Tag: 3BL

CLEVELAND, September 22, 2025 /3BL/ — KeyBank’s Key4Women and Key Private Bank will present “Empowered Futures: Building an Intentional Legacy” a free, one-hour virtual event on Tuesday, September 30^th at 1:00 p.m. EST / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PST.

Cathy O’Malley-Kearney, J.D., executive vice president, national head of Key Private Bank will be joined by three KeyBank Key Private Bank executives to bring an insightful and impactful conversation tailored to women business professionals and owners. This webinar will provide essential insights into estate and tax planning, with a focus on the unique needs of women, including what questions to ask, protecting legacy, care for loved ones, and building a succession plan that will help long after transitioning from the business.

Key takeaways from the webinar include:

• Personal Planning- understanding wills, trusts, and strategies for a secure future.
• Business Continuity- understand succession planning and tax strategies to protect assets.
• Elder Care- navigate financial planning for aging parents and long-term support, while considering personal needs for the future.
• Family Legacy- explore tools for children’s education, guardianship, inheritance, and philanthropy.

“This is the webinar we all need regardless of what business we are in, our age, or what we do in our everyday lives,” said O’Malley-Kearney. “The takeaways from this conversation with these professionals are ones that can put into action right away and help make smart decisions for the future.”

Guests joining O’Malley-Kearney are:

• Lia Jones, J.D.- Key Private Bank senior fiduciary strategist
• Suzanne Rende, CTFA – Key Private Bank senior fiduciary strategist
• Kelly Goliat, J.D. LL.M Taxation- Key Private Bank director of tax, trust, and estate planning

For more information, contact key4women@keybank.com or register online by September 29^th here.

Key Wealth, Key Private Bank, Key Family Wealth, KeyBank Institutional Advisors and Key Private Client are marketing names for KeyBank National Association (KeyBank) and certain affiliates, such as Key Investment Services LLC (KIS) and KeyCorp Insurance Agency USA Inc. (KIA). Content provided for informational and educational purposes only and is in no way to be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice. We cannot and do not guarantee its applicability or accuracy in regard to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal financial issues. The link(s) provided in this email are not owned or operated by KeyBank.

KeyBank is not responsible for any scheduling conflicts, cancellations, postponement, access or connectivity issues, or force majeure event whatsoever associated with KeyBank’s vendors’ or Key4Women webinars. KeyBank is not responsible or liable for, and is hereby released from, any and all costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, to participation in Key4Women webinars. Key4Women is a registered trademark of KeyCorp. ©2025 KeyCorp®. All rights reserved.

About KeyCorp
In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $185 billion at June 30, 2025. 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 Member FDIC.

CFMA # 250917-3508528

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CLEVELAND, September 22, 2025 /3BL/ — KeyBank’s Key4Women and Key Private Bank will present “Empowered Futures: Building an Intentional Legacy” a free, one-hour virtual event on Tuesday, September 30^th at 1:00 p.m. EST / 11:00 a.m. MT / 10:00 a.m. PST.

Cathy O’Malley-Kearney, J.D., executive vice president, national head of Key Private Bank will be joined by three KeyBank Key Private Bank executives to bring an insightful and impactful conversation tailored to women business professionals and owners. This webinar will provide essential insights into estate and tax planning, with a focus on the unique needs of women, including what questions to ask, protecting legacy, care for loved ones, and building a succession plan that will help long after transitioning from the business.

Key takeaways from the webinar include:

• Personal Planning- understanding wills, trusts, and strategies for a secure future.
• Business Continuity- understand succession planning and tax strategies to protect assets.
• Elder Care- navigate financial planning for aging parents and long-term support, while considering personal needs for the future.
• Family Legacy- explore tools for children’s education, guardianship, inheritance, and philanthropy.

“This is the webinar we all need regardless of what business we are in, our age, or what we do in our everyday lives,” said O’Malley-Kearney. “The takeaways from this conversation with these professionals are ones that can put into action right away and help make smart decisions for the future.”

Guests joining O’Malley-Kearney are:

• Lia Jones, J.D.- Key Private Bank senior fiduciary strategist
• Suzanne Rende, CTFA – Key Private Bank senior fiduciary strategist
• Kelly Goliat, J.D. LL.M Taxation- Key Private Bank director of tax, trust, and estate planning

For more information, contact key4women@keybank.com or register online by September 29^th here.

Key Wealth, Key Private Bank, Key Family Wealth, KeyBank Institutional Advisors and Key Private Client are marketing names for KeyBank National Association (KeyBank) and certain affiliates, such as Key Investment Services LLC (KIS) and KeyCorp Insurance Agency USA Inc. (KIA). Content provided for informational and educational purposes only and is in no way to be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice. We cannot and do not guarantee its applicability or accuracy in regard to your individual circumstances. All examples are hypothetical and are for illustrative purposes. We encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding all personal financial issues. The link(s) provided in this email are not owned or operated by KeyBank.

KeyBank is not responsible for any scheduling conflicts, cancellations, postponement, access or connectivity issues, or force majeure event whatsoever associated with KeyBank’s vendors’ or Key4Women webinars. KeyBank is not responsible or liable for, and is hereby released from, any and all costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind, due in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, to participation in Key4Women webinars. Key4Women is a registered trademark of KeyCorp. ©2025 KeyCorp®. All rights reserved.

About KeyCorp
In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $185 billion at June 30, 2025. 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 Member FDIC.

CFMA # 250917-3508528

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The simple corrugated cardboard box, strong and light, is a bedrock of the American economy. From big-box behemoth stores to the local mom-and-pop, almost every product sold in the United States is at some point contained in cardboard.

For many companies, used cardboard presents a headache. It piles up, sometimes by the ton, behind stores, in warehouses, stockrooms and loading docks around the country, taking up valuable real estate, impeding business and, in some cases, creating a risk to human health and a fire hazard. A store can be shut down by a health official or a fire marshal simply because there is too much cardboard piling up behind the store.

Fortunately, corrugated cardboard is also one of the most recyclable materials in use today. In 2023, 71-76 percent of cardboard was recycled. Ensuring that recycled fiber is collected and fed back into our manufacturing process is a key component of the circular product lifecycle.

At International Paper we believe in circularity—recapturing and reusing as much of the raw materials of our business as possible. The more we recycle, the fewer resources we use to create new boxes, and the more sustainable our way of life becomes. As one of the world’s largest consumers of wood pulp, and by extension recycled pulp, International Paper occupies a unique and important position in the life of a cardboard box—and in the environmental sustainability of America’s natural resources. We use virgin pulp from sustainably-managed forests, but we also source millions of tons of used cardboard from department stores, large retailers, grocery chains and others. We then transport and process that recycled material into new boxes.

It is this end-to-end circular model that sets our approach apart from almost every other cardboard recycler.

Get the full story with our free white paper on our website here.

About International Paper 
International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com 

LINCOLN, Neb., September 22, 2025 /3BL/ – One New York City park sees new trees planted for the first time in two generations, thanks to the Arbor Day Foundation and Verizon. Monday’s event coincided with Climate Week NYC, a global convening of corporate and government leaders seeking to move the needle on environmental action.

In partnership with New York City Parks Tree Time initiative, volunteers planted dozens of trees in St. Vartan Park in the Murray Hill neighborhood of Manhattan. St. Vartan Park borders the Queens Midtown Tunnel, which carries approximately 80,000 vehicles per day between Manhattan and Queens. These new trees will help limit the impact of air pollution from heavy traffic, as well as provide shade for the park’s playgrounds.

The event in St. Vartan Park is the first in a series of three plantings during Climate Week NYC, supporting Verizon’s broader initiatives. This week more trees will be planted in Baisley Pond Park, along Review Avenue in Queens, and along Borden Avenue in Long Island City.

“Verizon’s leadership is making a real, lasting difference for communities. Our team at the Arbor Day Foundation has long appreciated their partnership,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We believe trees bring people together to do great things, and this project is proof. After nearly two generations without any new trees, we’re restoring a canopy that will provide cleaner air, more shade, and endless beauty to this New York City neighborhood.”

Aside from some recent playground equipment updates, St. Vartan Park has not been fully renovated in more than 40 years. New York City Parks estimates that without this funding, there would still be no trees planted in St. Vartan Park until at least 2030.

In cities and neighborhoods, trees are proven to help reduce high temperatures, mitigate stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health. Visit arborday.org to learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation’s work in communities and how to get involved.

About Verizon Communications 

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon’s world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit verizon.com or find a retail location at verizon.com/stores.

About the Arbor Day Foundation 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. They foster a growing community of more than 1 million leaders, innovators, planters, and supporters united by their bold belief that a more hopeful future can be shaped through the power of trees. For more than 50 years, they’ve answered critical need with action, planting more than half a billion trees alongside their partners.

And this is only the beginning.

The Arbor Day Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pursuing a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Learn more at arborday.org.

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On August 25, 2025, six employees from Monroe Drilling Operations, LLC were injured while plugging an orphan well in Independence Township, Washington County, Ohio. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), natural gas and crude oil unexpectedly surfaced, ignited, and caused an explosion.

Fire crews from Reno Volunteer Fire Department and six surrounding departments responded to the blaze deep within Wayne National Forest. Reaching the remote site required off-road vehicles and portable pumps to transport water. Although the fire was contained within an hour, plugging equipment and surrounding trees were damaged. Fortunately, there was no broader public risk.

The injured workers were transported to hospitals, with four airlifted to specialized facilities. ODNR’s Emergency Operations and Response team continues investigating.

Local fire chief Jon Bradford noted that while orphan wells are common in the region, this was the first explosion his team had encountered. He stressed the need for additional training, equipment, and funding to better prepare emergency responders as Ohio accelerates its well plugging program.

Environmental advocates echoed these concerns. Jesse Velazquez of the Ohio Environmental Council called the incident “a sobering reminder” of the risks posed by the tens of thousands of uncapped wells across the state.

The Hazards of Plugging Orphan Wells 

Plugging orphan wells is essential to reduce methane emissions, protecting groundwater, and preventing surface spills. But the process carries significant risks, especially when well records are incomplete, or infrastructure is degraded. Common hazards include:

• Unexpected gas releases – Pressurized methane or volatile hydrocarbons can escape during plugging, creating fire and explosion risks.
• Hydrocarbon migration – Crude oil and brine may leak into surrounding soils or aquifers if barriers fail.
• Remote access challenges – Isolated sites can delay emergency response and limit firefighting or medical support.
• Aging infrastructure – Many orphan wells date back decades, with deteriorated casing and cement that complicate sealing efforts.

Best Practices for Safer Plugging Operations 

As federal and state orphan well programs expand, operators and regulators are advancing safety through:

• Comprehensive site assessments with gas monitoring and subsurface evaluations prior to mobilizing plugging equipment.
• Emergency preparedness planning, including joint drills with local fire departments.
• Monitoring technologies to detect gas migration or abnormal pressures early.
• Specialized training for plugging crews and first responders on well control and hazardous materials handling.
• Investments in equipment such as portable water supplies, PPE, and air monitoring equipment.

Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE) Preparedness 

Beyond technical hazards, robust HSE systems are essential for protecting workers and communities. Key elements include:

• Work Permits – A Permit to Work (PTW) System ensures risks are reviewed and controls in place before any task begins.
• Job Safety Analysis (JSA) – Breaking down tasks to identify hazards and establish safe procedures, updated daily.
• Hazard Identification (HazID) – Ongoing hazard spotting by supervisors and crews.
• Stop Work Authority (SWA) – Empowering workers to halt operations immediately if unsafe conditions arise.
• Management Support – Leadership commitment to safety resourcing, training, and digital systems that make processes efficient and effective.

A Permit to Work System in particular enhances accountability by requiring safety review before planning or execution. This structured approach helps prevent incidents like the Wayne National Forest explosion.

How Antea Group Supports Safer Well Site Operations 

At Antea Group, we partner with operators and regulators to bring real-time oversight, risk management, and documentation discipline to orphan well plugging projects. Our current scope includes:

• Health and Safety Oversight – Continuous air monitoring for Lower Explosive Limit (%LEL methane-calibrated), oxygen (O2), total volatile organic compounds (VOCs), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and carbon monoxide (CO) within work zones. Perimeter monitoring is conducted regularly, with additional hourly checks when sensitive receptors (e.g., schools, businesses) are nearby.
• Environmental Oversight – Ensuring compliance with best management practices, including silt fence maintenance, orderly sites, and proper waste containerization to ensure corrective measures are in place in an unsuspected release occurs.
• Work Scope Documentation – Recording daily activities such as depths achieved, casing pulled, cement volumes used, and plug intervals set, ensuring accountability, quality, and regulatory compliance.

By combining technical expertise, real-time monitoring, and structured documentation, Antea Group helps clients manage the complex health, safety, and environmental risks associated with plugging orphan wells. Our approach reduces uncertainty, builds trust with regulators and communities, and most importantly, helps protect the workers and environments where this critical work takes place.

If your organization is navigating orphan well plugging or other high-risk field operations, Antea Group can help ensure the work is done safely, responsibly, and with confidence.

Reach out to our team today! 

Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

Social media, e-commerce, AI powered solutions and digital marketing have been making a huge impact on Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants (IBCs) all over the world, with Latin America paving the way for business transformation. Laura Hiros, Sales Education Manager at Mary Kay Inc. for the Latin America region (LATAM) recently spoke at a major direct selling conference to showcase how millions of Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants have embraced a “phygital” strategy. Whether in-person or online, Laura and her team empower Mary Kay small business owners to expand their reach and engage with confidence in a new era of social connection.

To dive even deeper into this exciting transformation, we had the opportunity to interview Laura and gain insights into the new standards for blooming digital beauty, storytelling, and community engagement.

This year, you were a mainstage speaker at the Direct Selling University (DSU) in Miami (FL). Can you share with us about Mary Kay’s “Phygital” strategy in Latin America? 

• Mary Kay proudly operates in eight markets across the LATAM region, beginning its journey in Argentina, where for over 45 years, it has been empowering and enriching the lives of women with opportunity, beauty, and purpose.
• The “Empowering Mary Kay Entrepreneurs to Maximize Social Media” initiative launched in 2023 in Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and Uruguay, and in 2024, it expanded to Brazil.
• Phygital selling combines the personal touch of physical interactions – which is the hallmark of personalized service and attention our IBCs are known for – with the convenience, scale, and speed of digital channels.
• This includes leveraging social media and e-commerce platforms to reach wider audiences and nurture new relationships, reaching new customers where they are: in-person, online, or on-the-go and, using AI powered solutions, exclusive just for her, like the Mary Kay® Skin Analyzer app or the Mirror Me™ Virtual Try-On app that create seamless customer experiences with digital ordering, follow-ups, and loyalty programs.

Why is it important for the Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultants to embrace both physical and digital selling?

• “Phygital” provides more ways to connect with their customers and invites a new generation of consumers to experience our iconic Mary Kay brand and irresistible products.
• In today’s environment, our beauty entrepreneurs have the unique opportunity to expand their reach and meet customers where they are – online, on the phone, on social channels, or at home.
• It is a win-win: using multiple channels increases their visibility and allows potential customers to connect and communicate in the way they prefer most. Again, meeting consumers where they are helps break down barriers and build trust, which leads to more sales opportunities and relationship building.

Can you tell us about your most recent significant initiatives in the region? 

• Our “Mary Kay LATAM Social” Instagram page is exclusive for our IBCs. Education is key to fostering a sense of confidence on social media. Our page is a leading example of how we educate and empower entrepreneurs to navigate the digital world with confidence – using engaging video reels, inspiring stories, and practical tools. We share post examples that she can recreate in her own style and engage with her customers on her Mary Kay business channels.
• We’ve just launched our AI Foundation Finder, an intuitive technology designed to help consumers effortlessly find their foundation match, while empowering our IBCs to guide their customers in finding the right match – right from their phones! A first in the direct selling industry, this AI Foundation Finder uses advanced artificial intelligence to scan a customer’s face on their mobile phone and provide personalized shade recommendations in our flawless skin product portfolio in just seconds. An innovation which connects all the dots!
• Our IBCs are recognized in the direct selling industry and beyond, for mastering personal connection, storytelling, and community building. We are enriching this heritage with digital fluency and adaptive business strategies, equipping our Mary Kay entrepreneurs with the tools they need to feel as confident digitally as in-person. That’s the power of our Phygital strategy!

What is the digital and social media horizon for direct selling companies? 

• Shape the Future: Because when you blend high-tech with high-touch, you don’t just keep up with change – you shape it. I want to emphasize the importance of staying ahead of industry trends and continuously evolving business strategies.
• The Sky is The Limit: “Phygital” expands reach and opportunities inviting the next generation of direct sellers around the world who seek flexible selling options that align with their lives and priorities.
• Continuous Learning Creates Unstoppable Leaders: From mastering social selling and short-form video content to learning how to start organic engagement and connections with potential customers, the right education builds confidence and credibility. This is how brands can unlock the full potential of their independent sales force so that they can lead with confidence, connection, and innovation. Our Mary Kay IBCs are intentional business owners, and we want to be there for them at each step of their transformation journey.

Did You Know: 

• In 2025, Mary Kay was named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World^[1] by Euromonitor International for the third consecutive year, and the #1 Brand for Facial Make-up and Lip products in the LATAM region.
• Mary Kay Mexico has been honored in 2025 again with the prestigious Socially Responsible Company (Empresa Socialmente Responsible) award by the Mexican Center for Philanthropy (Cemefi) and ALIARSE por México – recognizing the company’s strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and its dedication to ethical, sustainable, and community-focused practices.
• Latin America is a vibrant region for women’s entrepreneurship and for our Mary Kay small business owners. We are present in eight LATAM markets, and 2025 marked Mary Kay’s 45^th anniversary in Argentina, 37^th in Mexico, and 27^th in Brazil.

****

About Mary Kay

One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich women’s lives. Learn more at marykayglobal.com. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on X.

# # #
 

^{[1] “Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2025 Edition, value sales at RSP, 2024 data”}

Southwire’s commitment to sustainability continues to grow with the construction of a new solar installation at our North Campus. The project will feature two solar arrays, including both solar roof and ground mount components, which will significantly contribute to our clean energy efforts.

Construction on the roof mount system began in August, while work on the ground mount system will commence in the fall. When complete, the combined arrays will provide a capacity of approximately 4 MWdc, which is expected to supply between 15 and 20 percent of the site’s electricity needs. Nearly 7,500 solar panels will be installed as part of this initiative, making it one of the largest renewable energy projects in the company’s history.

The project is expected to be completed in late 2025 or early 2026. In addition to providing clean energy, the ground space will be enhanced with pollinator-friendly landscaping, furthering Southwire’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

This installation is another example of how Southwire is advancing toward its sustainability goals while also supporting operations with cleaner, renewable energy.

To learn more about Southwire’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://southwire.com/sustainability. 

Originally published on Verite News

Twenty years after hurricanes Katrina and Rita made landfall, the Gulf South carries stories of strength, recovery and renewal. For Entergy, the mission has never been just about restoring power, it has been about rebuilding lives, supporting families, and helping communities prepare for the future. At the heart of this work is Entergy’s vision: “We Power Life.” From the earliest days of disaster response to long-term support in areas like education and housing, Entergy’s investments and partnerships across the region have transformed recovery into resilience and lasting prosperity.

For Entergy, rebuilding a better future post-storm meant investing in the next generation and the schools that shape them. Since Katrina, Entergy has contributed more than $30 million to education in Orleans Parish, working with partners like New Schools for New Orleans (NSNO) to ensure that students, teachers, and families have the tools they need to thrive. These grants have supported everything from technology upgrades and tutoring programs to teacher training and classroom resources, ultimately impacting more than 100,000 students. Such investments are designed to open doors, create opportunities, and give every child an opportunity to succeed. 

Prior to Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans public schools ranked as the second-lowest performing school district in Louisiana, which was the second-lowest performing state at the time.  Eighty-three percent of students in Orleans Parish attended failing schools 20 years ago, and today there are ZERO failing schools in Orleans Parish.  Entergy’s partners have been at the forefront, leading a transformation that is unprecedented among urban school districts, including New Schools for New Orleans, Teach for America, KIPP New Orleans, Posse, College Beyond, College Track, First Line Schools and Start the Adventures in Reading.  

“By co-funding solar infrastructure in schools, Entergy not only reduced energy costs but also turned sustainability into a teaching tool. It’s education and resilience all in one effort,” said Dana Peterson, CEO of New Schools for New Orleans.

Through partnerships with organizations like YouthForce NOLA, students are also receiving hands-on experience in internships, earning stipends, and gaining exposure to high-paying energy careers. For many graduates, it means leaving high school with more than just a diploma; it means stepping into a pathway to living-wage jobs and careers with long-term stability. As students thrive, so do the communities around them.

But strong schools require strong neighborhoods, and for Entergy, that meant helping families rebuild the foundations of home and community after Katrina, too. Entergy worked alongside organizations like SBP, Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together New Orleans and United Way of Southeast Louisiana to repair homes, stabilize neighborhoods, and reimagine what affordable, energy-efficient housing could look like. In fact, 1,300 single and multi-family homes were built for low and moderate-income families in the Greater New Orleans area post-Katrina.

“After Katrina, Entergy wasn’t just a utility; it was a lifeline,” said Michael Williamson, CEO of United Way SELA. “They funded and mobilized volunteers to repair schools, restore homes and stabilize neighborhoods.”

“So much of our work at United Way, especially since Katrina, has been supported by Entergy. We’ve seen what inequitable recoveries can look like; many don’t have resources,” added Williamson.

That continued commitment led to the creation of the HandsOn Entergy Volunteer Center, managed by United Way SELA, which remains a hub for community service and disaster response today. Thousands of volunteers have contributed to rebuilding efforts, underscoring the power of collective action in transforming communities. Entergy also continues to support families through initiatives like The Power to Care, which provides utility bill assistance for low-income seniors and residents with disabilities. By helping families avoid unexpected financial hardships, Entergy ensures that housing stability isn’t threatened by temporary crises.

Entergy’s commitment to its communities continues twenty years later. 

In 2024, United Way named Entergy the top “Most Generous Workplace” in Southeast Louisiana for the 10th consecutive year, acknowledging more than $1.1 million raised via employee and shareholder contributions in 2023, bolstered by dollar-for-dollar matches. And in 2024, Entergy employees contributed more than 21,000 hours of volunteer service valued at more than $700,000 in Orleans parish.

On the anniversary of Katrina last week, Aug. 29, United Way SELA and Rebuilding Together New Orleans, held their grand opening of The Resiliency Center. Entergy employees in New Orleans came together and participated in a citywide Day of Service with the organizations, helping to renovate five homes across the city, one in each city council district.

“The recovery this city has experienced would never have happened without Entergy’s support.”
Michael Williamson, CEO of United Way SELA.

From classrooms filled with new technology to neighborhoods restored through collaboration and care, Entergy’s story in education and housing is one of hope, resilience and renewal. 

Every student given the tools to succeed, every home rebuilt, and every family supported tells a larger story: when communities have the resources to recover, they gain the power to thrive.

To learn more, explore our series:  Powering Life: Recovery to Renewal

Community Resilience
Power of Hope

View original content here.

By Eric Best

There’s a precarious point in the life of many small businesses when they must grow or risk failure. For founders facing this position, a loan is a solution, but it may come with terms that bind their business.

That’s why a new kind of loan was the fix for Onigiri Kororin, the rice balls startup Yuta Katsuyama started as a school project that has brought the grab-and-go Japanese street food to dozens of Chicago neighborhoods, likely for the first time.

“The more you grow the business, the more money you need,” said Katsuyama, the cofounder and CEO of Onigiri Kororin. “It’s really difficult to balance the speed of your growth and take care of the cash flow at the same time.”

Last year, that infusion of about $210,000 was made possible through a Wells Fargo corporate grant to Allies for Community Business, a Chicago nonprofit that created financing with unique repayment terms fixed to a company’s revenue. It allowed Katsuyama to keep much-needed cash while he moved to a new production space and boost production.

This grant was among the first of a $20 million Open for Business Growth program designed for growth-ready small businesses that are on the “brink of expansion,” said Kimelyn Harris, head of small business growth philanthropy at Wells Fargo.

The program is primed to make a big impact locally by working with nonprofit lenders and investors to target businesses in their community with a proven track record of growth.

“This focus on growth-ready small businesses will drive job creation and help local economic development. Without this support, these businesses may remain stagnant,” Harris said. “In some cases, they may fail before they reach their full potential.”

Grants for small business communities

Lashon Burrell had a dream of having her own kitchen to cook up the Southern classics like shrimp and grits and crab cakes she learned in her grandparent’s East St. Louis home. Now, as the chef behind her catering company Cajun Café Chicago, she’s achieved that at The Hatchery, the same Chicago food and beverage startup incubator that helped launch Onigiri Kororin.

“Every day I get a chance to meet somebody new. Every day I get a chance to make somebody happy. Every day I get a chance to make sure people have great food that not only tastes good but looks good,” she said.

Burrell has turned to Allies for Community Business (A4CB) several times to support her small business journey. She graduated from A4CB’s Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab accelerator and received her first loan through A4CB, a community organization that benefited from Wells Fargo’s original Open for Business Fund. Most recently, Cajun Café Chicago was able to borrow $200,000 through A4CB’s revenue-based financing, which was supported by the Open for Business Growth program.

“So, when I take on larger events, I’m able to have the money to float those things, or to get the equipment or team that’s needed,” Burrell said.

Open for Business Growth works by giving grants to nonprofit organizations like Allies for Community Business. These organizations expand access to financial services and products in the communities they serve.

These grants allow organizations to invest in their relationships with local businesses by giving them advanced financial guidance through advisory services. This can be crucial for growing businesses navigating taxes, laws, and regulations, Harris said. As an example, Burrell turned to A4CB to break down the pros and cons of contracts.

“[Nonprofits] have their finger on the pulse of what’s happening in a local community. They know what businesses could benefit the most from new products, and we see a role for Wells Fargo to play in using philanthropy as a catalyst to seed innovation” Harris said.

Making new kinds of financing for small businesses

The goal of this initiative is not only to support small business expansion but also to accelerate innovation in financing solutions, specifically targeting the “missing middle,” where small businesses are too large for microloans yet too small to qualify for traditional financing

“We’re making grants to nonprofit lenders and community organizations to create greater access to capital and free up capacity so they can do more,” she said. “The goal is [for them to be able to] test and learn with little to no risk, which benefits growth-ready small businesses searching for solutions.”

One example of this innovation is the loan with revenue-based repayment offered by A4CB, which provides a flexible payback plan that ebbs and flows with the business and its needs. In other industries and markets, the Open for Business Growth program will lead to other types of capital and coaching.

“I’m so grateful for these nontraditional options. When you start a business, you don’t have that many options, but you need money to grow the business,” Katsuyama said. “It’s been amazing for us.”

Key takeaways

• Making loans easier to access: The $20 million Open for Business Growth initiative helps growing small businesses by making grants to local nonprofits that can then offer them innovative capital.
• A gap in business financing: Many of these businesses require more capital than micro-loans but may not qualify for traditional financing. The program targets this gap.
• Amplifying local impact: These grants amplify the impact nonprofits have in their communities and help them create new loan programs and other financial products tailored to the local small businesses they serve.
• Smarter small business philanthropy: Open for Business Growth builds on the impact of the Open for Business Fund, Wells Fargo’s $420 million program that boosted the small business community by working with community organizations.

To learn more, please visit Wells Fargo Stories.

Covia’s Ahuazotepec, Mexico, site exemplifies a strong commitment to environmental, social, and community responsibility, as demonstrated by its Community Action Plan. The facility’s outstanding programs have fostered partnerships and initiatives to enhance local biodiversity and conservation efforts. As part of a multi-year collaboration with the Zacatlán Municipal Government, the State Government of Puebla, the National Forestry Commission, and the Drinking Water Operating System, the site has donated 30,000 trees to local communities and participated in 60 reforestation events. Donating trees means a lot to the team at Planta Ahuazotepec, and we see the difference it makes in the community. For me, it’s a special way that we give back to help the environment and the people around us. 

-Andrea Camacho, Environmental Coordinator (Ahuazotepec)

For more information about Covia’s Corporate Responsibility efforts, please visit us today.