Partner Mobile Labs from top research laboratories have now deployed in support of SMMI to provide granular data in communities across California

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In June of this year, California launched its landmark Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI), deploying Aclima’s fleet of specially equipped cars to collect block-by-block air quality data in communities heavily burdened by pollution. Covering thousands of miles and reaching millions of residents, data collected from the Aclima vehicles will help local communities better understand and address air quality disparities. 

As Aclima’s vehicles continue to gather data across the state, the next phase of the project has officially kicked off with the deployment of its Targeted Area Studies and Partner Mobile Labs. The Partner Mobile Labs are a collaboration between Aclima and leading research teams at Aerodyne, UC Berkeley, and  UC Riverside, whose detailed monitoring is a powerful companion to the program’s broad area monitoring. The targeted studies were built to provide detailed information in direct response to community-raised concerns about the air quality in their neighborhoods, such as impacts from airports, industries, landfills, and other potential sources. 

“The deployment of the Targeted Area Studies represents science and community working hand in hand to measure air pollutants and toxics that impact people’s health and quality of life,” said Davida Herzl, CEO and co-founder of Aclima. “Our joint efforts with world-class lab partners will ensure sophisticated mobile monitoring data is delivered to CARB and residents in many of California’s most pollution-burdened neighborhoods. What gets measured becomes actionable, and we are measuring more pollutants across more communities than ever before.” 

Over the coming months, each of the SMMI’s 64 communities will host one- or two-week Targeted Area Studies. For many areas, this is the first comprehensive air quality characterization ever conducted at such a detailed scale. 

The Partner Mobile Labs will be deployed in 37 communities to conduct detailed air quality studies. Each lab is equipped to detect certain pollutants and is suited for monitoring specific types of pollution sources. While the program’s broad area monitoring measures 10 pollutants, including things like fine particulate matter, black carbon, total volatile organic compounds (VOC), and more, the Targeted Area Studies will add dozens of pollutants and toxics to the monitoring data, including a closer look at speciated metals and speciated VOCs. 

In the remaining communities, Aclima vehicles will be used to conduct the Targeted Area Studies. The typical vehicle will be deployed to collect data at a higher frequency than broad area monitoring around a single source of air pollution to get more detailed information around the clock. 

Detailed schedules and objectives for these studies have been published in individual Community Air Monitoring Plans (CAMPs) with input from more than 40 community-based organizations statewide. Data from the Targeted Area Studies is expected to be released publicly alongside data from the broad area monitoring next summer. The data may help support efforts by CARB, local air districts, stakeholders, and community advocates to inform future regulatory programs, academic research, and applications for grants such as the Community Air Grants Program.

To learn more about the Targeted Area Studies and how monitoring vehicles were designated for each community, read the California Statewide Mobile Monitoring Initiative (SMMI)

Targeted Area Monitoring Assignment Approach. For more information on CAMPs for each community, visit aclima.earth/ca-smmi.

About Aclima

Aclima is pioneering a new way to scientifically measure and map air pollution, methane, and toxics at block-by-block resolutions across large geographies, so that people can take action and fix problems. Aclima’s integrated hardware–software platform turns billions of measurements from a fleet of roving sensor vehicles into actionable insights for communities, governments, and all stakeholders. As a Public Benefit Corporation headquartered in San Francisco, Aclima provides Environmental Intelligence to protect public health, reduce emissions, and ensure clean air for all. Learn more at aclima.earth.

About California Climate Investments

California Climate Investments (CCI) is a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest, formerly known as Cap-and-Trade, dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.

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SOURCE Aclima

DP World and Supply Chain Dive’s studioID unveil new insights on how artificial intelligence is reshaping logistics for efficiency, resilience, and sustainability — now available in a new podcast episode.

As supply chains around the world adapt to new realities of disruption, decarbonization, and digitalization, one technology is standing out as a catalyst for progress: artificial intelligence (AI).

DP World and Supply Chain Dive have released a new report, Smarter, Safer, Stronger: How AI Can Transform the Global Supply Chain, exploring how AI is transforming the movement of goods worldwide. The report – and a companion podcast episode – spotlight how forward-thinking logistics leaders are leveraging data-driven insights to unlock operational efficiency and build more sustainable trade networks.

Listen now: Listen to the podcast
Read the report: Download the full report

Smarter Supply Chains Through AI

The report finds that three out of four logistics leaders are already adopting AI to improve forecasting, reduce costs, and strengthen their resilience against disruption. From route optimization to predictive maintenance, AI is fast becoming essential for efficiency and competitiveness.

At DP World, these innovations are already taking shape through its proprietary logistics platform, CARGOES Flow, which uses predictive analytics and automation to enhance supply chain visibility and operational precision. This technology not only improves performance – it advances DP World’s broader sustainability commitments under the Our World, Our Future strategy, supporting the company’s path toward net-zero emissions by 2050.

Insights from the Report

The podcast episode unpacks the key findings from the Supply Chain Dive report, offering practical examples of how AI is reshaping trade and logistics today:

  • Smarter Operations: Leveraging AI to forecast demand, optimize equipment use, and streamline port operations.
  • Sustainability in Action: Using data intelligence to cut fuel consumption, reduce emissions, and minimize waste.
  • Resilient Networks: Harnessing predictive analytics to mitigate risk and ensure supply chain continuity.

These insights reveal how digital transformation is helping logistics providers not only adapt to disruption, but turn it into a competitive advantage.

The Road Ahead

As AI continues to evolve, its impact on logistics will only deepen — connecting every part of the supply chain, from ports and terminals to last-mile delivery. Through innovation and collaboration, DP World is helping to shape a future where global trade flows smarter, faster, and greener.

Explore more insights: Download the full report
Listen to the podcast: Watch here

  • Hyundai hosts Hydrogen STEM Program for elementary students at University of Southern California (USC) Joint Educational Project (JEP)
  • Since 2022, Hyundai has donated $200,000 towards USC JEP for its STEM education programs
  • Hyundai employees support USC Career Trek Program for college students to learn about careers in sustainability

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor America is advancing its partnership with University of Southern California (USC) to support its educational initiatives both on campus and in the community. For the second time, Hyundai hosted its Hydrogen STEM Program for elementary school students from South Los Angeles through USC Joint Educational Project (JEP) on USC’s campus. Since 2022, Hyundai has donated $200,000 towards USC JEP for its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs that address a critical need for hands-on science curriculum in Los Angeles schools.

“Hyundai’s partnership with USC is a reflection of our commitment to education, innovation, and community empowerment,” said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility, Hyundai Motor North America. “USC JEP is an impactful program, helping college students pursue STEM degrees as well as providing access to high quality STEM education programs for elementary students. We’re also proud to provide opportunities for career exploration by connecting undergraduate and graduate students with our employees in a meaningful way.”

USC JEP’s programs have an inquiry-based approach that bring scientific laboratory experiences to life. Particularly, the Young Scientists Program (YSP) supplements science instruction in Los Angeles schools by recruiting teaching assistants, all who are USC students, to serve in local elementary classrooms with the goal of strengthening science literacy and promoting interest in scientific careers. As part of the YSP, Hyundai offered its Hyundai Hydrogen STEM Program to South Los Angeles-area elementary students at an event on USC’s campus. Students built and raced hydrogen-powered model vehicles and raced them on a Hyundai-branded racetrack. This workshop teaches concepts in sustainability and clean energy as related to the automotive industry.

“We are deeply grateful to Hyundai for their generous support of our STEM education programs here at the USC JEP,” said Dr. Dieuwertje “DJ” Kast, director, STEM Education Programs, USC JEP. “This partnership empowers us to support undergraduate STEM majors in their career development by providing transformative outreach opportunities to lead in STEM education. At the same time, Hyundai’s investment in our programs inspires and equips local elementary classrooms with innovative science resources and mentoring, enhancing teachers’ abilities to bring hands-on science inquiry and excitement into their teaching.”

Earlier this year, Hyundai collaborated with USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability to host a Career Trek Program for over 20 undergraduate and graduate students. Employees shared their career journeys in sustainability and corporate social responsibility, followed by a walkaround of the IONIQ 9, Hyundai’s first-ever, three-row, electric SUV.

The partnership is part of Hyundai’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, which seeks to uplift communities by providing innovative and rewarding educational opportunities for students.

Hyundai Hope
Hyundai Hope is the corporate social responsibility initiative from Hyundai Motor North America, committed to the principle of Progress for Humanity and the goal of improving the well-being of society. Hyundai Hope dedicates time, talent, and resources to nonprofit organizations that support health, safety, education, and sustainability, fostering positive growth in communities. For more information, visit www.HyundaiHope.com.

Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America offers U.S. consumers a technology-rich lineup of cars, SUVs, and electrified vehicles, while supporting Hyundai Motor Company’s Progress for Humanity vision. Hyundai has significant operations in the U.S., including its North American headquarters in California, the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama assembly plant, the all-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, and several cutting-edge R&D facilities. These operations, combined with those of Hyundai’s 850 independent dealers, contribute $20.1 billion annually and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a published economic impact report. For more information, visit www.hyundainews.com.

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

 

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SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

FedEx and Futurpreneur have teamed up to help Canada’s next wave of business founders, delivering free, practical guidance through an insightful webinar series called Expert Exchange sponsored by FedEx. This program aims to support young entrepreneurs, including those from equity-deserving communities, with hands-on tips that help them hit their small-business goals and build a more inclusive entrepreneurial landscape.

What makes Expert Exchange different

This isn’t your typical training program. Expert-led sessions cover real-world topics for early-stage startups—think government contracting opportunities, networking and other essentials that help young entrepreneurs move forward. The lineup intentionally blends everyday startup challenges with emerging technologies and new opportunities shaping today’s small business landscape. Plus, workshops are delivered in English and French, increasing accessibility to more communities.

Early momentum

Expert Exchange was launched in March 2025, and in just six months, the series has hosted almost 20 workshops and attracted approximately 1,000 participants. That response shows strong interest and engagement from a diverse mix of aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs. It also highlights how industry-driven learning can empower Canada’s next generation of business owners with practical knowledge and resources, while strengthening inclusive prosperity.

Why it matters

Entrepreneurship fuels innovation, job creation and economic resilience. By offering free, practical education through Expert Exchange, FedEx and Futurpreneur help lower barriers for aspiring business owners and push toward a more inclusive economy—one where more voices from different communities contribute to Canada’s entrepreneurial future.

What’s next

FedEx and Futurpreneur are growing Expert Exchange, making expert guidance even more accessible and strengthening the supportive network for diverse young founders. They’ll keep tailoring the workshops to the needs of emerging entrepreneurs, helping turn ideas into viable, sustainable businesses that benefit local and national economies.

As the program expands, the organizations look forward to helping more founders on their journey to success and fostering a vibrant, inclusive business community across the country.

Want to learn more?

If you’re an aspiring founder seeking guidance, or just curious about how Canadian entrepreneurship is evolving, Expert Exchange is a great source of knowledge, community and opportunity. It’s a strong example of corporate-community collaboration delivering real, measurable outcomes for Canada’s next generation of entrepreneurs.

Click here to stay connected and learn about upcoming Futurpreneur and Expert Exchange workshops.

Click here to learn about FedEx Cares, our global community engagement program.

As the Official Medical Innovation Sponsor of the Jets, Johnson & Johnson will foster a healthier community through the team’s My Cause My Cleats and Healthcare Hero initiatives

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The New York Jets have agreed to a multi-year sponsorship with Johnson & Johnson to promote better health to Jets fans, making them the team’s Official Medical Innovation Sponsor. Johnson & Johnson will become the presenting sponsor of My Cause My Cleats and will debut its monthly Healthcare Hero initiative during the 2025 season.

“The Jets are honored to team up with Johnson & Johnson to recognize healthcare workers in our community that put in countless hours to protect all of us,” said Jeff Fernandez, Jets Senior Vice President of Business Development + Ventures. “Through this meaningful sponsorship, we will be able to promote the importance of early screenings for critical illnesses, while showcasing the value in healthier lifestyle habits and then extending the awareness of health issues to Jets players’ personal support of the My Cause My Cleats program.”

Through this sponsorship, the Jets and Johnson & Johnson will be able to communicate the importance of looking after your health and highlight the vital role of healthcare workers through new and engaging mediums. As the presenting sponsor of the Jets “My Cause My Cleats” initiative, Johnson & Johnson will amplify and highlight players’ chosen causes and custom cleats through various media channels, leading up to the game against the Falcons on Nov. 30.

The sponsorship kicked off by launching a “Stories of Strength” PSA campaign, where Jets linebacker Quincy Williams informed fans about the importance of early and frequent cancer screenings. The PSAs will be distributed across both Jets and Johnson & Johnson’s digital media platforms. To watch the Quincy Williams’ PSA about cancer screenings, please click here.

In addition, the Jets will also recognize a local healthcare worker each month during the NFL season as a “Healthcare Hero”. This new initiative will showcase the lifesaving work of healthcare workers by honoring them as community heroes with an in-game recognition at MetLife Stadium. The chosen healthcare worker will be featured throughout articles and digital content about their dedication to the community and their careers on NewYorkJets.com and the team’s various social media channels.

The Jets will continue to build awareness about healthcare with Johnson & Johnson exclusive signage throughout MetLife Stadium during Jets home games. They will also be featured on “Protect Your Health” messaging during defensive redzone stands on the MetLife Stadium videoboards.

Find out more about these and other programs sponsored by Johnson & Johnson at newyorkjets.com.

About New York Jets
The New York Jets were founded in 1959 as the New York Titans, an original member of the American Football League (AFL). The Jets won Super Bowl III, defeating the NFL’s Baltimore Colts in 1969. In 1970, the franchise joined the National Football League in the historic AFL–NFL merger that set the foundation for today’s league. As part of a commitment to its fan base through innovation and experiences, the team has created initiatives such as, its trailblazing Jets Rewards program, a state-of-the-art mobile app, and 1JD Entertainment, a comprehensive content platform that gives fans greater access to the team across all digital and social platforms. The organization takes great pride in a long-standing, year-round commitment to their community. These programs are funded by the New York Jets Foundation and look to positively influence the lives of young men and women in the tri-state area, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The organization supports the efforts of the Lupus Research Alliance, youth football and numerous established charitable organizations and causes sponsored by the NFL. The New York Jets play in MetLife Stadium, which opened in 2010, and are headquartered at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. For more information about the New York Jets visit newyorkjets.com.

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SOURCE New York Jets

BOTHELL, Wash., Oct. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As pollinator populations continue to decline, Rent Mason Bees is leading a nationwide effort to educate and empower people to properly care for mason bees and teach the public how to support their own backyard bee habitats. As part of this mission, the company will clean more than three million mason bee cocoons for the 2026 spring season, making it the largest solitary-bee rental and conservation program in the United States.


 

Nationwide Effort to Care for Mason Bees: Rent Mason Bees Cleans 3 Million Cocoons for Spring Gardens

Why Clean?

Hidden predators like pollen mites, Houdini flies, and chalkbrood linger inside nests, emerging in spring and harming future generations of bees. Proper cleaning removes these threats, ensuring every cocoon is healthy, parasite-free, and ready to pollinate when released in spring. Rent Mason Bees meticulously cleans, inspects, and stores every cocoon over winter to ensure that healthy, predator-free bees are shipped to home gardeners, farms, and educational programs across the country. Click to Watch the Cleaning Process

“Predators are on the rise, and if you have a mason bee hotel, it’s essential to take care of your bees,” said Thyra McKelvie, of Rent Mason Bees. “They’re the sweetest bees—non-aggressive, incredible pollinators, and completely safe around kids and pets. With proper care and seasonal maintenance, we can help them thrive and protect the next generation of bees.”

3 Steps to Create a Healthy Habitat

  1. Place clean nesting material out in spring. Bees emerge when temperatures reach about 55°F.
  2. Do not leave nesting material out year-round. Remove it at the end of spring—mason bees only live 6–8 weeks.
  3. Clean in the fall. This crucial step removes predators and protects the next generation of bees.

Bees That Work for You and the Planet

Unlike social honeybees, solitary mason bees live independently. Each female lays her own eggs, finds her own nesting site, and gathers food for each egg. With no queen, they are non-aggressive and do not sting. Mason bees are remarkably effective, pollinating up to 95% of the flowers they visit compared to 5% for honeybees. Their unique “belly-flopping” technique covers their entire body in loose pollen, allowing them to sprinkle it onto blooms and dramatically increase fruit and flower yield.

How the Rental Program Works

Bee hosts release bees into their yards and rent the nesting materials. Depending on their lifestyle, hosts can choose to RENT, returning their nesting blocks for professional cleaning, or OWN, taking care of cleaning and winter storage themselves.
“Our rental program makes it easy for anyone to help pollinators,” added McKelvie. “Whether you rent or own, you can enjoy hosting bees that pollinate your yard while making a real difference for the environment. Together, we’re building a nationwide community of bee hosts protecting solitary bees.”

Rent Mason Bees is a Bothell-based organization dedicated to pollinator conservation through education, accessibility, and hands-on action.

Media Kit- Access high-resolution images.  Click to view

Learn more at www.rentmasonbees.com and follow @rentmasonbees on social media.

Instagram & Facebook: @rentmasonbees

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SOURCE Rent Mason Bees

Originally published by GoDaddy

TEMPE, Ariz., October 22, 2025 /3BL/ — Media veterans and authors Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill know what it’s like to turn a career setback into a launchpad. Now, as they hit the road to promote their new book, All The Cool Girls Get Fired, they are teaming up with GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY) to provide others with the advice, inspiration and tools to navigate their own daunting career transitions.

Drawing from decades of experience in high-stakes leadership at the helm of InStyle and WSJ Magazine, respectively, Brown and O’Neill know the challenges — and opportunities — that come with losing a job. Through deeply personal anecdotes and a wealth of actionable advice, the book guides readers to pivot with pride and purpose.

With chapters featuring women like Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric and Jamie Lee Curtis, All the Cool Girls Get Fired celebrates how unexpected turns can lead somewhere extraordinary. GoDaddy Airo turns that inspiration into action, offering AI-powered tools to establish a domain, design a website and branding, support online marketing and more in a matter of minutes.

“When Laura was setting up LB Media, and again, when we dreamt up All the Cool Girls Get Fired, we set up our emails on GoDaddy,” say Brown and O’Neill. “For a nascent business, it was invaluable insurance. And now, we’ve been able to build out our website and digital presence with the brand’s AI technology, GoDaddy Airo. It has allowed women from all around the world to get in touch with us, forming the community that is the spine of the book.”

“At GoDaddy, we believe in turning challenge into opportunity — a philosophy we share with Laura and Kristina and the many powerful voices who offer their own stories in All The Cool Girls Get Fired,” says Amy Jennette, GoDaddy Small Business Trends Expert. “With GoDaddy Airo’s easy-to-use tools for establishing a digital presence, you can look like you know what you’re doing even when you don’t.”

As part of the partnership, GoDaddy is offering new U.S. customers a domain for just $4.99 to get started. Visit allthecoolgirls.godaddy to learn more, and find real-time updates from the book tour on Instagram at @allthecoolgirlsgetfired.

All The Cool Girls Get Fired is available for purchase everywhere books are sold. 

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.

About Laura Brown

Laura Brown is the founder of LB Media, and the chair of (RED)’s Creative Council. Previously, she was editor-in-chief of InStyle, executive editor of Harper’s Bazaar, and senior editor at W.

About Kristina O’Neill

Kristina O’Neill is head of Sotheby’s Media and editor in chief of Sotheby’s Magazine. Previously, she served as editor in chief of WSJ. Magazine, executive editor at Harper’s Bazaar, and worked at New York magazine and Time Out New York.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

NORTHAMPTON, Mass., Oct 22, 2025 /3BL/ – Over the past year, 3BL, the leading platform for sustainability and impact communications, has rolled out a series of powerful product upgrades and architectural advancements designed to transform how organizations share, measure, and optimize their ESG and impact stories.

From deep audience insights to AI visibility tracking, these updates reflect 3BL’s continued commitment to innovation, ensuring brands have the tools and data needed for their communications.

Transformative New Capabilities for Communicators 

  • Disclosure Score: Aggregates data from major ESG ratings agencies to provide a snapshot of how your company is perceived, helping benchmark performance and guide strategy.
     
  • Custom Distribution: Enables precise control over how and where content is shared, optimizing reach and engagement across targeted audiences.
     
  • Content Mailer: Automatically alerts your distribution lists when new content goes live, keeping key audiences informed and engaged.
     
  • LLM Interactions: Tracks how often your content appears in large language model (LLM) experiences, offering future-ready insights for AI Optimization (AIO).
     
  • AVE/Yield Metrics: Quantifies ROI by translating content performance into measurable media value across 3BL’s premium network.
     
  • Enriched Audience Demographics: Provides in-depth engagement data by industry, role, department, and geography to strengthen content strategy.

Platform and Architecture Upgrades

  • Analytics Platform Re-launch: Upgraded with faster load times, improved visualizations, and flexible export options (PNG, PDF, CSV).
     
  • Modernized Data Architecture: Migrated to a unified data warehouse for stronger governance and security.
     
  • Proactive Data Quality: Automated testing now detects data anomalies in near real-time, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Empowering the Next Era of Sustainability Storytelling

“Our investment in evolving 3BL’s products and services reflects our mission to help organizations amplify the voices driving impact, inspire meaningful action, and build trust with their stakeholders through purpose-driven storytelling,” notes Brittany Partridge, Senior Product Manager at 3BL.

Interested in learning more about 3BL’s capabilities? Visit here

About 3BL 
3BL is the leading sustainability and social impact communications partner, connecting organizations’ stories of purpose and progress with the audiences who matter most.

3BL partners with over 1,500 companies – from global corporations and mid-sized enterprises to NGOs and nonprofits – to elevate their reputations as players in the world of responsible business. We do this through unrivaled news and content distribution, bespoke storytelling support, and our digital media division, TriplePundit.

Concerned Citizens of Cook County (4C) and Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL) received a two-year Drawdown Georgia Climate Solutions & Equity Grant in 2025-26 to provide education about the energy landscape in South Georgia, to implement clean energy and energy-efficient alternatives, and to provide resources and technical assistance to individuals and local congregations to help reduce energy burdens.

Members of a Georgia-focued funding collaborative visited with them in late September to see the grant in action at three local congregations, central to the target communities: St. James AME Church, Bethel Baptist Church and Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church.

Persistent Inequities Prevail in Adel, Georgia

“Money doesn’t flow south of Macon,” was a quote often heard by the funders during their visit to Adel. South Georgia communities are really suffering. FEMA funds have still not reached many who were impacted by Hurricane Helene a year ago, and Adel, in particular, seems to have been left behind. “After Hurricane Helene, people started realizing and verbalizing ‘nobody’s coming.'” said Dr. Treva Gear, founder of 4C. “The Drawdown Georgia grant we received was almost too good to be true.”

Polluting industries – including aluminum anodizing, propane tank refurbishing, bitcoin mining, and biomass pellet processing – have operated or continue to operate within steps of homes and churches in Adel’s disinvested neighborhoods. It’s a modern day “tale of two cities.” One side of Adel suffers from extreme environmental injustices and public health effects, while the rest of the city’s population seems unaware. The potential for growth and jobs have long incentivized more dirty industries for economic gains, so long as the undesirable effects are only felt on the “other side of the railroad tracks.”

Eight months of power bill records were recently “lost” when a cryptocurrency company fled town with over a million dollars in debt. When the City of Adel’s power bills were finally distributed, rates were inconsistent and the brunt of big industry’s energy impact was factored more heavily into the bills of the town’s most poverty-stricken residents. 

4C and GIPL were originally awarded their grant to work through the faith community in disinvested parts of Adel and Cook County to use funds secured from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), to ground their work in three churches that were identified as trusted community based partners. All three churches have the ability to function as community centers for education now, and have potential to become resilience centers in the future.

Planning a Brighter Future Together

The GIPL team worked with leaders in three historically marginalized congregations in energy-burdened communities. Congregation leaders met with the GIPL team multiple times to establish trust and to fully understand the options and benefits. They really had to be convinced that there wasn’t a “catch.” They agreed to free energy audits, and they carefully studied the results with GIPL and their local contractors, identifying the upgrades that would deliver the most energy savings and thermal comfort for each congregation’s unique needs.

Because of GIPL’s existing programs and partnerships, there was no charge to the congregations for their energy audits and scheduled upgrades. GIPL was able to leverage other grants to complement the Drawdown Georgia grant. Based on data in the U.S. Department of Energy’s LEAD Tool, the energy burden (average percentage of income residents spend on energy costs) in the targeted communities of Adel exceeds 18%. GIPL has been able to leverage funding, discounts and rebates to allow them to create work plans that will allow each congregation to complete 70% of the recommended upgrades identified in their energy audits, and the congregations can expect to see automatic savings within 1-2 months of project completion.

Each church is “saving” a minimum investment of $10,000 that they couldn’t have afforded for their energy efficiency projects, since GIPL has managed to cover the costs. Otherwise, their only option would have been diverting money from crucial local missions if they had tried to make upgrades themselves.

Now, with no monetary investment, they are expected to see savings of 10-15% on energy bills once the repairs are complete. For the congregations, that translates directly into local missions; more food they can serve to the hungry, more money they can put into youth programs, and more help they can provide to neighbors who live in the communities surrounding them.

For the pastors and deacons, these upgrades will provide a welcome relief on Sunday mornings and prior to other times of worship and fellowship. Currently, someone has to go to each church at least two hours in advance to turn on the tired and inefficient window air conditioning units in the cooling season or electric space heaters in the heating season; usually just enough to make the sanctuaries and fellowship halls “relatively comfortable and bearable.”

Repairing The Way to a Brighter Future

St. James AME Church, where the funders’ tour started, will receive new thermostats, blown in insulation in the roof cavity and surrounding other main areas for worship and gathering, and electrical wiring upgrades, energy efficient lighting, HVAC mini splits, and occupancy sensors for restrooms. That particular church is 139 years old.

Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church has completed their projects since the funders visited. They retrofitted the lighting in their sanctuary, and they received blown in insulation in the roof above the sanctuary and other key areas. They also installed modern thermostats.

Bethel Baptist Church will receive modern thermostats, a new electrical panel and updated wiring, occupancy sensors for lights, lighting upgrades and blown in insulation.

GIPL hopes to have all of the upgrades completed by the end of the year, and the congregations are hopeful that they will be able to have their traditional community Thanksgiving and Christmas meals in comfort.

Acheiving Resilience

Looking to the future, GIPL says they consider these to be long-term partnerships and pilots for scaling similar projects in other parts of South Georgia. They are already engaging each congregation in talks to discuss what it would take to make each church a resiliency center, with clean, off-grid power options like solar and battery storage. They seek to provide places where neighbors can go when they experience extreme weather events and power outages like Hurricane Helene dealt to the area just over a year ago.

Until then, Dr. Gear and the members of 4C plan to make plenty more “good trouble” and advocate for their friends and neighbors.

This grant was funded by a cohort of funders that included the Atticus Fund, Ghanta Family Foundation, The Ray C. Anderson Foundation, Reilly Family Fund, Tull Charitable Foundation, and The Wilbur & Hilda Glenn Family Foundation.

Click here to watch “Abandoned: Greed, Neglect and Environmental Injustice in Adel” a documentary created by Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund.

About Concerned Citizens of Cook County

Concerned Citizens of Cook County (4C) is a non-profit organization that seeks to be a positive force for change in Cook County by promoting equity and advocating for social and environmental justice. In fulfilling this purpose, they provide support and information designed to lift people up and give access to people who feel excluded from their communities. 4C is particularly concerned about the negative health and environmental impacts of an array of industrial facilities in communities of color and poverty in Adel, GA and Cecil, GA.

Originally published on DICK’S Sporting Goods Newsroom

PITTSBURGH, October 22, 2025 /3BL/ — DICK’S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS) announced recently that it expects to hire approximately 14,000 seasonal teammates for the upcoming 2025 holiday season. The company’s eighth-annual “National Signing Day” will take place on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, marking the official start of this year’s recruiting push for seasonal positions. Over 9,100 teammates will be hired to support DICK’S Sporting Goods, DICK’S House of Sport, and Public Lands locations, while over 500 additional teammates will be hired for Going, Going, Gone! locations nationwide.

Outside of the National Signing Day efforts, Foot Locker, now a DICK’S Sporting Goods company, will add approximately 4,750 team members across Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, WSS and Champs store locations in North America this holiday season. In addition to seasonal hiring, DICK’S has continued expanding its House of Sport footprint, with plans to open 13 House of Sport stores before the holidays.

“The holidays are one of the most exciting times for our stores, and our seasonal teammates bring incredible energy to serving our athletes and customers,” said Julie Lodge-Jarrett, EVP, Chief People, Purpose and Transformation Officer at DICK’S Sporting Goods. “Their passion and enthusiasm make all the difference during the busiest shopping days of the year, and we’re thrilled to welcome thousands of new teammates to help athletes find the perfect gifts this season.”

Seasonal teammates joining DICK’S this holiday season will be part of a company consistently recognized for its workplace culture, including being named on the Fortune Best Workplaces in Retail List and receiving a Great Place to Work certification for five years in a row.

As in previous years, all DICK’S and US Foot Locker stores and distribution centers will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, to allow teammates to spend the holiday with loved ones. Athletes will be able to shop online throughout Thanksgiving Day, with stores reopening on Black Friday.

The company is seeking applicants who are passionate about sports and customer service, eager to inspire and support athletes and customers, and enthusiastic about connecting them with the best sports apparel, footwear and equipment. Seasonal teammates receive competitive pay and teammate discounts.

For DICK’S seasonal hiring, interested candidates can apply now by visiting dicks.com/jobs and searching for their nearest location to complete a seasonal job application, then visit their local DICK’S location on National Signing Day, Wednesday, October 22, 2025 to interview and meet the team. Hiring will continue beyond that date until all seasonal positions are filled.

For Foot Locker seasonal hiring, interested candidates can apply online at careers.footlocker.com.

About DICK’S Sporting Goods  

DICK’S Sporting Goods creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams.

Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, DICK’S is a leading omni-channel retailer and an iconic brand in sport and culture. Its banners include DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands and Going Going Gone! in addition to the experiential retail concepts DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center. As owner and operator of Foot Locker, including Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos, DICK’S serves the global sneaker community across 20 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, plus a licensed store presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. DICK’S also owns and operates GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.

Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.

Media Contacts
DICK’S Sporting Goods – press@dcsg.com
Foot Locker- mediarelations@footlocker.com

Category: Company

SOURCE DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.

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