are recyclable and/or compostable.

And with its Rincon, Green Bay and Muskogee mills now engaged, Georgia-Pacific is also working with FPI to expand and accelerate single-use PE-coated paper cup acceptance in curbside recycling programs to increase the number of households that can recycle the paper cups. As the voice of the foodservice packaging industry, FPI is committed to reducing the impact of its products on the environment and to advancing recycling and composting. 

“We’re proud to work with Georgia-Pacific in its effort to recover and reuse poly-coated paper cups,” said Natha Dempsey, president of FPI, “and we look forward to partnering with new communities that previously didn’t have the capability to recycle them.”

View original content here.

TEANECK, N.J., May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Divorce can be one of life’s most isolating experiences, especially for Black and brown women who often lack access to culturally relevant resources and support. That’s why Livd, a multi-platform community, is stepping up to change the narrative. With the launch of its new website and online community, Livd has become a one-stop shop, offering a robust resource hub featuring vetted lawyers, mediators, mental health practitioners, fitness experts, books, helpful apps and more—all designed to empower women as they navigate separation and rebuild their lives with confidence.

At the heart of Livd is the Livd Stories Podcast, now in its second season. Through deeply personal and candid conversations, the podcast shares the real-life experiences of women navigating divorce, providing not just inspiration but also practical wisdom. Listeners can expect to gain insights into recognizing red flags in relationships, the importance of maintaining individuality within a marriage, and strategies for managing life-altering changes such as separation. Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month and Mother’s Day, the latest episode dives into the emotional toll of divorce, exploring grief, shame, and guilt—three emotions that often go unspoken but weigh heavily on women experiencing this transition. With expert guidance and real-life stories, the episode offers listeners tools to process these feelings and move toward healing. Livd Stories creates a safe and uplifting space where listeners can hear from others who have walked the same path and emerged stronger. The podcast is available on Apple Podcast, YouTube, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the national divorce rate declined from just over 10.0 in 2008 to about 7.0 in 2022. Despite this decline, divorce remains a challenging journey, often leaving individuals feeling isolated. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women of color, Livd was created to provide a safe and uplifting space where women can find solace and guidance.

“Divorce isn’t just a legal process; it’s an emotional upheaval that shakes the very core of one’s identity,” says Liv Lewis, founder of Livd. “I wanted to create a platform where Black and brown women could see themselves, share their stories, and realize they’re not alone on this journey.”

By combining the Livd resource hub with the power of storytelling through Livd Stories, Livd is creating a community and revolutionizing how Black and brown women experience and recover from divorce. Whether seeking legal guidance, mental health support, or the reassurance of shared experiences, Livd emerges as a guiding light for women seeking community, resources and support.

About Livd

Livd is a multi-platform community dedicated to providing Black and brown women navigating marital separation or divorce with trusted resources and support. Through its newly launched website and resource hub, Livd offers vetted professionals and tools to help women rebuild. The Livd Stories Podcast, now in its second season, shares powerful, personal narratives that inspire resilience and hope.

For more information, visit https://livd.co.

PRESS CONTACT
Ayodele MacFoy
9175800667
393933@email4pr.com

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/livd-expands-support-for-black-and-brown-women-facing-divorce-with-new-website-online-community-and-season-2-of-livd-stories-podcast-302446717.html

SOURCE Livd

At Gilead, we set and achieve bold ambitions in our fight against the world’s most devastating diseases. In this installment of The Centrifuge Sessions, See Phan, Vice President, Oncology Clinical Development, discusses Gilead’s approach to cancer research and how his team is working to deliver innovative therapies that offer new hope for patients.

Gilead Sciences, Inc. 
Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a research-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops and commercializes innovative medicines in areas of unmet medical need. The company strives to transform and simplify care for people with life-threatening illnesses around the world. Gilead has operations in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. 

Originally published by Gilead Sciences

Liza Bobrow didn’t think it was a big deal when her handwriting suddenly went haywire.

“It was just so bizarre,” she remembers. “My handwriting was getting teeny-tiny. I couldn’t even sign a check. I had just turned 50 so I thought ‘I’m getting old. I must have arthritis, or a pinched nerve or writer’s cramp.’ So, when the doctors told me it was Parkinson’s Disease, I was terrified.”

Medication helped at first.

Her handwriting returned to near normal. But Parkinson’s is a progressive disease—it usually worsens over time.

Two years after her diagnosis, the medication began triggering bouts of dystonia. She suffered painful muscle spasms in her feet that made walking difficult. Her right arm would suddenly shoot out and she would have to cradle it back in with her left arm.

“The pain was so bad that I didn’t want to take the medication,” she said. “But without the medicine I struggled with motor skills. It was a terrible time.”

Neurologists eventually suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS), a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted in specific spots in the brain to deliver electrical stimulation to help control tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. Bobrow and her husband spent six months researching DBS and consulting her doctors before deciding to proceed.

“I had never had surgery in my life, so the idea of brain surgery was pretty scary,” she said. “But I had an incredible experience, and the results are profound. My motor skill fluctuation is less and in general it’s just a feeling of relaxation and comfort in my body that I just didn’t have before DBS.”

Revolutionary leap in DBS therapy

DBS has been around for decades. A pacemaker-like device is implanted in the upper chest and thin wires lead to precise locations in the brain, where electrodes deliver electrical stimulation that can help control some of the symptoms from Parkinson’s.

Even though traditional DBS is proven as a safe and effective treatment for Parkinson’s, the level of stimulation is constant/pre-programmed. But it has limitations. The human body and brain are constantly changing and adjusting, as the various symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and medication levels can fluctuate in intensity throughout the day. So, the amount of electrical stimulation needed to optimally treat Parkinson’s may also change.

“I went through a lot of programming sessions to refine the device settings,” Bobrow said. “You can’t just set it and forget about it.”

For many patients, that’s about to change.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the Medtronic Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation (aDBS) system for use in the U.S. for patients with Parkinson’s disease. With aDBS, the electrodes that deliver electrical stimulation can also sense the patient’s brain signals and automatically adjust the level of stimulation to meet the patient’s needs.1 A few programming adjustment visits may be needed in the first few months after turning on Adaptive Therapy. Patients programmed with Adaptive Therapy may require more programming adjustment visits if they experience stimulation-related side effects or need to further personalize programming settings.

“The aDBS system listens to these brain waves and then algorithms adjust the stimulation in real time according to what the brain waves tell us about their symptoms. It’s a very exciting development,” said Dr. Simon Little, a neurologist at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).

Living the dream

Liza Bobrow received her DBS device before the FDA approval of aDBS; however, a software upgrade to aDBS does not require surgery. Her device already includes the brain sensing technology; if her doctors decide she is a candidate for aDBS, it would be a matter of activating this technology in her current device.

“Adaptability is obviously the next frontier. I can tell that my body has ebbs and flows and clearly real-time stimulation adjustment is something that interests me,” Liza said.

“There’s been a dream in our field for years that a device would be developed that could understand brain signals well enough to auto-deliver stimulation,” added Dr. Philip Starr, professor of neurological surgery at UCSF. “Now the dream is real. This field of neuromodulation is sort of like turning back the clock. It can take people with a chronic disease like Parkinson’s and give them a better quality of life. The rejuvenation that people experience is dramatic and as a clinician it’s a wonderful thing to participate in.”

Learn more about Medtronic.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/healthcare-professionals/specialties/neurology/therapies-procedures/deep-brain-stimulation/conditions/parkinsons-disease.html

DBS Therapy requires brain surgery. Risks may include: surgical complications, infection, failure to deliver therapy as needed and/or worsening of some symptoms.

Product usage represented may not be approved or cleared in all markets.

† The sensing feature of the Percept™ PC and Percept™ RC system is intended for use in patients receiving DBS where chronically recorded bioelectric data may provide useful, objective information regarding patient clinical status.

L001-03112025

References:

  1. Stanslaski S, Summers RLS, Tonder L, et al. Sensing data and methodology from the Adaptive DBS Algorithm for Personalized Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease (ADAPT-PD) clinical trial. NPJ Parkinsons Dis. 2024;10(1):174.

Financing to accelerate SolarBank’s growth as an owner of solar power projects in the U.S.

TORONTO, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – SolarBank Corporation (NASDAQ: SUUN) (Cboe CA: SUNN) (FSE: GY2) (“SolarBank” or the “Company”) announced today that CIM Group (“CIM“), a real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer, and the Company have entered into a Mandate Letter providing for up to US$100 million in project based financing for a portfolio of 97 MW of solar power projects located in the United States (the “Transaction“). The Transaction will be structured as a preferred equity investment into a newly formed entity (“New HoldCo“) that will be a joint venture between CIM and Abundant Solar Power Inc. (“ASP“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SolarBank. No shares or other securities of SolarBank will be issued in connection with the Transaction.

“The financing is another major milestone in SolarBank’s plans to grow its status as an independent power producer. Assuming full funding, SolarBank will retain a majority ownership interest in what is expected to be 21 solar energy projects with a total capacity of 97 MW,” said Dr. Richard Lu, President and CEO of SolarBank. “The Transaction has been structured such that SolarBank does not have to issue any new shares, as the financing is being completed at the project company level.”

“CIM Group has a long history of developing and investing in essential infrastructure projects that seek to benefit communities and the environment,” said Kyle Hatzes, Managing Director, Infrastructure & Impact Investments, CIM Group. “This transaction with SolarBank to grow its portfolio of solar projects underscores our ongoing commitment to the renewable energy sector and our focus on supporting innovative companies leading the energy transition across North America.”

CIM shall acquire non-convertible preferred equity interests in New HoldCo (the “CIM Equity“). Pursuant to a membership interest purchase agreement to be entered into by New HoldCo and ASP, New HoldCo will purchase the membership interests of identified project companies that wholly own 97 MW of power generating capacity (the “Portfolio” or the “Projects“) directly or indirectly from ASP, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions precedent. New HoldCo would advance 20% of the purchase price for each Project at mechanical completion of such Project, and 80% at substantial completion of such Project.

Each Project is anticipated to sell investment tax credits (“ITCs“) to one or more creditworthy third-party buyers pursuant to one or more tax credit transfer agreements in accordance with the requirements of Section 6418 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code” and each a “TCTA“).

CIM shall receive a coupon, payable semi-annually, equal to 3% (annually) of the aggregate investment and, subject to certain distributions detailed below, the remainder of the cashflow generated from the Portfolio shall be distributed to ASP. CIM shall retain 100% of the TCTA sales. In the event of liquidation, casualty or similar condemnation event the proceeds shall be distributed based on prior contributions of the parties. New HoldCo has the right to redeem the CIM Equity based on the greater of fair market value or a multiple of invested capital beginning 180 days after the fifth anniversary of the date the last Project is placed in service (the “Call Option“). If the Call Option is not exercised, CIM has the right to require a redemption of the CIM Equity at the lower of fair market value or a multiple of invested capital.

There are several risks associated with the Transaction and development of the Projects. The development of any project is subject to receipt of interconnection approval, receipt of a community solar contract, required permits, the continued availability of third-party financing arrangements for the Company and the risks associated with the construction of a solar power project. In addition, governments may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for solar power, which could result in future projects no longer being economic. The Transaction is subject to the execution of definitive documentation setting out all of the representations, warranties, covenants and conditions precedent associated with the Transaction. There is a risk that definitive documentation may not be executed or that the conditions precedent to the Transaction are not satisfied. In such case, no funding will be advanced under the terms of the Transaction. SolarBank will also need to secure the financing required to develop the Projects to mechanical completion and substantial completion, as prior to such milestone none of the funding from the Transaction will be available. Please refer to “Forward-Looking Statements” for additional discussion of the assumptions and risk factors associated with the Project and statements made in this press release.

About CIM Group

CIM is a community-focused real estate and infrastructure owner, operator, lender and developer. Since 1994, CIM has sought to create value in projects and positively impact the lives of people in communities across the Americas by delivering more than $60 billion of essential real estate and infrastructure projects. CIM’s diverse team of experts applies its broad knowledge and disciplined approach through hands-on management of real assets from due diligence to operations through disposition. CIM strives to make a meaningful difference in the world by executing key environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives and enhancing each community in which it invests. For more information, visit www.cimgroup.com.

About SolarBank Corporation

SolarBank Corporation is an independent renewable and clean energy project developer and owner focusing on distributed and community solar projects in Canada and the USA. The Company develops solar, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and EV Charging projects that sell electricity to utilities, commercial, industrial, municipal and residential off-takers. The Company maximizes returns via a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple leading North America markets including projects with utilities, host off-takers, community solar, and virtual net metering projects. The Company has a potential development pipeline of over one gigawatt and has developed renewable and clean energy projects with a combined capacity of over 100 megawatts built. To learn more about SolarBank, please visit www.solarbankcorp.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information ‎within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, “forward-looking ‎statements”) that relate to the Company’s current expectations and views of future events. ‎Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, ‎objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the ‎use of words or phrases such as “will likely result”, “are expected to”, “expects”, “will ‎continue”, “is anticipated”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “estimated”, “intends”, “plans”, “forecast”, ‎‎”projection”, “strategy”, “objective” and “outlook”) are not historical facts and may be ‎forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties ‎which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in ‎such forward-looking statements. In particular and without limitation, this news release ‎contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the Company’s expectations regarding its industry trends and overall market growth; the Company’s growth strategies the expected energy production from the solar power projects mentioned in this press release; the terms of the Transaction, including the size of the potential financing and its expected structure; the receipt of interconnection approval, permits and financing to be able to construct the Projects; the receipt of incentives for the Projects; and the size of the Company’s development pipeline. No assurance ‎can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking ‎statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These ‎statements speak only as of the date of this news release.‎

Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate, and are subject to risks and uncertainties. In making the forward looking statements included in this news release, the Company has made various material assumptions, including but not limited to: the execution of definitive documentation for the Transaction; the satisfaction of all conditions precedent for the Transaction; obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals; that regulatory requirements will be maintained; general business and economic conditions; the Company’s ability to successfully execute its plans and intentions; the availability of financing on reasonable terms; the Company’s ability to attract and retain skilled staff; market competition; the products and services offered by the Company’s competitors; that the Company’s current good relationships with its service providers and other third parties will be maintained; and government subsidies and funding for renewable energy will continue as currently contemplated. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect, and the Company cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Whether actual results, performance or achievements will conform to the Company’s expectations and predictions is subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including those listed under “Forward-‎Looking Statements” and “Risk ‎Factors” in the Company’s most recently completed Annual Information Form, and other public filings of the Company, which include: the failure to execute definitive documentation for the Transaction; the failure to satisfy all conditions precedent for the Transaction; the Company may be adversely affected by volatile solar power market and industry conditions; the execution of the Company’s growth strategy depends upon the continued availability of third-party financing arrangements; the Company’s future success depends partly on its ability to expand the pipeline of its energy business in several key markets; governments may revise, reduce or eliminate incentives and policy support schemes for solar and battery storage power; general global economic conditions may have an adverse impact on our operating performance and results of operations; the Company’s project development and construction activities may not be successful; developing and operating solar projects exposes the Company to various risks; the impact of tariffs; the Company faces a number of risks involving Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”) and project-level financing arrangements; any changes to the laws, regulations and policies that the Company is subject to may present technical, regulatory and economic barriers to the purchase and use of solar power; the markets in which the Company competes are highly competitive and evolving quickly; an anti-circumvention investigation could adversely affect the Company by potentially raising the prices of key supplies for the construction of solar power projects; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; a change in the Company’s effective tax rate can have a significant adverse impact on its business; seasonal variations in demand linked to construction cycles and weather conditions may influence the Company’s results of operations; the Company may be unable to generate sufficient cash flows or have access to external financing; the Company may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future; the Company is subject to risks from supply chain issues; risks related to inflation; unexpected warranty expenses that may not be adequately covered by the Company’s insurance policies; if the Company is unable to attract and retain key personnel, it may not be able to compete effectively in the renewable energy market; there are a limited number of purchasers of utility-scale quantities of electricity; compliance with environmental laws and regulations can be expensive; corporate responsibility may adversely impose additional costs; the future impact of any future global pandemic on the Company is unknown at this time; the Company has limited insurance coverage; the Company will be reliant on information technology systems and may be subject to damaging cyberattacks; the Company may become subject to litigation; there is no guarantee on how the Company will use its available funds; the Company will continue to sell securities for cash to fund operations, capital expansion, mergers and acquisitions that will dilute the current shareholders; and future dilution as a result of financings.

The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any ‎forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or ‎otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it ‎is not possible for the Company to predict all of them, or assess the impact of each such ‎factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to ‎differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-‎looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by ‎this cautionary statement.‎

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SOURCE SolarBank Corporation

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