Tag: 3BL

NEWARK, Del., February 12, 2024 /3BL/ – February 7th was Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Action Day and Delmarva Power employees were on Capitol Hill to meet with representatives and advocates for policies that protect funding for LIHEAP and support vulnerable households in Delaware and Maryland.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps limited-income households with their home energy bills. Customers should not wait for winter heating bills to arrive before applying for help – LIHEAP is a first come, first serve program and is only available until funding runs out. Grants are provided in varying amounts (up to $2,506 in Delaware; up to $2,213 in Maryland), with no payback required. Requirements include a household’s income, type of fuel and type of dwelling. Homeowners, renters, roomers, and subsidized housing tenants may also be eligible. Customers do not have to be behind on their bills to receive a grant.

Delaware customers can review eligibility requirements and apply for LIHEAP energy assistance by visiting the Department of Health and Services website or by calling 302-654-9295 in New Castle County, 302-674-1782 in Kent County or 302-856-6310 in Sussex County. Maryland customers can review eligibility requirements and apply for LIHEAP (also referred to as the Maryland Energy Assistance Program, or MEAP) through the Department of Human Services website or by calling the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs at 800-332-6347.

“LIHEAP provides critical support to individuals and families in need,” said Doug Mokoid, Delmarva Power Region President. “Our teams are advocating for continued funding of this vital program, and we urge any of our customers who may qualify to reach out and take advantage of the support available as soon as possible. We can do so much more when customer reach out to us early, whether through programs like LIHEAP or other payment assistance we offer directly.”

Delmarva Power works hard to keep every customer connected by offering payment arrangements and helping customers secure grants and other support from several available energy assistance programs. In 2023, Delmarva Power helped more than 22,000 customers secure more than $35 million in energy assistance, including more than $15.5 million in LIHEAP funding that helps pay customer energy bills and money that customers do not need to pay back.

If customers do not meet LIHEAP requirements and are having difficulty paying their energy bills, Delmarva Power Customer Care is also available to help by offering:

Flexible payment arrangements that offer tailored payment plansExtending payment periods for balancesConnecting customers with energy assistance fundsBudget Billing, which averages payments over a 12-month period and helps avoid seasonal spikes and provides a consistent monthly bill.

Customers can contact Delmarva Power Customer Care at 800-375-7117 or visit delmarva.com/EnergyAssistance for more information.

Additional assistance for customers in Delaware is available through Delaware 211 (DE 211). By dialing 2-1-1, customers can be referred to local agencies and services that can assist with utilities and other necessities. More information is available at delaware211.org.

Delmarva Power also works with the Salvation Army and other local organizations to offer energy assistance to Delaware and Maryland low-income customers. The fund allows for customers to pay exactly $1 over their monthly Delmarva Power bill, which goes to the associated non-profit organization in their community. Delmarva Power matches contributions with $1 for every $3 that is collected, up to $70,000.

Other energy assistance for Maryland residents includes:

The Electric Universal Service Program (EUSP) assists eligible low-income customers with their electric bills, even if they are currently without service. The Utility Service Protection Program (USPP) protects low-income families from utility cut-offs and allows MEAP eligible households to enter into monthly payment programs. The Arrearage Retirement Assistance (ARA) program helps customers with large, past due electric bills. If eligible, customers may receive forgiveness of up to $2,000 toward their past due bill. Information regarding these programs can be found on the Maryland Department of Human Services Office of Home Energy Programs website or by calling 800-332-6347.

LIHEAP Action Day is hosted by the National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) and connects advocates from across the country with policymakers on Capitol Hill to communicate the importance of the LIHEAP program. To learn more about NEAUC visit their website here.

To learn more about Delmarva Power, visit The Source, Delmarva Power’s online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting delmarva.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/DelmarvaPower and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/DelmarvaConnect. Delmarva Power’s mobile app is available at delmarva.com/MobileApp.

Delmarva Power is a unit of Exelon (Nasdaq: EXC), a Fortune 250 company and the nation’s largest utility company, serving more than 10 million customers. Delmarva Power provides safe and reliable energy service to approximately 561,500 electric customers in Delaware and Maryland and approximately 140,000 natural gas customers in northern Delaware.

By Kim Borges

“You’re better than that.”

The sentence rang louder than any classroom bell John Martin heard his tenth-grade year.

“I don’t remember his name, I don’t remember his face, but I remember those four words,” said Martin of the coach who called him out 40-plus years ago for not living up to his potential.

Martin’s downhill descent followed his change from a Miami school that felt like home to a Virginia one feeling anything but. He had thrived academically and socially at the former; was bored and running with the wrong crowd at the latter.

“When you move every two years, your goal is to make new friends,” said Martin, describing his family’s mobile, military lifestyle. “There are typically three ways to make friends: being a class clown, bully or athlete. I was a really good class clown.”

Martin regained his footing thanks to another coach and three friends who saw his promise and applied positive peer pressure to encourage his growth and leadership.

Having that sense of connection and purpose did more than just stick with Martin many years later; it inspired him and his wife, Tammy, to establish the Young Black Leaders Alliance (YBLA) to do the same for other youth across Charlotte, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.

YBLA’s Ambassadors personify a commitment to student leadership, service and education.

Lauri Mumford, Regions Mortgage loan officer

The nonprofit develops young Black men and women into leaders positively impacting their peers, families and communities.

Regions Bank associates in Charlotte recently worked with YBLA participants to compile and distribute teacher appreciation bags across 30-plus schools. Bank team members are also participating in networking events and teaching financial education classes to YBLA youth. Lauri Mumford is one of them.

“YBLA’s Ambassadors personify a commitment to student leadership, service and education,” said Mumford, a Mortgage loan officer. “Spend any time with these talented young people and you’ll find you’re hooked and want to help them succeed.”

Jalen Roddey’s introduction to YBLA 12 years ago began by being called to the principal’s office, but not because he faced the challenges Martin had.

“The fact that I knew the other kids and they were all good kids, I knew it was a good thing,” said Roddey.

It ended up being beyond good. Roddey was encouraged to apply to the Ambassador Program and was accepted.

“I got this sheet describing YBLA and thought, ‘This sounds so cool,’” said Roddey. “YBLA meant being around a group of Black men who wanted to achieve great things and so did I. It was like family from that first moment.”

The Martins are intentional in creating that family atmosphere by welcoming young men like Roddey into their home for YBLA meetings. He considers Martin a second father figure.

“We’ve been working with Jalen since the eleventh grade,” Martin said. “He’s gone through a transition of finding himself; he was searching for who he was.”

That search included exploring engineering before earning a degree in mass communications from North Carolina State A&T University. After graduation, he launched a video production business.

But it was a 2019YBLA mission trip to South Africa to build a home where Roddey’s creativity truly took root.

I’ve always loved to write, and people tell me, ‘You’re good with words.

Jalen Roddey

“I’ve always loved to write, and people tell me, ‘You’re good with words,’” he said. “I’d been searching for something to write about, and inspiration struck with four mango trees I saw.”

Roddey’s idea? A children’s fable about compassion, gratitude and serving others. He knew the concept had potential, but self-doubt crept in as he looked to publish it.

“I thought, ‘Who am I to be a children’s book author?’’’ explained Roddey. “But then I realized I was being a follower rather than a leader. It took me a while to understand what Mr. Martin had been trying to show us because it’s so deep. Every time I struggled, I failed, I was on a detour, I was not being a leader. Those are the pitfalls you fall into when you’re not focused.”

With a laser-like focus, Roddey dove into writing a children’s book series about a young mystery-solving detective, penning six books in one year. His seventh book is publishing this month.

“When Jalen first started with us, he had no idea of being an author,” said Martin. “Watching him grow through that has been a joy.”

A joy Martin has not only celebrated but supported. During a holiday toy drive last December, Martin purchased and donated 50 copiesof “The Four Mango Trees” to three schools. Roddey and other YBLA Ambassadors read the book to students. It was a full circle moment, for both the author and his mentor.

“At 16, there’s a picture of me reading someone else’s book to the kids,” Roddey said. “At 28, I’m reading my own book. It’s so powerful.”

Those moments motivate Martin to reach and serve more youth as he reflects on the coach and friends who inspired him to dream bigger and do better.

“For me, it was just about a young man who was going in the wrong direction,” he said. “I tell our staff we’re in a very special position where we get to shape the future. Not many people have that opportunity, but we do. That’s the power of what we can create.”

Originally posted on Operation Warm

During their Subaru Loves to Help® month, from January 15 through the end of February, our collaboration with Subaru will help serve over 150,000 children living in urgent need. Subaru and their retailers are not just supporters; they are active participants in our mission. Throughout Subaru Loves to Help month they will visit local homeless shelters and support agencies to provide kids with brand-new coats, shoes, and socks.

Continue reading here

by Caitlin Odom, Anna Zetkulic, Kriti Singh, Liza Martin

RMI’s Electrification 101 series explores the challenges and opportunities that a rapidly electrifying transportation sector presents for the power grid, offering solutions to support proactive grid planning for oncoming EV charging needs. Find the other articles in the series below: 

Electrification 101: Getting the Grid Ready for an EV Revolution Electrification 101: How RMI’s New Tool Can Help Utilities Proactively Plan for EVs

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption faces the classic chicken or egg dilemma – which comes first, the vehicles or the charging infrastructure? Recent trends show that EV adoption amongst higher income customers does not require robust public charging infrastructure, especially in densely populated areas of the U.S. However, lower income and rural buyers considering the switch to electric cite charging access as one of their primary barriers. Rivaling even vehicle cost, a lack of access to charging has contributed to a slower pace of EV adoption among these communities. To ensure that cities and states stay on pace to meet their transportation electrification goals, and that all communities reap the health and economic benefits of clean cars, convenient access to charging infrastructure for all drivers is essential.

Fortunately, RMI’s forthcoming GridUp tool can help policymakers, regulators, and utilities understand the changing needs of rural and low-income communities and will allow them to make informed decisions on where to place charging infrastructure so that everyone benefits.

The need for EV Charging for all

EVs present a cost-effective solution to decarbonize trips and reduce climate pollution, especially for low-income, rural, and communities of color facing a variety of transportation barriers and higher levels of climate pollution. Given the lack of public transportation options in suburban and rural communities, EVs offer one of the more affordable options to decarbonize those commuters and transportation of goods. Lower-income households tend to live in their townships’ least transit connected neighborhoods and have the most to gain from lower operating cost vehicles –EV drivers spend about 60% less annually than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles owners – and increased mobility access connecting them to jobs, schools, and other health and wealth producing destinations. EVs also offer an opportunity to reduce pollution from the transportation sector – which disproportionately impacts low-income communities and communities of color. However, charging infrastructure tends to be installed where it is profitable, instead of where pollution or public transportation is worse.

In an electrified transportation future, EV charging itself could provide rural communities greater energy resilience. Future EVs could serve as backup batteries powering vital appliances or medical equipment during an outage. While upgrading the grid to supply the rise in EVs, utilities can include wider resilience improvements at the same time, such as wildfire mitigation strategies.

Equitable access to charging infrastructure ensures customers can charge their EVs regardless of location, housing-type, or travel patterns. Today, most EV owners live in single-family housing units with access to home charging, so finding, paying, and waiting for public charging is less of a concern. However, these are real obstacles for folks living in multi-family housing or driving long distances daily who struggle to justify the switch from an ICE vehicle to an EV. For these customers, the charging infrastructure must be in place and reliable to rationalize the economic investment accompanied with this lifestyle change. ICE vehicle owners rarely worry where they will fill up the gas tank. The U.S.’s present public charging infrastructure cannot promise the same thing, but other countries have proven reliable access to charging can become ubiquitous in just a few years. In Australia, EVs sales have grown rapidly and charging accessibility has maintained ratios similar to very advanced countries, such as Norway.

Understanding driver behavior

In the U.S., many utilities have prioritized investments in equitable charging infrastructure and other electric transportation solutions to ensure access to clean transportation solutions are available to all. Some utilities offer incentives to offset the costs related to charging infrastructure, electrical or transformer upgrades, and trenching. A handful of programs bundle solar installation or subsidize charging rates for customers Given the increased energy use, some utilities’ incentives put almost no cost on the customer.

As policy makers, regulators, utilities, and charging companies construct programs to incentivize charging infrastructure, they should prioritize investments that that incorporate the unique needs of disadvantaged communities while supporting the grid. To do this, they need to understand the behaviors of drivers and how these behaviors will create and shape charging demand. For example, increasing access to public charging will enable drivers without the ability to charge at home to “fill up” while they are at work or running errands. Not only will this shift where charging is sited to more commercial areas but will also increase demand throughout the day (versus the majority of home charging which occurs overnight).

Similarly, some cities or states that implement policies to make charging available at multi-family residencies, which makes changing more accessible to low-income households, who tend to have lower rates of home ownership. In these cases, charger use will shift away from high-powered direct current fast charging (DCFC) in commercial areas during the day and towards lower power Level 2 charging in residential areas with a high share of multi-family housing at night. Understanding these types of patterns can help utility companies and charging service providers optimize charging infrastructure and keep the costs of charging down by allocating resources based on peak hours and effectively managing demand to avoid grid strain.

RMI’s GridUp tool

RMI’s forthcoming GridUp tool will enable detailed insights into forecasted charging behavior. A critical resource to advance equitable charging infrastructure development, the GridUp tool is uniquely detailed and flexible: it captures the interdependencies between how charging infrastructure is deployed, how drivers use chargers, and how the grid is impacted by charger use.

Beyond electricity use data, GridUp provides data at the Census Block level, enabling users to overlay demographic metrics to ensure underserved communities are prioritized in this transition. Transportation electrification will not be successful without prioritizing clean transportation solutions for everyone. Where lack of access to charging is a primary barrier to EV adoption, GridUp will enable strategic development of charging and grid infrastructure that reflects the real-time behavior and needs of communities.

FedEx Cares reproduced this article with permission from RMI. The GridUp tool and Electrification 101 article series are supported by a generous grant from FedEx.

The greatest roadblock to innovation in 2024 will be the lack of talent to help develop and deliver it. There are no quick fixes to the talent crisis affecting the technology industry, but 2024 will see a heightened increase in educational program planning, reskilling, and certification programs to help existing talent move into the next stage in their careers.

Keysight executives share their predictions about the challenges and solutions to overcoming the technology talent gap in this article.

Skills silo throttles integration of AI in 6G- Roger Nichols, 6G Program Manager

Domain knowledge and AI expertise are vital to successfully integrating AI into 6G networks. Today, we have either wireless experts or AI specialists, but too few heads that share expertise in both domains. Until these skill sets are blended, it will be tough to find the right resources to deploy AI effectively in support of 6G goals. I believe this workforce capability gap will take more than a decade to resolve.

New school solutions for emerging challenges- Gareth Smith, SM Software Test Automation

Goodbye citizen developer, hello business developer

Citizen developers have long been touted as the answer to the IT talent shortage. However, the rapid growth of AI-powered solutions is fueling a new generation of business developers. These domain experts will increasingly be involved in the SDLC as they understand the goals and operations of the enterprise. This will give rise to a new wave of no-code systems that enable business users to define goals and then have AI technology close the gap. The operational knowledge ensures that the software meets the specific needs of the organization and mitigates the risk.

Why AI needs a driver’s license and a regular inspection

Currently, AI systems are tested by the companies building them. As the risks are increasingly understood, having an independent body to verify that an AI system is compliant is essential. Gaining an AI certification (AI driver’s license) will be the first step. However, just like your car, it will require a regular test to ensure it remains ethical, responsible, free of bias, and meets the necessary country and industry standards. In

AI and Talent: The augmentation era- Marie Hattar, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer

As AI becomes more pervasive, this will inevitably change the fabric of marketing teams. Lower-level admin-centric roles will disappear, and many analytical positions will become redundant. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; the demand for data scientists will explode, making it one of the most sought-after skill sets for the rest of this decade and immune to economic pressures. Humans will continue to drive marketing, but the role of machines will increase each year. This era of AI (with guardrails) augmenting humans will continue for at least another decade in marketing.

Bridging the talent gap with quantum leaps in education- Dr. Philip Krantz, Quantum Engineering Solutions

The shortage of quantum talent will create an opportunity for higher education to offer new programs to help train the future quantum workforce. By 2030, quantum courses will be commonplace. These programs will involve industry partners so students can access the latest quantum control and readout technologies and obtain the right technical skills. In addition, business schools will offer quantum courses to prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs to enter the quantum ecosystem.

Quantum technologies are expanding beyond the academic realm and into startups, high-tech companies, and the military. This will give rise to more quantum hubs, incubators, and local and national ecosystems all trying to build a workforce able to seize the quantum opportunity. Solving the talent gap is critical to realizing the potential of quantum in the coming years and decades.

Navigating the Digital Shift: Design management essentials- Niels Fache, VP and GM of Keysight EDA

With the creation of digital enterprise workflows, many organizations are investing in design management across tool sets, data, and IP. Moving forward, design data and IP management software will play a critical role in the success of complex SoC and heterogeneous chiplet designs supporting large, geographically distributed teams. The creation of digital threads between requirements definition and compliance as well as establishing tighter links with enterprise systems such as PLM will play a role in the digital transformation of product development cycles.

Empowerment through education

Keysight is committed to nurturing tomorrow’s innovators and helping students to lean into their curiosity and love of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and make that passion into a career. Education is necessary for achieving technological dominance and ensuring that today’s momentum only grows with future generations.

The greatest roadblock to innovation in 2024 will be the lack of talent to help develop and deliver it. There are no quick fixes to the talent crisis affecting the technology industry, but 2024 will see a heightened increase in educational program planning, reskilling, and certification programs to help existing talent move into the next stage in their careers.

Keysight executives share their predictions about the challenges and solutions to overcoming the technology talent gap in this article.

Skills silo throttles integration of AI in 6G- Roger Nichols, 6G Program Manager

Domain knowledge and AI expertise are vital to successfully integrating AI into 6G networks. Today, we have either wireless experts or AI specialists, but too few heads that share expertise in both domains. Until these skill sets are blended, it will be tough to find the right resources to deploy AI effectively in support of 6G goals. I believe this workforce capability gap will take more than a decade to resolve.

New school solutions for emerging challenges- Gareth Smith, SM Software Test Automation

Goodbye citizen developer, hello business developer

Citizen developers have long been touted as the answer to the IT talent shortage. However, the rapid growth of AI-powered solutions is fueling a new generation of business developers. These domain experts will increasingly be involved in the SDLC as they understand the goals and operations of the enterprise. This will give rise to a new wave of no-code systems that enable business users to define goals and then have AI technology close the gap. The operational knowledge ensures that the software meets the specific needs of the organization and mitigates the risk.

Why AI needs a driver’s license and a regular inspection

Currently, AI systems are tested by the companies building them. As the risks are increasingly understood, having an independent body to verify that an AI system is compliant is essential. Gaining an AI certification (AI driver’s license) will be the first step. However, just like your car, it will require a regular test to ensure it remains ethical, responsible, free of bias, and meets the necessary country and industry standards. In

AI and Talent: The augmentation era- Marie Hattar, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer

As AI becomes more pervasive, this will inevitably change the fabric of marketing teams. Lower-level admin-centric roles will disappear, and many analytical positions will become redundant. However, it’s not all doom and gloom; the demand for data scientists will explode, making it one of the most sought-after skill sets for the rest of this decade and immune to economic pressures. Humans will continue to drive marketing, but the role of machines will increase each year. This era of AI (with guardrails) augmenting humans will continue for at least another decade in marketing.

Bridging the talent gap with quantum leaps in education- Dr. Philip Krantz, Quantum Engineering Solutions

The shortage of quantum talent will create an opportunity for higher education to offer new programs to help train the future quantum workforce. By 2030, quantum courses will be commonplace. These programs will involve industry partners so students can access the latest quantum control and readout technologies and obtain the right technical skills. In addition, business schools will offer quantum courses to prepare the next generation of entrepreneurs to enter the quantum ecosystem.

Quantum technologies are expanding beyond the academic realm and into startups, high-tech companies, and the military. This will give rise to more quantum hubs, incubators, and local and national ecosystems all trying to build a workforce able to seize the quantum opportunity. Solving the talent gap is critical to realizing the potential of quantum in the coming years and decades.

Navigating the Digital Shift: Design management essentials- Niels Fache, VP and GM of Keysight EDA

With the creation of digital enterprise workflows, many organizations are investing in design management across tool sets, data, and IP. Moving forward, design data and IP management software will play a critical role in the success of complex SoC and heterogeneous chiplet designs supporting large, geographically distributed teams. The creation of digital threads between requirements definition and compliance as well as establishing tighter links with enterprise systems such as PLM will play a role in the digital transformation of product development cycles.

Empowerment through education

Keysight is committed to nurturing tomorrow’s innovators and helping students to lean into their curiosity and love of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and make that passion into a career. Education is necessary for achieving technological dominance and ensuring that today’s momentum only grows with future generations.

CBRE

Key Takeaways

Demand for EVs is increasing the need for manufacturing facilities, assembly plants and distribution centers across North America.Tax incentives and government grants and subsidies are being offered to encourage the expansion of EV operations and investment in new facilities.EV manufacturing facilities require unique specifications, features and geographies.Demand for power and specialized technicians is expected to outpace supply, which could constrain the industry’s growth. Meeting corporate decarbonization commitments amid supply chain strain is another challenge.

Introduction

EVs are now more popular than ever, with significant growth still ahead. There are over 3 million EVs on U.S. roads today and 26 million are projected by 2030, according to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). EVs accounted for 7.2% of U.S. new car sales in Q2 2023, up from 5.7% a year earlier. Domestically, the industry is projected to generate US$77.7 billion in revenue this year and grow 18% per year to approximately US$177.2 billion by 2028, according to Statista Market Insights.

Multiple factors are driving this EV demand surge:

Environmental Benefits:

Pure electric cars do not directly produce carbon dioxide emissions, greatly reducing air pollution. Two-thirds of Americans want to reduce their impact on climate change and nearly three-quarters want to use less gasoline, according to a 2023 survey by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

Availability and Affordability:

On average, EVs cost less than traditional gasoline vehicles, considering purchase price minus resale price, fuel, insurance, taxes, fees, maintenance and repairs. Federal tax credits for certain vehicle models often provide further cost savings.

U.S. Government Policies and Incentives:

The federal government set the goal of zero-emissions by 2030 for half of all new vehicles sold domestically.The Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers up to US$7,500 for qualifying EVs. This program began April 2023.The 12% federal excise tax on zero-emission trucks has been suspended, as a purchase incentive.The State of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule mandates that all new cars and light trucks sold in the state will be 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035. It is the U.S.’s leading state for EV and plug-in hybrid registrations per thousand people.

EV Production Rises to Meet Demand

Automotive Manufacturer Landscape

There were 94 Original Equipment Manufacturer plants producing automobiles and trucks across North America at the end of 2022. There were 55 plants in the U.S., 30 in Mexico and nine in Canada.

Traditional major automotive manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors and Hyundai are increasing EV production. However, Tesla produces the most EVs in the U.S., having delivered a record of more than 466,000 EVs in Q2 2023.

Other notable EV automakers include the publicly traded California-based firms Rivian and Lucid Motors. Rivian, founded in 2009, recently announced Q2 2023 production volume set a company record, at nearly 13,000 EVs. The company is pacing to produce 50,000 vehicles by year-end. Lucid Motors, a luxury EV manufacturer founded in 2007, plans to build its first overseas manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government, an investor, committed to purchase up to 100,000 Lucid automobiles over the next 10 years.

Investments in EV Manufacturing

Vehicles

Most major automotive manufacturers are now developing EVs and ramping up production with multi-billion dollar EV facility investments throughout the U.S. As of May 2023, there were nine Ford EV facilities collectively valued at US$18.7 billion and 11 General Motors EV plants collectively valued at US$14.6 billion under construction. Many EV plants are located in the South: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee are home to over US$64 billion of EV development investments. The Midwest has projects valued at about US$33 billion, under construction in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The construction of these plants creates the need for nearby distribution centers to store and distribute automobile components.

Charging stations

In Q2 2023, BMW, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedez-Benz and Stellantis announced a joint investment of at least US$1 billion to build nearly 30,000 fast EV chargers on major highways and other areas across the U.S. and Canada over the next few years. Currently, there are about 54,600 charging stations in the U.S. and about 20,900 in Canada.Siemens opened its second U.S. EV charging manufacturing hub in Dallas-Ft. Worth this year. The company plans to produce one million EV chargers to support the U.S.As of August 2023, the most Alternative Fueling Stations (AFSCs) are in California, at just under 15,000 public stations, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. New York has the second most, with nearly 3,500, and Texas is in third with close to 2,700.

Batteries

Panasonic is investing approximately US$4 billion in its lithium-ion battery plant under construction in DeSoto, Kansas. Completion is scheduled for early 2025.Ford will invest US$3.5 billion in a 2.5 million sq. ft. EV battery manufacturing plant in Marshall, Michigan. The lithium iron phosphate battery plant will employ roughly 2,500 employees and is scheduled to be operational by 2026.

Semiconductors

Semiconductors are used in many electronic devices, including EVs. They power numerous electric mechanisms in the EV manufacturing process by controlling the flow of electricity and providing conductivity changes based on the environment. Companies such as U.S.-based Micron are investing up to US$100 billion for a new megafab in Clay, New York to build the U.S.’s largest-ever semiconductor fabrication facility. The microchip factory would aid in components for EVs and other chip-related industries.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) made a substantial investment of US$40 billion to construct two semiconductor fabrication plants in Central Arizona.

U.S. Leasing Activity

While many EV manufacturing plants are owner-occupied, EV industry growth has resulted in more leasing activity for specialized manufacturing and distribution centers. In the U.S., the leasing has typically been bulk lease transactions (100,000 sq. ft. or more). Bulk lease transactions comprise 7 million sq. ft. of the 7.9 million sq. ft. of EV-occupied space leased in H1 2023, representing 163% year-over-year growth.

There are 15 markets where over one million sq. ft. of industrial space was leased to EV occupiers in the last five years. These deals total 28 million sq. ft., representing 73% of all EV leasing deals over this time period. The top five markets were Chicago (3.6 million sq. ft.), Detroit (3.1 million sq. ft.), Central Valley (2.5 million sq. ft.), Silicon Valley (2.4 million sq. ft.) and Memphis (2.3 million sq. ft.).

Mexico and Canada Nearshoring

Mexico

Mexico’s manufacturing and logistics facility construction and leasing activity is significantly growing due to the nearshoring of automotive manufacturing to the country. There is 40 million sq. ft. of industrial space under construction, representing 22% growth over the past year. A record-high 27.2 million sq. ft. was leased during H1 2023, with 3.1 million sq. ft. (17%) leased to automotive companies. CBRE forecasts that, as of Q2 2023, industrial tenants are seeking to lease 16.85 million sq. ft. of space, with automotive companies comprising 43.1% of this demand.

Even more automotive companies are expanding or coming to Mexico due to affordable labor availability, proximity to the U.S. border and a broad supplier base.

Select Mexico major projects:

Tesla announced it will build its sixth Gigafactory in Nuevo León (Monterrey), a key port for commercial trade between northeastern Mexico and the U.S. The 3.5 million sq. ft. facility will be Tesla’s first location in Mexico.Toyota plans to invest US$328 million in its Guanajuato production plant to begin manufacturing hybrid Tacoma trucks. The company’s total investment in this facility will increase to US$1.2 billion. The Japanese automaker has operated in Mexico for over 20 years.Markets such as Saltillo, Mexico are also greatly benefiting from the new construction activity, as more automotive industry occupiers enter its region.Other major companies expanding in Mexico include Molex in Guadalajara and Ford in Mexico City.

Canada

The Canadian government has shown its commitment to the Canadian EV industry with record capital contributions and subsidies. The country aims to achieve 20% zero-emission light-duty vehicle sales by 2026, 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Many existing Canadian auto manufacturing plants are being revamped for EV production. Canada has direct access to most of the critical natural resources required for EV battery manufacturing, making its location even more desirable. New EV registrations increased by 396% over the last five years across Canada’s seven main provinces, while gasoline-powered vehicles declined by 36%.

As highlighted in CBRE’s report on Southwestern Ontario, the market has a long legacy as an automotive manufacturing and supply chain hub. Its regional industry growth continues with investments in EVs.

Select Canada major projects:

Stellantis and LG Energy Solution are constructing a C$5 billion (US$3.8 billion) EV battery plant manufacturing facility in Ontario, set to produce over 45 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery capacity each year. The project is scheduled to deliver in 2024.Windsor, Ontario is home to two Ford engine plants. The company plans to invest C$1.8 billion (US$1.3 billion) towards retooling its Oakville Assembly Complex to build EVs by 2025.Volkswagen pledged C$7 billion (US$5.2 billion) to build a 370-acre EV battery plant in St. Thomas, Ontario, with government capital contributions totaling C$1.2 billion (US$897,300) and subsidies totaling up to C$13 billion (US$9.7 billion) over the next decade.The first all-EV manufacturing facility in Ontario was developed in late 2022 for General Motors.

Charging Ahead: Four EV Challenges to Consider

1. Adequate Power Availability
Modern EV vehicle and battery manufacturing is extremely power-intensive. EV manufacturing facilities have unique infrastructure requirements, including high-voltage power supply, battery assembly lines, charging foundation installation capabilities and advanced robotics and automation systems. All of these elements rely on stabilized energy flow and accessibility to power, which is key to the sector’s continued robust growth.

2. Labor Force & EV Training
Growing EV demand is fueling the need for more electrical engineers and technicians with EV-specialized training. These talents are essential for designing, developing and manufacturing EVs and their components such as motors and batteries. Today, there are approximately 194,000 EV-specialized engineers but 200,000 will be needed by 2027. This is the industry’s most in-demand job. The total industry labor force is expected to grow by over 27,000 by 2027.

Meeting this labor demand may be challenged by demographics. Many aging workers may not be able to adapt to the new skills and requirements of EV manufacturing. Robust training and education initiatives will be critical to address this headwind.

3. The Need to Retool Infrastructure
The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act increased the country’s investment in domestic energy production and manufacturing, to meet the federal mandate of reducing carbon emissions by roughly 40% by 2030. Corporations have announced new plans to locate manufacturing facilities across the country. A typical project can take three to five years from planning to being fully operational, with the bulk of construction time spent on utility installation.

Facility design may need to be retooled in order to accommodate the unique requirements of EV-related operations, as seen in many Canadian facilities. This can include considerations such as adequate space for charging infrastructure, battery storage, maintenance as well as accommodating increased electrical capacity and energy demands.

4. Supply Chain Pressures
Manufacturing EVs requires a fluid supply chain for sourcing key raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth metals. Half of the world’s cobalt originates from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bolivia, Chile and Argentina contain three-fourths of the world’s lithium, according to Energyx. Two-thirds of this raw material is processed in China. According to Statista, revenue in the EV market is projected to reach US$70 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow 18% annually, resulting in a projected market volume of US$162 billion by 2028. This expanded goal will add pressure to mine, transport and refine these materials faster than ever before, further straining the supply chain.

Outlook

EVs will become mainstream as their affordability and environmental benefits win over more consumers, with an assist from improved infrastructure and government incentives. Rising demand for EV vehicles, batteries, other components and charging stations will require strategically located distribution centers, manufacturing space equipped with advanced machinery, fast-charging station compatibility and proximity to renewable energy sources. Industrial real estate demand trends will be more concentrated in the U.S.’s Midwest and Southeast regions due to logistical, economic and labor market advantages. California will see solid demand, given its close relationship with top EV companies. Texas is also well-positioned in the EV industry due to its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and hosting Tesla’s headquarters in Austin. These regions will enjoy more economic and employment opportunities related to charging infrastructure deployment, battery development and software engineering. These factors will shape the industrial landscape and influence occupier and investor decision-making for the foreseeable future.

About CBRE EV Solutions:

CBRE’s new global service line advises clients on establishing their EV charging infrastructure, including EV-charging strategy, identifying locations for charging sites, planning and installation of EV-charging infrastructure and providing overall program management and ongoing maintenance.

CBRE

Key Takeaways

Demand for EVs is increasing the need for manufacturing facilities, assembly plants and distribution centers across North America.Tax incentives and government grants and subsidies are being offered to encourage the expansion of EV operations and investment in new facilities.EV manufacturing facilities require unique specifications, features and geographies.Demand for power and specialized technicians is expected to outpace supply, which could constrain the industry’s growth. Meeting corporate decarbonization commitments amid supply chain strain is another challenge.

Introduction

EVs are now more popular than ever, with significant growth still ahead. There are over 3 million EVs on U.S. roads today and 26 million are projected by 2030, according to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). EVs accounted for 7.2% of U.S. new car sales in Q2 2023, up from 5.7% a year earlier. Domestically, the industry is projected to generate US$77.7 billion in revenue this year and grow 18% per year to approximately US$177.2 billion by 2028, according to Statista Market Insights.

Multiple factors are driving this EV demand surge:

Environmental Benefits:

Pure electric cars do not directly produce carbon dioxide emissions, greatly reducing air pollution. Two-thirds of Americans want to reduce their impact on climate change and nearly three-quarters want to use less gasoline, according to a 2023 survey by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.

Availability and Affordability:

On average, EVs cost less than traditional gasoline vehicles, considering purchase price minus resale price, fuel, insurance, taxes, fees, maintenance and repairs. Federal tax credits for certain vehicle models often provide further cost savings.

U.S. Government Policies and Incentives:

The federal government set the goal of zero-emissions by 2030 for half of all new vehicles sold domestically.The Clean Vehicle Rebate Program offers up to US$7,500 for qualifying EVs. This program began April 2023.The 12% federal excise tax on zero-emission trucks has been suspended, as a purchase incentive.The State of California’s Advanced Clean Cars II rule mandates that all new cars and light trucks sold in the state will be 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035. It is the U.S.’s leading state for EV and plug-in hybrid registrations per thousand people.

EV Production Rises to Meet Demand

Automotive Manufacturer Landscape

There were 94 Original Equipment Manufacturer plants producing automobiles and trucks across North America at the end of 2022. There were 55 plants in the U.S., 30 in Mexico and nine in Canada.

Traditional major automotive manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors and Hyundai are increasing EV production. However, Tesla produces the most EVs in the U.S., having delivered a record of more than 466,000 EVs in Q2 2023.

Other notable EV automakers include the publicly traded California-based firms Rivian and Lucid Motors. Rivian, founded in 2009, recently announced Q2 2023 production volume set a company record, at nearly 13,000 EVs. The company is pacing to produce 50,000 vehicles by year-end. Lucid Motors, a luxury EV manufacturer founded in 2007, plans to build its first overseas manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government, an investor, committed to purchase up to 100,000 Lucid automobiles over the next 10 years.

Investments in EV Manufacturing

Vehicles

Most major automotive manufacturers are now developing EVs and ramping up production with multi-billion dollar EV facility investments throughout the U.S. As of May 2023, there were nine Ford EV facilities collectively valued at US$18.7 billion and 11 General Motors EV plants collectively valued at US$14.6 billion under construction. Many EV plants are located in the South: Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee are home to over US$64 billion of EV development investments. The Midwest has projects valued at about US$33 billion, under construction in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. The construction of these plants creates the need for nearby distribution centers to store and distribute automobile components.

Charging stations

In Q2 2023, BMW, GM, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedez-Benz and Stellantis announced a joint investment of at least US$1 billion to build nearly 30,000 fast EV chargers on major highways and other areas across the U.S. and Canada over the next few years. Currently, there are about 54,600 charging stations in the U.S. and about 20,900 in Canada.Siemens opened its second U.S. EV charging manufacturing hub in Dallas-Ft. Worth this year. The company plans to produce one million EV chargers to support the U.S.As of August 2023, the most Alternative Fueling Stations (AFSCs) are in California, at just under 15,000 public stations, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. New York has the second most, with nearly 3,500, and Texas is in third with close to 2,700.

Batteries

Panasonic is investing approximately US$4 billion in its lithium-ion battery plant under construction in DeSoto, Kansas. Completion is scheduled for early 2025.Ford will invest US$3.5 billion in a 2.5 million sq. ft. EV battery manufacturing plant in Marshall, Michigan. The lithium iron phosphate battery plant will employ roughly 2,500 employees and is scheduled to be operational by 2026.

Semiconductors

Semiconductors are used in many electronic devices, including EVs. They power numerous electric mechanisms in the EV manufacturing process by controlling the flow of electricity and providing conductivity changes based on the environment. Companies such as U.S.-based Micron are investing up to US$100 billion for a new megafab in Clay, New York to build the U.S.’s largest-ever semiconductor fabrication facility. The microchip factory would aid in components for EVs and other chip-related industries.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) made a substantial investment of US$40 billion to construct two semiconductor fabrication plants in Central Arizona.

U.S. Leasing Activity

While many EV manufacturing plants are owner-occupied, EV industry growth has resulted in more leasing activity for specialized manufacturing and distribution centers. In the U.S., the leasing has typically been bulk lease transactions (100,000 sq. ft. or more). Bulk lease transactions comprise 7 million sq. ft. of the 7.9 million sq. ft. of EV-occupied space leased in H1 2023, representing 163% year-over-year growth.

There are 15 markets where over one million sq. ft. of industrial space was leased to EV occupiers in the last five years. These deals total 28 million sq. ft., representing 73% of all EV leasing deals over this time period. The top five markets were Chicago (3.6 million sq. ft.), Detroit (3.1 million sq. ft.), Central Valley (2.5 million sq. ft.), Silicon Valley (2.4 million sq. ft.) and Memphis (2.3 million sq. ft.).

Mexico and Canada Nearshoring

Mexico

Mexico’s manufacturing and logistics facility construction and leasing activity is significantly growing due to the nearshoring of automotive manufacturing to the country. There is 40 million sq. ft. of industrial space under construction, representing 22% growth over the past year. A record-high 27.2 million sq. ft. was leased during H1 2023, with 3.1 million sq. ft. (17%) leased to automotive companies. CBRE forecasts that, as of Q2 2023, industrial tenants are seeking to lease 16.85 million sq. ft. of space, with automotive companies comprising 43.1% of this demand.

Even more automotive companies are expanding or coming to Mexico due to affordable labor availability, proximity to the U.S. border and a broad supplier base.

Select Mexico major projects:

Tesla announced it will build its sixth Gigafactory in Nuevo León (Monterrey), a key port for commercial trade between northeastern Mexico and the U.S. The 3.5 million sq. ft. facility will be Tesla’s first location in Mexico.Toyota plans to invest US$328 million in its Guanajuato production plant to begin manufacturing hybrid Tacoma trucks. The company’s total investment in this facility will increase to US$1.2 billion. The Japanese automaker has operated in Mexico for over 20 years.Markets such as Saltillo, Mexico are also greatly benefiting from the new construction activity, as more automotive industry occupiers enter its region.Other major companies expanding in Mexico include Molex in Guadalajara and Ford in Mexico City.

Canada

The Canadian government has shown its commitment to the Canadian EV industry with record capital contributions and subsidies. The country aims to achieve 20% zero-emission light-duty vehicle sales by 2026, 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035. Many existing Canadian auto manufacturing plants are being revamped for EV production. Canada has direct access to most of the critical natural resources required for EV battery manufacturing, making its location even more desirable. New EV registrations increased by 396% over the last five years across Canada’s seven main provinces, while gasoline-powered vehicles declined by 36%.

As highlighted in CBRE’s report on Southwestern Ontario, the market has a long legacy as an automotive manufacturing and supply chain hub. Its regional industry growth continues with investments in EVs.

Select Canada major projects:

Stellantis and LG Energy Solution are constructing a C$5 billion (US$3.8 billion) EV battery plant manufacturing facility in Ontario, set to produce over 45 gigawatt hours (GWh) of battery capacity each year. The project is scheduled to deliver in 2024.Windsor, Ontario is home to two Ford engine plants. The company plans to invest C$1.8 billion (US$1.3 billion) towards retooling its Oakville Assembly Complex to build EVs by 2025.Volkswagen pledged C$7 billion (US$5.2 billion) to build a 370-acre EV battery plant in St. Thomas, Ontario, with government capital contributions totaling C$1.2 billion (US$897,300) and subsidies totaling up to C$13 billion (US$9.7 billion) over the next decade.The first all-EV manufacturing facility in Ontario was developed in late 2022 for General Motors.

Charging Ahead: Four EV Challenges to Consider

1. Adequate Power Availability
Modern EV vehicle and battery manufacturing is extremely power-intensive. EV manufacturing facilities have unique infrastructure requirements, including high-voltage power supply, battery assembly lines, charging foundation installation capabilities and advanced robotics and automation systems. All of these elements rely on stabilized energy flow and accessibility to power, which is key to the sector’s continued robust growth.

2. Labor Force & EV Training
Growing EV demand is fueling the need for more electrical engineers and technicians with EV-specialized training. These talents are essential for designing, developing and manufacturing EVs and their components such as motors and batteries. Today, there are approximately 194,000 EV-specialized engineers but 200,000 will be needed by 2027. This is the industry’s most in-demand job. The total industry labor force is expected to grow by over 27,000 by 2027.

Meeting this labor demand may be challenged by demographics. Many aging workers may not be able to adapt to the new skills and requirements of EV manufacturing. Robust training and education initiatives will be critical to address this headwind.

3. The Need to Retool Infrastructure
The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPS Act increased the country’s investment in domestic energy production and manufacturing, to meet the federal mandate of reducing carbon emissions by roughly 40% by 2030. Corporations have announced new plans to locate manufacturing facilities across the country. A typical project can take three to five years from planning to being fully operational, with the bulk of construction time spent on utility installation.

Facility design may need to be retooled in order to accommodate the unique requirements of EV-related operations, as seen in many Canadian facilities. This can include considerations such as adequate space for charging infrastructure, battery storage, maintenance as well as accommodating increased electrical capacity and energy demands.

4. Supply Chain Pressures
Manufacturing EVs requires a fluid supply chain for sourcing key raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and rare earth metals. Half of the world’s cobalt originates from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Bolivia, Chile and Argentina contain three-fourths of the world’s lithium, according to Energyx. Two-thirds of this raw material is processed in China. According to Statista, revenue in the EV market is projected to reach US$70 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow 18% annually, resulting in a projected market volume of US$162 billion by 2028. This expanded goal will add pressure to mine, transport and refine these materials faster than ever before, further straining the supply chain.

Outlook

EVs will become mainstream as their affordability and environmental benefits win over more consumers, with an assist from improved infrastructure and government incentives. Rising demand for EV vehicles, batteries, other components and charging stations will require strategically located distribution centers, manufacturing space equipped with advanced machinery, fast-charging station compatibility and proximity to renewable energy sources. Industrial real estate demand trends will be more concentrated in the U.S.’s Midwest and Southeast regions due to logistical, economic and labor market advantages. California will see solid demand, given its close relationship with top EV companies. Texas is also well-positioned in the EV industry due to its proximity to the U.S.-Mexico border and hosting Tesla’s headquarters in Austin. These regions will enjoy more economic and employment opportunities related to charging infrastructure deployment, battery development and software engineering. These factors will shape the industrial landscape and influence occupier and investor decision-making for the foreseeable future.

About CBRE EV Solutions:

CBRE’s new global service line advises clients on establishing their EV charging infrastructure, including EV-charging strategy, identifying locations for charging sites, planning and installation of EV-charging infrastructure and providing overall program management and ongoing maintenance.

PORTLAND, Ore., February 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Latino Network hosted a Gather for Good fundraiser on Thursday, February 8th in downtown Portland and received a $300,000 grant from KeyBank to support its Escalera (11th and 12th grades) and Fuerza (post-secondary) programs. The funds will be used to bolster these programs’ existing curriculum and services by offering more flexible sessions and introducing new workshops focused on financial literacy, mental health, resource navigation and academic success to provide additional crucial support to students and their families.

Latino Network has served Oregon’s Latinx communities for over 27 years, providing culturally specific services that reach over 12,000 participants across four counties (Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Deschutes) and 14 cities. Over 70% of its participants self-identify as Latinx/Hispanic and nearly 90% are BIPOC. Latino Network offers 62 culturally specific programs that cover nutrition, rent and energy assistance, health, education, violence prevention, youth empowerment, advocacy and leadership training.

The goal of this current empowerment project is to expand opportunities for students in the Escalera program to access crucial resources, such as tailored college preparation, trade school visits, financial aid guidance and STEM exploration. Additionally, it will help the transition of emerging students from high school into post-secondary life through the Fuerza program, providing support, engagement opportunities and partnerships with schools and community colleges.

“At KeyBank, we know that a crucial building block to a stable future is developing skills that will lead to successful and fulfilling employment,” said Josh Lyons, KeyBank’s Market President for Oregon and S.W. Washington and Commercial Banking leader. “This program will help these bright youth learn of the many opportunities available to them and seek the qualifications that will allow them to pursue a path of independence and reach their full potential.”

“Latino Network is proud to include KeyBank among our community partners and are extremely grateful for this generous gift,” said Tony DeFalco, Executive Director of Latino Network. “This grant will strengthen our work to engage high school juniors and seniors across the Portland metro area and offer culturally-specific support they need in order to graduate high school and have success pursuing post-secondary education. These funds will be an invaluable contribution to Portland’s Latinx students and community.”

About Latino Network 
Latino Network was founded in 1996 by community leaders who grew concerned about the lack of adequate resources to meet the needs of the growing Latino community. Since that time, Latino Network has evolved to become a Latino-led community-based organization grounded in culturally-specific practices and services aimed at educating and empowering the Latinx communities of the Portland metro area and elevating them to their full potential. Latino Network addresses systemic inequalities in Latinx communities by advancing early literacy, building leadership capacity, promoting health and wellness initiatives, encouraging parent involvement, working with gang-involved and adjudicated youth and families, and providing academic support and activities to area youth. The organization’s work springs from the core belief in Latinx community self-determination—that is, the ability of community members to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families. To find out more, please visit https://www.latnet.org/.

About KeyBank 
KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

###

CONTACT: 
Latino Network | Evelyn Kocher | 971-645-0980 | evelyn@latnet.org 
KeyBank | Laura Suter | 206-343-6953 | laura_suter@keybank.com

PORTLAND, Ore., February 12, 2024 /3BL/ – Latino Network hosted a Gather for Good fundraiser on Thursday, February 8th in downtown Portland and received a $300,000 grant from KeyBank to support its Escalera (11th and 12th grades) and Fuerza (post-secondary) programs. The funds will be used to bolster these programs’ existing curriculum and services by offering more flexible sessions and introducing new workshops focused on financial literacy, mental health, resource navigation and academic success to provide additional crucial support to students and their families.

Latino Network has served Oregon’s Latinx communities for over 27 years, providing culturally specific services that reach over 12,000 participants across four counties (Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Deschutes) and 14 cities. Over 70% of its participants self-identify as Latinx/Hispanic and nearly 90% are BIPOC. Latino Network offers 62 culturally specific programs that cover nutrition, rent and energy assistance, health, education, violence prevention, youth empowerment, advocacy and leadership training.

The goal of this current empowerment project is to expand opportunities for students in the Escalera program to access crucial resources, such as tailored college preparation, trade school visits, financial aid guidance and STEM exploration. Additionally, it will help the transition of emerging students from high school into post-secondary life through the Fuerza program, providing support, engagement opportunities and partnerships with schools and community colleges.

“At KeyBank, we know that a crucial building block to a stable future is developing skills that will lead to successful and fulfilling employment,” said Josh Lyons, KeyBank’s Market President for Oregon and S.W. Washington and Commercial Banking leader. “This program will help these bright youth learn of the many opportunities available to them and seek the qualifications that will allow them to pursue a path of independence and reach their full potential.”

“Latino Network is proud to include KeyBank among our community partners and are extremely grateful for this generous gift,” said Tony DeFalco, Executive Director of Latino Network. “This grant will strengthen our work to engage high school juniors and seniors across the Portland metro area and offer culturally-specific support they need in order to graduate high school and have success pursuing post-secondary education. These funds will be an invaluable contribution to Portland’s Latinx students and community.”

About Latino Network 
Latino Network was founded in 1996 by community leaders who grew concerned about the lack of adequate resources to meet the needs of the growing Latino community. Since that time, Latino Network has evolved to become a Latino-led community-based organization grounded in culturally-specific practices and services aimed at educating and empowering the Latinx communities of the Portland metro area and elevating them to their full potential. Latino Network addresses systemic inequalities in Latinx communities by advancing early literacy, building leadership capacity, promoting health and wellness initiatives, encouraging parent involvement, working with gang-involved and adjudicated youth and families, and providing academic support and activities to area youth. The organization’s work springs from the core belief in Latinx community self-determination—that is, the ability of community members to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families. To find out more, please visit https://www.latnet.org/.

About KeyBank 
KeyCorp’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

###

CONTACT: 
Latino Network | Evelyn Kocher | 971-645-0980 | evelyn@latnet.org 
KeyBank | Laura Suter | 206-343-6953 | laura_suter@keybank.com