Tag: 3BL

Discover the magic of reading when you give a child their first storybook. Through FedEx Cares and United Way Mumbai’s “Let’s Read” project, children in marginalized communities in India are discovering the joy of reading and the power it has to shape their future. This initiative supports 900 children across three schools in India through storytelling, donated books, and a love for learning.

FedEx Cares volunteers visited underserved schools, gifted storybooks, and donated mini libraries to promote literacy. This is the story of imagination, hope, and empowerment through reading.

FedEx Cares is how we give back to the communities we serve around the world. From donating shipping to volunteering our time and skills, we are all about making a difference. Watch how reading inspires confidence and creativity!

The story doesn’t end here, see how FedEx is making a difference in other communities around the world: https://fedexcares.com/

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

HAMILTON, Bermuda, October 8, 2025 /3BL/ – Bacardi Limited is proud to once again land a spot on the Forbes’ list of the ‘World’s Best Employers 2025’ — proving that great people and a great culture never go out of style. The family-owned company is a repeat show on the global list which is based on more than 300,000 independent surveys conducted in more than 50 countries. Participants were asked whether they would recommend a company to family or friends, and to rate it based on such criteria as workplace environment, salary, and other key criteria. Bacardi, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, earned the highest ranking of pure spirits companies coming in at #86.  

“Being recognized again by Forbes among the World’s Top Employers is a true testament to our culture and the dedication of our teams around the world. At the heart of our success is a deep commitment to our people — fostering a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to grow,” says Dave Ingram, Chief People Officer at Bacardi Limited. “We’re proud of this achievement and even more proud of the people who make it possible.”

As a seventh-generation family-owned company, Bacardi is deeply committed to building the next generation of leaders — a key to sustaining its legacy for years to come. With talent development programs designed for every stage of a career, Bacardi equips its people with the tools to grow, lead, and help fulfill the business potential and performance. The company also fosters connection and brand passion through hands-on mixology sessions, product stipends, and immersive training that brings the heritage, craftsmanship, and sustainability of its iconic brands to life. 

At Bacardi, employees are empowered through a wide range of programs that foster belonging, support wellbeing, and fuel both personal and professional growth. From mindfulness sessions and fitness initiatives to open conversations around mental health and free access to wellness resources and support apps, Bacardi is committed to helping its people thrive — inside and outside of work. That commitment shows in the numbers, with a standout 91% participation rate in the company’s most recent employee engagement survey — a clear sign of strong connection and high engagement across the business

Bacardi has been often recognition for its workplace and culture, including ranking #18 in the 2024 World’s Best Workplaces™ presented by Great Place To Work® and  making repeat appearances on the Forbes World’s Top Companies for Women. 

This year’s annual ranking of Forbes’ World’s Best Employers included 900 companies, making this the largest list Forbes has released in this awards program. Read more on Forbes.

About Bacardi Limited

Bacardi Limited, the world’s largest privately held international spirits company, produces, markets, and distributes spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDÍ® rum, PATRÓN® tequila, GREY GOOSE® vodka, DEWAR’S® Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® gin, MARTINI® vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES® 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including D’USSÉ® Cognac, ANGEL’S ENVY® American straight whiskey, and ST-GERMAIN® elderflower liqueur. Founded more than 162 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 8,000, operates production facilities in 10 countries and territories, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.

Media Contact:
Jessica Merz, VP Global Corporate Communications
jmerz@bacardi.com

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

In August, Aflac launched the Check for Cancer movement to turn the familiar checkered pattern into a powerful reminder to get checked for cancer. To help drive that point on their home turf and in the local community, Aflac hosted kids from Columbus High School, in Columbus, Georgia, to help color the headquarters walkway in a checkered pattern, serving as a bold reminder for employees to schedule their annual screenings.

An estimated 1 in 3 Americans are at risk of being diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.¹ That’s a staggering number, but if caught early, the chances of survival can exceed more than 90% in some cancers.² It’s why getting checked early and educating people about the benefits of being proactive are so important. And, when cancer is caught early, treatment is often less intensive and less costly — a benefit for individuals, employers and the broader health care system.

With a mission to increase screenings by 10% over 10 years, Aflac’s Check for Cancer campaign also reflects the company’s long-standing commitment to supporting policyholders before, during and beyond a diagnosis by helping shift the focus from reaction to prevention. As a pioneer in cancer insurance, Aflac helps millions of Americans with financial burdens that are often experienced when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer.

Check for Cancer is a movement, not a moment, and the momentum continues with you. Awareness leads to action, and action begins with us. Here are a couple of ways you can take action and help keep the conversation going:

• Get checked. Keep an eye out for the checkered patterns — the reminders are everywhere — and let them serve as a prompt for you to schedule your routine health screenings and encourage loved ones to do the same.
• Use your voice. Got a cute checkered top or love a good game of chess? Post photos of checkered patters on social media using #CheckForCancer and tag @Aflac. For every mention, Aflac will donate $5 to support childhood cancer care and research, up to $1 million.

To learn more, visit Aflac.com/CheckForCancer.

¹ American Cancer Society. “Cancer Information and Resources.” https://www.cancer.org. Accessed August 15, 2025.

² American Cancer Society. “Cancer Facts and Figures 2025.” https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/annual-cancer-facts-and-figures/2025/2025-cancer-facts-and-figures-acs.pdf. Accessed Aug. 15, 2025.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a solicitation for insurance.

Aflac | Aflac New York | WWHQ 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

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Published by Las Vegas Sands on October 7, 2025

October 8, 2025 /3BL/ – The WASH Foundation, a global leader in water, sanitation, hygiene, and education, and Sands have announced 2025 Drop by Drop Project grant recipients: the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macao for support of its Green Shields mangrove restoration initiative and Conservation International (CI) Singapore for support of its Youth in Nature environmental education program.

The Drop by Drop Project is a collaboration between The WASH Foundation and Sands to invest in innovative water stewardship projects in Macao and Singapore. Since its inception in 2019, the program has supported local champions in advancing water conservation, ecosystem restoration, and community engagement programs.

Both USJ and CI Singapore are previous Drop by Drop Project grant recipients with a strong record of research, education, and community engagement. USJ has successfully led large-scale community mangrove restoration in Macao, while CI has advanced youth-led water conservation and environmental education through its 10 for Zero initiative in Singapore. Both organizations will build on their previous impact with the new 2025 grant projects that are already underway.

The University of Saint Joseph’s Green Shields Project

USJ’s Institute of Science and Environment is leading the Green Shields project, which focuses on restoring and protecting mangrove habitats in Macao. By leveraging mangroves as a nature-based solution, the initiative aims to strengthen natural defenses against flooding, improve water quality, and foster biodiversity. The project also includes community education and citizen science activities to empower Macao residents as environmental stewards.

Conservation International Singapore’s Youth in Nature Program

CI Singapore’s Youth in Nature program is designed to inspire and equip young people to become champions for water stewardship and biodiversity. Through immersive educational experiences and hands-on activities, such as responsible catch-and-release fishing, seafood heritage market tours, and fishball-making workshops, the program fosters a deeper appreciation for Singapore’s natural resources and encourages responsible environmental action among youth, including at-risk youth within the community.

“The Drop by Drop Project demonstrates the power of partnership in advancing water stewardship and environmental sustainability,” said Steffani Fields, executive director at The WASH Foundation. “We are honored to support both the University of Saint Joseph and Conservation International Singapore as they lead innovative, community-driven initiatives that improve health and transform lives. These two organizations stand as pillars of global stewardship, protecting precious water resources while building a better future for people and planet alike.”

“Through The Drop by Drop Project, we empower innovative programs that protect natural ecosystems and educate about conservation practices in our communities, and these long-term partners have demonstrated they are leaders in both areas,” Katarina Tesarova, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer at Sands, said. “We have been impressed with their accomplishments in previous Drop by Drop Project grant programs and are excited to see how these new initiatives will bring positive impact to Macao and Singapore.”

For more information on The Drop by Drop Project, please visit: https://thewashfoundation.org/dropbydrop/

ATLANTA, October 8, 2025 /3BL/ -Drawdown Georgia today announced the release of a brand-new resource designed to help Georgians bring climate solutions home. The new toolkit, titled How to Take Climate Action in Your Georgia Community, offers a practical roadmap for neighbors, advocates, and local leaders to scale climate solutions where they live.

Written by Maurice Carter, president and co-founder of Sustainable Newton, the toolkit distills lessons from years of grassroots organizing in Georgia communities. Sustainable Newton is a volunteer-led nonprofit in Newton County dedicated to raising awareness and enabling climate action at the local level.

The toolkit provides:

• Guidance on starting and sustaining local climate action groups
• Strategies for connecting with neighbors and building momentum through conversation
• Resources and inspiration to help communities identify the most impactful areas for action
• Tips for working with local governments and identifying champions for climate action
• Funding pathways and partnership ideas for community projectsRecommendations for how to measure progress, including the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trackers

“Collaborating with my friends and neighbors to help advance climate solutions in our community has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life,” said Maurice Carter. “This toolkit is about helping others discover the same sense of community, hopefulness, and purpose that has propelled us forward. We want every Georgian to see themselves as a leader in bringing solutions home, because together, we can create a healthier, more resilient future for our communities.”

The How to Take Climate Action in Your Georgia Community toolkit is available for free on the Drawdown Georgia website.

About Drawdown Georgia

Drawdown Georgia is a statewide research-based initiative launched in 2020 that was born from a multi-university collaboration, funded by the Ray C. Anderson Foundation. Taking inspiration from Project Drawdown®, the world’s leading resource for taking action on climate change, Drawdown Georgia localized that work by identifying the 20 highest-impact solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our state over the next decade.

This framework focuses on climate solutions in five sectors: transportation, buildings & materials, food & agriculture, electricity, and land sinks. It considers how these solutions can reduce emissions and advance “beyond carbon” priorities, including equity, economic development, public health, and nurturing the larger environment.

Drawdown Georgia has grown into a “leader-full” movement, bringing together many organizations, universities, companies, leaders, and funders who are working to advance climate solutions in Georgia, including Drawdown Georgia Research, the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact, Drawdown Georgia Congregations, and Drawdown Georgia Higher Education. Learn more at drawdownga.org.

Read the 2025 Wesco Sustainability Report here

Our Commitment to Belonging

We aim to foster a sense of individual and group belonging by:

• Leveraging the unique experiences, backgrounds and perspectives of our talented workforce to support Wesco’s mission.
• Engaging employees and building an inclusive culture, and supporting the communities in which we operate.

We are committed to creating an environment where every employee feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their best.

Our Business Resource Groups (BRGs)

Wesco’s BRGs exist to support a culture of inclusion where employees can thrive and strengthen our culture by offering different perspectives, styles, thoughts and ideas. These groups are offered globally and are open to all employees regardless of any aspect of their personal identity. BRG’s support the following:

• Building an inclusive culture and positively impacting employee engagement
• Assisting with the creation and maintenance of a pipeline of talent for the company
• Providing informal mentoring and professional development opportunities for Wesco employees
• Identifying opportunities for adding value and growing Wesco’s business through community engagement
• Creating an open forum for the exchange of ideas
• Engaging with suppliers, customers and industry groups to share best practices, partner on initiatives, advance the industry and to drive business growth

We continue to evolve our BRGs to support the goals of the company. Feedback from our BRGs provides valuable business insights, aiding our ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and respectful workplace culture at Wesco.

• ABLE – Employees with disabilities and allies
• MOSAIC – Black, Latino, Indigenous, people of color, employees and allies
• PRIDE – Equitable empowerment of the LGBTQ+ community and allies and promotes a safe, friendly environment for all
• WIN – Women in our organization and allies
• VOLT – The engagement of employees serving in the military, veterans and allies
• SPARK – Employees in their early careers, allies and wider stakeholders that empower the expansion of professional horizons

Talent Acquisition

At Wesco, we believe that attracting the right talent is critical to our success. In 2024, we continued the evolution of our recruitment processes, partnerships and outreaches, focusing on attracting a workforce with a wealth of ideas, talents, skills, backgrounds and perspectives to our organization.

We automated and optimized processes to enhance the experience for all candidates with an emphasis on speed and communication. We enabled our hiring managers by continuing to improve our sourcing and screening processes to present the most qualified candidates from a range of sources. We continue to develop our talent acquisition team through a variety of internal and external training offerings to build their skills in sourcing and attracting candidates.

Key Talent Management Achievements in 2024

Recruitment Process Optimization: We completed a variety of improvement initiatives to create standardization, consistency and efficiency across several recruitment processes including assessment usage, pay transparency in job postings, evergreen requisitions (a pool of candidates to fill multiple job openings), internal mobility, automated candidate correspondence and more.

Interview and Selection Training Program: We launched a new interview and selection training course for hiring managers to enhance the knowledge and skills of this critical component of a manager’s responsibilities. The training program features an online component followed by a facilitator-led session to reinforce key concepts and to practice interviewing skills.

Enhanced Analytics: We launched a new initiative to automate key talent acquisition reporting dashboards to enable real time access to data, improving our ability to monitor and act on critical steps in the hiring process.

Improved Commitment to sourcing from multiple channels: Our talent acquisition team works with organizations like RecruitMilitary, Out & Equal, the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program and Military Spouse Employment Partnership to ensure we source candidates from multiple channels.

An Enhanced Onboarding Experience

The onboarding experience is a critical first step in an employee’s journey with Wesco. We are committed to ensuring that all new employees feel welcomed, supported and set up for success from day one.

We recognize that onboarding is more than just paperwork, it’s about immersing new hires into the Wesco way of working and giving them the tools they need to be successful. Over the last few years, we’ve invested in building and enhancing our onboarding programs to help new associates acclimate to our organization.

Investments in Our Future

Continuous learning and development are essential to building a high-performing workforce. In 2024, we invested in expanding our Learning and Development (L&D) solutions, introducing more than 5,800 new learning opportunities into our existing offerings.

We also successfully delivered a total of 172,175 hours of training (including safety training) to employees across the globe, at an average rate of 8.4 training hours per employee. These efforts are designed to equip our employees with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to excel in their roles and contribute to Wesco’s ongoing success. Our L&D initiatives are aligned with our broader business strategy, ensuring that employees at all levels are provided with opportunities for professional growth.

Key Focus Areas:

Talent Development: Our seasoned L&D professionals have the deep expertise in adult learning and instructional design needed to create engaging, high-impact training experiences.

Process Improvements: We continuously evaluate and evolve our ways of working to ensure quality, efficient and effective results.

Technology Enhancements: We introduced new digital platforms and tools to support learning, making it easier for employees to access training programs and track their progress.

Strategic Alignment: We aligned our L&D priorities with Wesco’s business goals, focusing on the following:

• Sales/commercial upskilling
• Digital transformation
• Operational excellence
• Leadership development

In addition to our internal training programs, we provide employees with access to external training resources through partnerships with organizations such as the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED). This allows employees to enhance their skills and knowledge by participating in industry-recognized training programs and certifications.

To learn more, download the 2025 Wesco Sustainability Report here.

About This Report

Unless otherwise stated, this report covers activities, data and initiatives from our fiscal year 2024.

ESG Disclosure and Framework Alignment

The topics covered in this report include those that we have determined to be material for our business and stakeholders as noted on page 10. Wesco aligns with several ESG frameworks and disclosures in support of our commitment to transparency and our fulfillment
of stakeholder needs and expectations. We leverage the following frameworks and standards to provide robust ESG information disclosure:

• Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): GRI offers a list of global standards and guidelines around sustainability reporting.
• Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB): SASB provides a comprehensive set of industry-specific disclosure topics and guidelines.
• International Financial Reporting Standards (Climate-related disclosures, IFRS S2) which incorporates the now decommissioned Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD): IFRS provides disclosure recommendations on thematic ESG topics such as governance, strategy, risk management, metrics and targets to provide stakeholders with fuller information surrounding climate risks.
• CDP: Formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project, CDP is
  an international organization that helps companies and cities measure and disclose important environmental impact information through an annual questionnaire and rating system.
• United Nations Global Compact (UNGC): UNGC is an initiative that aims to help businesses align their strategies and work toward the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals.
• United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs): U.N. SDGs provide a shared set of 17 goals toward peace and prosperity for people and planet goals and create a call to action by all countries in a global partnership

We also regularly engage with our investors, employees, customers, regulators, ratings agencies and others on ESG and business issues. Additional information about Wesco can be found in our public financial filings— including our annual report and proxy filings—as well as on the Security and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov or on the Investors page of our website at Wesco.com.

Wesco plans to continue to report annually as we monitor, measure and deepen our ESG initiatives and disclosures.

Wesco endorses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. We have prioritized the following five goals: Good Health and Well Being, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Responsible Consumption and Production.

More information about our SDG aligned initiatives is included throughout this report.

Assurance

We did not seek third-party assurance for this report; however, we will consider doing so for future reporting. The information and data contained in this report was vetted by internal subject matter experts on the various ESG topics included in this report.

Contact Us

We welcome feedback on our ESG initiatives and reporting. We invite you to contact us directly via email at Sustainability@Wescodist.com.

 

More than 300 women across the Capital Region celebrated the 20-year anniversary of Key4Women during the Annual Key4Women Forum at the Marriott on Wolf Road in Albany. Long-time E! News personality, fashion designer and bestselling author Giuliana Rancic served as the event’s special guest.

Rancic’s message was one of empowerment: “Everything you need to be successful is right here. Within you. But you have to work. There are no shortcuts.”

Rancic also talked about her struggle with breast cancer. “You have no idea how strong you are until you have no choice but to be strong,” she said, saying that lesson also applies to professional challenges.

Key4Women, officially launched in 2005 after piloting in Albany, supports women in business in meeting their professional and financial goals through advocacy, connections and empowerment. Two decades later, the program has grown into a dynamic community of more than 11,000 members across 27 markets in 14 states and even internationally.

“The Capital Region is the birthplace of the Key4Women program, and it’s wonderful to see so many people look forward to this annual forum,” said Rachael Sampson, national director of Key4Women. “It’s truly an inspiring morning allowing women to meet, network and learn from others across various industries. We’re so proud to host an event designed to help women thrive in their careers and personal lives.”

Another highlight of the Annual Key4Women Forum is the presentation of the Achieve Award. The 2025 recipient was Social Enterprise and Training Center (SEAT) Founder and CEO Jennifer Lawrence. SEAT connects young people to meaningful work through transformative educational and workforce experiences that create a sense of purpose and hope.

Key4Women’s charitable partner for the 2025 Key4Women Forum was ToLife!, a nonprofit serving all those affected by a breast cancer diagnosis in the greater Capital Region. Key4Women presented a $2,500 check to ToLife!. In addition, Key4Women donated $2,000 to SEAT.

Key4Women is free to Key clients and can be joined by visiting www.key.com/women. On the site, members can find business tips on such topics as SBA lending, marketing and business development, Human Resources and Information Technology.

# # #

 

Data centers operate around the clock, consuming significant amounts of electricity and water for heat management and cooling needs. As rising demand for artificial intelligence (AI), high-powered computing, and crypto mining drives data center growth globally, we must find more efficient and sustainable cooling solutions. Traditionally, these facilities have relied on air- and water-cooling. Chemours’ Liquid Cooling Venture, which leverages more than 90 years of expertise in thermal management, is working alongside industry leaders to drive sustainable innovation forward as it provides a comprehensive portfolio of data center cooling solutions.

Data center operators are working to drive down energy and water consumption to advance sustainability in their facilities and decrease costs. Liquid cooling technology—such as Chemours’ Opteon™ two-phase immersion cooling fluid—is helping lower water and energy consumption, as well as CO₂ emissions when compared to traditional air-cooled systems. The technology enables data centers to reduce their cooling energy usage by up to 90%, their total cost of ownership by up to 40% and their physical footprint by up to 60%, and nearly eliminates water use. Additionally, Chemours’ liquid cooling solutions support circularity—enabling heat and fluids to be easily recovered and reused to drive further efficiency and sustainability benefits.

Optimizing Resource Efficiency 

LiquidStack—a liquid cooling company—and Chemours commissioned a study from Syska Hennessy Group to examine the efficiency and climate adaptability of data center cooling technologies. The study examined different cooling technologies, such as single-phase direct-to-chip, single-phase immersion cooling, and two-phase immersion cooling, in a range of climates worldwide, including Copenhagen, Ashburn, Virginia, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi. A total cost of ownership (TCO) tool was developed to analyze impacts of energy, water, and costs. Two-phase immersion cooling emerged as the optimal solution, offering the best energy efficiency, water usage effectiveness, and the lowest total cost of ownership.

Learn more about how two-phase immersion cooling works or read the full case study.
 

^{[3] A New Standard for Data Center Energy Efficiency Infographic}

The Chemours Company is a global chemistry company with a vision to deliver Trusted Chemistry that makes people’s lives better and helps communities thrive. Read more in Chemours’ latest Sustainability Report.

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), in partnership with MSU AgBioResearch (ABR), has joined forces with CNH brand, Case IH, to elevate agricultural research and learning. 

Through this strategic alliance, Case IH is offering Michigan State University affordable access to a fleet of high-performance tractors, which are now actively supporting operations across campus farms and research facilities.

These advanced machines are playing a pivotal role in both daily maintenance and scientific exploration at MSU:

At the Hancock Turfgrass Research Center, the Farmall 55C is instrumental in turf management tasks such as topdressing, grading, and fertilizing. It also aids in excavation and handling growth media, contributing to the center’s mission of advancing turfgrass science.

The Farmall 75C, located at the Plant Pathology Field Laboratory and South Campus Landscape Maintenance, is the primary mowing tractor for vineyards, orchards, nurseries, and right-of-way areas -ensuring these research zones remain accessible and well-kept.

The Magnum 200 supports a wide range of programs at the Horticulture Teaching and Research Center and the Crop and Soil Sciences Agronomy Farm, including breeding trials for soybeans, wheat, maize, and potatoes, as well as studies in weed science, soil fertility, and crop pathology. It also contributes to operations at the Mason Research Farm and Plant Pathology Farm.

“We deeply appreciate Case IH’s support for our plant science research efforts on south campus,” said Mike Particka, Agronomy and Mason Farm Manager.

Expanding Impact Beyond Campus

Off-campus, the Magnum 340 has become a cornerstone of operations at the Kellogg Biological Station (KBS). Its powerful hydraulic system enables efficient use of hay baling and wrapping equipment, while its strength supports key activities for the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) and Great Lakes BioEnergy Research Center (GLBRC). From hauling grain carts to manure tankers and performing tillage, the Magnum 340 is vital to MSU’s agroecological research.

At the Trevor Nicholes Research and Extension Center, the Farmall 110N plays a central role in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). It ensures precise application of plant protectants across apple orchards, blueberry fields, and grape vines. The tractor also supports pest control studies -such as those targeting the Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) – and contributes to IR4 research, which evaluates plant protectants for crops not yet covered by existing labels, helping expand their use and improve crop protection.

An additional Farmall 110 is also in operation at the West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center (WCMREC) in Hart, Michigan.

Whirlpool Foundation recently joined community and state officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of “Project T,” a transformative redevelopment initiative in Benton Harbor, Michigan, also home to Whirlpool Corporation’s global headquarters. This initiative, a public-private partnership, will redevelop the site of the former Mercy Hospital to construct 14 duplex buildings, marking Phase 1 of a project that will deliver up to 77 new homes when complete and will help revitalize a Benton Harbor neighborhood.

“Project T” is a collaborative effort, developed in partnership by Renovare Development and Harbor Habitat for Humanity, with support from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), the Michigan Growth Office, the City of Benton Harbor, and Whirlpool Foundation. A Whirlpool Foundation grant, combined with local tax programs and funding from MSHDA, has been instrumental in making this project a reality.

“Whirlpool Corporation has called Benton Harbor home for more than a century, and our investment in this project reflects our belief in this community’s future,” said Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. “By supporting sustainable design and attainable homeownership, we’re helping create opportunities for families and ensure thriving neighborhoods for the long term.”

Phase 1 will include 28 two- and three-bedroom homes designed for families earning 60–120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Six of the homes will be built to Zero Energy Ready standards, with planning supported by Whirlpool Corporation’s sustainability team, integrating sustainable features throughout the site. This comprehensive approach, combined with specialty mortgage products, down payment assistance, and grants, is designed to empower families to build equity, strengthen stability, and, in the long term, create generational wealth.

Phase 2 will introduce 39 rental units, anchored by a childcare center. This holistic vision for the campus ensures that families not only have access to quality housing but also the essential support systems needed to thrive.

In addition to supporting the community of its global headquarters, Whirlpool Corporation has more than a quarter century relationship with Habitat for Humanity International, and Bitzer was elected to serve on Habitat’s board earlier this year. 

For more information on Project T, please visit projecttbentonharbor.com. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation’s support of Habitat for Humanity, visit whirlpoolcorp.com/hfh.

Whirlpool Foundation
Since 1952, the Whirlpool Foundation has been making real, positive differences in local communities where Whirlpool Corporation families live and work. This is accomplished through two central pillars: House+Home. “House” supports a decent and affordable place to live and plan for the future, and “Home” focuses on creating thriving, resilient communities with the essential services, quality education, and job training needed to help people dream bigger and do better. The Foundation has an absolute commitment to equality and fairness and takes an innovative approach to social investing that prioritizes impact with measurable results.
 

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