Tag: 3BL

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.

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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.
 

View original content here.

October 7, 2025 /3BL/ – Novata, a leading sustainability data management platform for private markets, today announced the acquisition of Atlas Metrics, a top European sustainability performance and reporting platform.

This strategic move expands Novata’s global reach and unites two complementary companies to meet the growing demand from investors and corporates for trusted, efficient, and scalable sustainability data solutions.

Together, Novata and Atlas Metrics now supports more than 400 clients and 13K+ companies worldwide, equipping investors, banks, and corporates with the tools they need to collect, report, and act on sustainability data.

Since its founding in 2021, Atlas Metrics has become a market leader across Europe, serving hundreds of banks and a broad range of venture capital firms. Its award-winning technology combines scalable architecture with intuitive workflows and AI-driven insights to simplify sustainability reporting and risk identification. With Atlas Metrics, Novata strengthens its European presence, deepens partnerships with financial institutions, and accelerates product innovation for clients globally.

“This acquisition is an important step toward building the global leader in sustainability management,” said Alex Friedman, CEO & Co-Founder of Novata. “By welcoming Atlas Metrics into the Novata family, we’re delivering on our mission to transform sustainability data into business resilience. Together, we have the scale, technology, and global expertise to help companies and investors turn ESG data management, regulatory readiness, and benchmarking into drivers of long-term value creation.”

As sustainability expectations evolve and the marketplace consolidates, organizations are seeking market-leading partners with proven technology and global expertise who will be around for the long-term. To support this next phase of growth, Novata recently completed an additional fundraise, underscoring strong market confidence in its mission and momentum. The round was led by S&P Global, with participation from Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE), Motive Ventures, The Ford Foundation, and Novata co-founders Alex Friedman and Josh Green.

“From the start, we saw a natural alignment with Novata, both in mission and in culture,” said Wladimir Nikoluk, CEO of Atlas Metrics. “Atlas Metrics has always believed that sustainability management should be simple, scalable, and rooted in technology. Joining Novata lets us deliver on that belief at global scale, giving our clients across and beyond Europe the innovation, efficiency, and trust they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving sustainability landscape.”

The integration of Atlas Metrics’ technology and Novata’s platform simplifies sustainability management and unlocks long-term value for companies and investors alike. With teams now in New York, London, Berlin, and Singapore, supported by a strong balance sheet and world-class partners, Novata combines local expertise with global scale, giving clients the perspective and connectivity they need to manage complexity across markets.

For more information about the announcement, visit Novata’s website.

About Novata

Novata is the private markets’ sustainability management partner. We empower tens of thousands of companies to achieve their sustainability goals with our trusted data management platform and advisory practice—because it’s good for business and it’s good for the planet. Learn more at www.novata.com.

About Atlas Metrics

Atlas Metrics is a leading all-in-one platform for non-financial performance. Atlas helps over 3,000 banks, companies and investors measure, communicate, and amplify their impact with automations, AI, secure data sharing, and advanced analytics. Learn more at www.atlasmetrics.io.

Contacts

Katie Stueber, Novata
press@novata.com

Lauren Maupetit, Atlas Metrics
press@atlasmetrics.io

Published by Las Vegas Sands on October 4, 2025

October 7, 2025 /3BL/ – Sands and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) have awarded $5,000 scholarships to 10 students at HACU-member schools, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and University of North Texas (UNT), to support their preparation for careers in the hospitality industry.

Sands Hospitality Advancement Scholarships provided through HACU, the only national association representing Hispanic-serving institutions, represent Sands’ commitment to building a thriving hospitality industry workforce.

UNLV and UNT students who are majoring in hospitality or are interested in a career in the industry and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 were eligible to apply for the scholarship.

“HACU’s partnership with Sands providing scholarships for students working toward careers in the hospitality industry has proven to be a great success in supporting their aspirations,” HACU Interim CEO David Mendez said. “These scholarships pave the way to success for students in their educational pursuits toward their future careers and give potential employers an educated, well-prepared workforce.”

Sands’ engagement with HACU for hospitality scholarships is one of the company’s many hospitality education initiatives, which include the Sands Hospitality Scholarship Program in Singapore, the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program in Las Vegas, the University of North Texas Las Vegas Study Tour, contributions to higher education institutions in Macao, on-property and industry-supported training opportunities for students and hospitality professionals, and mentorship and instruction from company leaders.

“We provide students with financial resources for their hospitality studies to empower their success, as well as ensure our industry has strength, depth and diversity in talent for the future,” Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs, said. “We wish our recipients a successful semester and a future that is ripe with the opportunities our multifaceted industry can bring.”

Sands’ focus on hospitality education is a core component of its 2021-2025 ambition to invest $200 million in workforce development, which the company surpassed a year early at the end of 2024.

“Though our workforce development target was met, the commitment is continuous, and supporting hospitality education in our regions and corporate headquarters is a top priority,” Reese added.

To learn more about Sands’ workforce development and hospitality education initiatives, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/.

To learn more about Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, visit https://www.hacu.net.

Sustainability isn’t a destination. It’s a journey of continuous improvement.

That’s why we created the Higg Brand & Retail Module (Higg BRM): to help brands and retailers track their progress, set goals, and make data-driven decisions that matter. And for Cascale members, there’s an even bigger advantage: exclusive access to our Higg BRM Benchmark.

Now in its third year, the Higg BRM Benchmark is available through our Member Analytics Portal (MAP). It’s not just another set of numbers — it’s a powerful tool to see where your company stands, how you measure up against industry peers, and further refine your roadmap. With benchmarking, we don’t just want you to ask “how are we doing?” — we encourage you to ask “how do we lead?”

Developed by Cascale, Higg BRM benchmarking complements our existing Higg BRM assessment by providing:

• Comprehensive analysis of your ESG performance across Environmental, Social, and Governance pillars
• Aggregated peer comparisons to better understand where your organization stands
• Data-driven insights to highlight critical areas for improvement
• Year-over-year performance to demonstrate progress and identify opportunities

When you stack your Higg BRM scores against peers and industry leaders, the data tells a compelling story. By comparing Higg BRM scores with other companies and industry leaders, brands can take their ESG analysis to the next level to make more informed decisions. If your organization falls below the industry average, benchmarking highlights where you can make the case for greater resources and improvements. If you’re ahead of your peers, it provides the evidence you need to safeguard budgets and showcase your leadership. With these insights, you can sharpen priorities, track real progress, and make data-driven decisions that strengthen both performance and credibility.

The Value of Higg BRM Benchmarking

We acknowledge the challenge of translating data into action. We designed the benchmarking feature to provide data insights that can be shared among internal teams and leadership in order to foster conversations, determine resource allocation, identify critical hotspots, and further develop a roadmap derived from a comprehensive view of your company’s sustainability efforts.

We understand that no two companies are on the same journey, so all use cases will look different — but every organization needs to evaluate where they’re at to understand where they’re going. That’s the power of benchmarking. Benchmarking is available to all Cascale members who complete the Higg BRM according to our membership requirements timeline, giving you the tools to track progress, learn from peers, and accelerate your sustainability journey year after year.

How Can Benchmarking Elevate Your Performance? 

The benchmark transforms numbers into a narrative your teams and leaders can act on, helping you:

• Share actionable insights with internal teams and leadership
• Make smarter decisions about resource allocation
• Identify critical hotspots in Environmental, Social, and Governance practices
• Develop a detailed roadmap from year-over-year performance trends

By leveraging Higg BRM benchmarking, you can turn insights into action, drive continuous improvement, and stay ahead in your sustainability journey.

As sustainability expectations, regulations, and priorities continue to evolve, one thing remains clear: guesswork won’t get you far. You need data-driven insights to make informed decisions. Our benchmarking gives you the clarity and confidence to lead with purpose and take action that drives real impact.

Higg BRM Benchmarking Learning Session 

We recently hosted a webinar for our Brand and Retailer members to dive deeper into benchmarking benefits and use cases. For deeper discussion and insights, Cascale members can visit Cascale Connect.

Verizon

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., October 7, 2025 /3BL/ – One year after Hurricane Helene’s devastation, Verizon announced it is erasing an additional $5 million in consumer debt for thousands of North Carolinians still rebuilding their lives. This second round of relief, which Verizon is implementing through a partnership with ForgiveCo, brings the company’s total debt relief for the region to $15 million.

To bring widespread attention to the ongoing recovery needs of the community, Verizon partnered with the University of North Carolina and Hall of Fame Coach Roy Williams to make the announcement during the UNC-Clemson Football game at Kenan Stadium Saturday.

This announcement follows Verizon’s initial commitment in January 2025, where the company cleared $10 million in debt for 6,500 families across Western North Carolina. This new effort underscores Verizon’s sustained promise to stand with the community, providing critical financial relief long after the initial storm response.

“When we first announced our support in January, we made a promise that we would continue to stand with Western North Carolina through its recovery. We are still here, and we are fulfilling that promise,” said Verizon Atlantic South Market President, Leigh Anne Lanier. “The path to rebuilding is a marathon, not a sprint. We hope that by lifting this financial burden, we can provide families with the breathing room they need to move forward and continue building a resilient future.”

“Recovery in western North Carolina is a team sport, and I am grateful to Verizon and Coach Williams for their continued commitment,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This relief will help more western North Carolinians get back on their feet after Helene.”

For Coach Williams, a Western North Carolina native who personally called families to announce the initial debt relief, this second wave of support represents a true commitment to his neighbors and friends.

“A year ago, I saw firsthand how Hurricane Helene devastated such a large portion of our state. People lost everything, and the path to recovery felt impossible. Verizon’s initial help was a blessing, but this second round of support demonstrates a level of commitment that is equally commendable. It gives people a new sense of hope and the chance to rebuild their lives and communities,” Williams said. “I’m proud to be a part of this effort, and I want to thank Verizon for showing what it truly means to stand by neighbors in their time of need.”

The debt relief will be implemented by ForgiveCo, which purchases and abolishes applicable debt for those in need. The process is automatic, with recipients selected at random and notified that their debt has been cleared – no strings attached, and no action required

“Verizon’s unwavering commitment to Western North Carolina has been remarkable. By extending their support to $15 million in debt relief, they are proving that true recovery means standing with families long after the storm has passed,” said Craig Antico, CEO of ForgiveCo. “ForgiveCo is honored to help deliver this impact, and we are proud to stand with Verizon for the people of North Carolina.”

Verizon’s commitment to the state extends beyond disaster recovery and includes an ongoing strategic partnership with the University of North Carolina, focused on fostering innovation for students and the community.

About ForgiveCo:

ForgiveCo provides business advisory services to corporations for acquisition, administration, and cancellation of consumer debt, alongside advisory services in branding, goodwill creation, and bulk debt management – “Transforming debt into goodwill™.”; They amplify a brand’s equity by erasing billions of dollars of debt for millions of people, activating community and hope in individuals. To learn more, please visit: forgiveco.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C., October 7, 2025 /3BL/ – North Carolina’s ArtSpace Charter School today announced the selection of DreamBox Math by Discovery Education to support math instruction in grades K-8. This new digital resource will be used by teachers in the school to enhance instruction and accelerate student achievement in math. Discovery Education is the maker of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world.

Located in Swannanoa, North Carolina, ArtSpace Charter School offers a complete education through an integrated curriculum centered around the visual and performing arts and utilizing an experiential approach. The gifted faculty at ArtSpace Charter School believes in a family-centered, cooperative approach to education that encourages family involvement and community service to nurture responsible citizenship.

Following the closure of their school due to Hurricane Helene, ArtSpace sought a digital math solution that would not only support the recovery of lost learning but also accelerate achievement through student-centered learning experiences. Following a comprehensive review of potential solutions, the ArtSpace Charter School team selected DreamBox Math by Discovery Education for classroom use.

DreamBox Math is a K-8 online math program that supplements core instruction in the classroom or at home and is independently proven by several third-party research organizations to increase math achievement. DreamBox Math by Discovery Education adapts dynamically to the learner, providing tailored instruction within a highly engaging, gamified learning environment. DreamBox Math lessons are available in both English and Spanish and are standards-aligned.

Along with actionable reporting and tools that empower differentiation for all learners, DreamBox Math offers teachers content-specific professional learning and provides administrators critical insights into student progress. With DreamBox Math, every student is empowered to independently engage in interactive problem solving so they can develop conceptual understanding, apply a variety of strategies, and gain competence and confidence in mathematical reasoning and skills.

“Our students lost 24 days of learning as they grappled with the impacts of Hurricane Helene,” said Dr. Sarena Fuller, Executive Director of the ArtSpace Charter School. “To support the recovery of their lost learning and to improve their overall learning trajectory in math, we wanted to select an adaptive math solution that would support the success of our students, and we are excited to integrate DreamBox Math into our classroom instruction.”

In addition, all educators using Discovery Education’s digital resources have access to the Discovery Educator Network or DEN. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration.  Recently, the DEN celebrated 20 years of connecting educators to their most valuable resource: each other. Educators interested in learning more this powerful professional learning community and joining the DEN can visit the DEN homepage here

“Discovery Education is proud to support the ArtSpace Charter Schools’s efforts to improve teaching and learning in math, said Kimberly McCullough, Discovery Education Account Executive. “The integration of DreamBox Math into their curriculum will yield academic benefits for their students, and we are excited to support their work.”

For more information about Discovery Education’s award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

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About Discovery Education 
Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions help educators engage all students and support higher academic achievement. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, and innovative classroom tools that are effective, engaging, and easy to use, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Learn more at www.discoveryeducation.com.

Contact 
Stephen Wakefield 
Discovery Education 
Phone: 202-316-6615 
Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com