Tag: 3BL

Las Vegas Sands

As grantees of the Drop by Drop Project – a water stewardship program operated in partnership between Sands and The WASH Foundation – the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macao and Waterways Watch Society in Singapore have conducted work to address wetlands protection, biodiversity preservation and water conservation education in their respective regions.

USJ used its Drop by Drop Project funding on an initiative to restore and maintain Macao wetlands by working to assess their unique biodiversity. The Waterways Watch Society focused its grant work on teaching more than 4,000 Singapore students about important water-related topics through school assembly presentations, learning sessions on outdoor trails and a clean-up at Marina Reservoir with Marina Bay Sands.

As grantees of the Drop by Drop Project – a water stewardship program operated in partnership between Sands and The WASH Foundation – the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) in Macao and Waterways Watch Society in Singapore have conducted work to address wetlands protection, biodiversity preservation and water conservation education in their respective regions.

USJ used its Drop by Drop Project funding on an initiative to restore and maintain Macao wetlands by working to assess their unique biodiversity. The Waterways Watch Society focused its grant work on teaching more than 4,000 Singapore students about important water-related topics through school assembly presentations, learning sessions on outdoor trails and a clean-up at Marina Reservoir with Marina Bay Sands.

In Singapore, Waterways Watch Society’s school assemblies and trail learning sessions educated students about water scarcity, sustainability, pollution and monitoring; conservation at home and in the community; the human impact on climate change; Singapore’s water management infrastructure; and litter monitoring. More than 450 students also participated in seven waterway cleanups on foot at litter hot spots where they learned how waste affects water resources.

As part of its Drop by Drop Project work with Waterways Watch Society, Marina Bay Sands participated in the organization’s Kayak Waterway Clean-Ups, a unique experiential learning program in which participants explored litter hot spots on Singapore waterways. While paddling on kayaks in Marina Reservoir, a primary drinking water source, Team Members picked up litter and learned about its impact on water and wildlife. Marina Bay Sands supported 12 cleanups with 188 Team Members, including a session with resort executives.

Sands’ underwriting of the Drop by Drop Project is part of the Sands ECO360 global sustainability program, which guides the company’s work to minimize environmental impact and promote sustainable practices in the company’s regions around the world.

To learn more about the Drop by Drop Project, visit: https://thewashfoundation.org/dropbydrop/.

To learn more about Sands ECO360, read the company’s latest ESG report: https://www.sands.com/resources/reports/

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, is reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and empowerment by inviting North American students aged 6-17 to contribute their ideas for digital innovations capable of advancing peace by addressing UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Peace and conflict resolution—at the global scale and at the interpersonal level—are key to human security because they ensure stability and security and support growth and opportunity. With the goIT Monthly Challenge for September, TCS asks students to consider SDG 16: Peace & Conflict Resolution and any other SDGs that can help advance its interests.

Challenge Prompt: Create a tech-based solution that can help strengthen the experience of individuals and communities, whether it reduces conflict, promotes safety, or ensures everyone feels included and safe. Students can address issues like bullying, unfair treatment, violence, cooperation, or explore ways to decrease tensions. Further, they can work to address these concerns in their own communities, in people’s homes or workplaces, or around the world.

To participate, students will use design thinking to create and pitch a digital innovation concept, like a mobile app or a website, which can help advance these goals in either their local communities or across the globe. Students don’t have to create a functioning innovation, just demonstrate their research, knowledge, and intentions should they ever be able to move it from idea to reality.

Participants can present ideas for tech-based solutions that reduce or eliminate conflict of any kind and as they define it. They could also solve the problems from a host of other angles or focus on ways to establish peace. The possibilities are only limited by their imaginations.

How to enter:

1. Visit https://on.tcs.com/goIT-ENG with a student aged 6-17 to learn about the goIT Monthly Challenge, register, and submit entries.
2. Scroll down to get inspired by watching videos related to SDG 16 and considering others, like SDG 10 and SDG 11 and SDG 17. Download the judging rubric and presentation template for extra guidance
3. Register with a parent, teacher, or guardian and start researching and inventing!

Pitches submitted by September 30, 2025, will be judged by a volunteer panel made up of TCS employees and sometimes members of their customer and partner networks. Monthly winners have an automatic head start on their entry in the annual goIT Global Innovator of the Year competition and the chance to earn mentoring and recognition that can inform their resumes and college applications.

About Tata Consultancy Services
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS) is a digital transformation and technology partner of choice for industry-leading organizations worldwide. Since its inception in 1968, TCS has upheld the highest standards of innovation, engineering excellence and customer service.

Rooted in the heritage of the Tata Group, TCS is focused on creating long term value for its clients, its investors, its employees, and the community at large. With a highly skilled workforce of over 600,000 employees in 55 countries and 180 service delivery centres across the world, the company has been recognized as a top employer in six continents. With the ability to rapidly apply and scale new technologies, the company has built long term partnerships with its clients – helping them emerge as perpetually adaptive enterprises. Many of these relationships have endured into decades and navigated every technology cycle, from mainframes in the 1970s to Artificial Intelligence today.

TCS sponsors 14 of the world’s most prestigious marathons and endurance events, including the TCS New York City Marathon, TCS London Marathon and TCS Sydney Marathon with a focus on promoting health, sustainability, and community empowerment.

TCS generated consolidated revenues of over US $30 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. For more information, visit www.tcs.com

Follow TCS on LinkedIn| Instagram | YouTube| X

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Cummins

For nearly 20 years, biodiesel has been approved by Cummins for use in its on-highway diesel engines.

Cummins’ iconic workhorse, the X15 diesel, is approved to run up to B20 which contains up to 20% biodiesel mostly obtained from soybeans.

Fleets and owner-operators using biodiesel in the X15 have long-enjoyed greater lubricity, lower emissions and higher cetane values over conventional diesel.

A low carbon fuel like biodiesel will get even better when paired with Cummins’ new 2027 X15.

“I’m excited now more than ever to hear and get feedback from the industry,” Clean Fuels Alliance America Technical Director Scott Fenwick said of the latest advanced diesel engines like the Cummins 2027 X15 which meet EPA 2027 emissions regulations.

Fenwick noted that companies remain dedicated to lowering their emissions regardless of regulatory direction. Pepsi and ADM recently announced their commitment to testing B99 supplied by Pilot, the first station in the U.S. to provide nearly pure biodiesel. Trucks will be equipped with Optimus fuel systems that enable B100 use.

Clean Fuels Alliance America has been working alongside Cummins and other OEMs for several years to increase the quality and availability of biodiesel. The Department of Energy currently lists 1,663 public and private fuel stations in the U.S. that supply B20.

“Cummins in running some field trials using biodiesel blends greater than B20,” said Jeff Klopfenstein Liquid Fuels expert at Cummins Corporate R&T Chemical Technology Group. “That’s going to accelerate soon because companies want to decarbonize.”

“More and more, we’re seeing a customer choice for low carbon fuels, for renewable fuels,” Fenwick said. “Even though regulations around the world are being rolled back they still want to reduce their carbon footprint. They’re going to proactively choose low carbon renewable fuels. It’s an exciting time.”

Steve Howell, longtime chair of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Biodiesel Task Force and co-founder of MARC-IV Consulting, has also worked alongside Cummins for years researching and steadily improving biodiesel performance. The veteran oil chemist also sees corporate carbon goals creating more interest in biodiesel particularly as electric truck mandates are sidelined by state and federal lawmakers.

“We see that as the major driver moving forward,” Howell said. “And we see biodiesel in new diesel technology being a real winner there and renewable diesel as well because the new 2027 engine technology has tailpipe NOx emissions at almost a near-zero level.”

Both Howell and Fenwick credit Cummins for its ongoing work in testing biodiesel both in the field and in the lab. Cummins first approved biodiesel use in 2007.

“Over the years, Cummins has worked positively and cooperatively with the industry to provide a bunch of the data needed to help set the specs and then to basically identify the performance characteristics of biodiesel,” Howell said.

“Cummins has been fantastic to work with,” Fenwick added.

Stay tuned as Tom explores how biodiesel continues to evolve—next up, a closer look at the testing and specifications driving its performance gains.

Originally published on GoDaddy

TEMPE, Ariz., September 4, 2025 /3BL/ — Small businesses just got a midyear gift with a broad range of new AI-charged features from GoDaddy (NYSE: GDDY), making getting online and selling even easier. These updates underscore GoDaddy’s commitment to simplifying online business management through continuous innovation, powerful AI assistance, and responsive design, based on direct customer feedback.

These enhancements, launched between January and June, span every stage of the business journey. Whether it’s buying the perfect domain, optimizing an online store or managing performance hosting, each update is designed to make running a business online faster, easier and more intuitive.

Key updates include:

• GoDaddy Airo® enhancements, helping users name, build, and grow their business with personalized, AI-generated suggestions.
• Streamlined in-person checkout and AI-powered catalog creation tools, helping sellers add, organize and update products with less effort.
• Simplified Domain Transfers and improved user experience for DNS and domain management.
• Smart Storefront Customizer, giving business owners better control over online storefront layout, mobile design and merchandising.

The full lineup of upgrades is available at: https://www.godaddy.com/resources/godaddy-product-updates

“GoDaddy continues to build and ship powerful software for entrepreneurs everywhere,” said GoDaddy Small Business Trends Expert Amy Jennette. “That means shipping meaningful improvements every month – whether that’s saving someone time with an AI feature or helping them attract more customers to fuel their business growth.”

The pace of innovation won’t slow down. As GoDaddy moves into the second half, entrepreneurs can look forward to continued improvements that make managing and growing an online business simpler. Every step forward brings the company closer to its mission: to empower entrepreneurs everywhere, making opportunity more inclusive for all.

About GoDaddy 
GoDaddy helps millions of entrepreneurs globally start, grow, and scale their businesses. People come to GoDaddy to name their idea, build a website and logo, sell their products and services and accept payments. GoDaddy Airo®, the company’s AI-powered experience, makes growing a small business faster and easier by helping them to get their idea online in minutes, drive traffic and boost sales. GoDaddy’s expert guides are available 24/7 to provide assistance. To learn more about the company, visit www.GoDaddy.com.

Source: GoDaddy Inc.

September 4, 2025 /3BL/ – AI IS RESHAPING SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Sustainability disclosure and reporting is evolving rapidly. AI automates data collection and analysis at unprecedented speed and is improving our understanding to how sustainability performance can drive business performance.

Meanwhile, traditional models for how companies collect, compile and communicate relevant information about their organization are changing rapidly—stakeholders want information year-round across multiple channels and seek more granular analyses about the companies they are interested in. 

At this event AI’s potential and shortcomings–and the risk of standing on the sidelines–will be at the center of a dynamic conversation with five trailblazers in corporate sustainability, communications and artificial and business intelligence.

What We’ll Explore:

• AI-Enhanced Reporting: How intelligent data platforms are transforming sustainability data collection, analysis, and insight generation while enabling more strategic communications. But questions about data bias and objectivity cannot be minimized.
• Beyond Annual Reports: Why leading companies are expanding to multi-channel sustainability communications—digital hubs, targeted content, and ongoing stakeholder engagement.
• The New Discovery Landscape: How AI-powered search changes where stakeholders encounter your sustainability story, requiring content optimized for both human engagement and AI comprehension.

Featured Perspectives:

• Data & Analytics: How AI-powered business intelligence transforms sustainability data management and creates opportunities for more compelling storytelling.
• Strategy & Implementation: Global consulting expertise on integrating AI capabilities while maintaining strategic focus on material issues and stakeholder authenticity.
• Communications Innovation: Approaches to creating credible and informative sustainability content that engages stakeholders across multiple channels.
• Real-World Application: Hear from a practitioner on how they are integrating AI into their operations and strategies.

Who Should Attend: CSOs, CCOs, IROs, and sustainability professionals navigating the intersection of AI capabilities, reporting requirements, and stakeholder engagement in an increasingly complex communications landscape

Contact: 
Travis Small
Slowey McManus Communications
617-538-9041 (cell)

September 23rd – 3pm to 6pm 
The Empire State Building, 350 5th Ave NYC

RSVP HERE

Please be advised that photographs and/or video recordings may be taken at this event. By attending, you are consenting to your likeness being captured and used for promotional and archival purposes on our website and social media platforms. If you prefer not to be photographed, please notify a staff member or the photographer

ScottsMiracle-Gro released its 2025 Corporate Responsibility report detailing progress toward its environmental, social and governance goals that help guide its sustainability strategy. These goals are rooted in the Company’s purpose to GroMoreGood, everywhere.

“GroMoreGood defines our obligation to our communities, planet, consumers and each other. It reflects who we are and what we stand for,” said Chairman and CEO Jim Hagedorn. “Through our market-leading products and solutions, we enable people to express themselves on their own piece of the Earth. In turn, their thriving gardens and lawns foster many environmental benefits. When it comes right down to it, we strive to make the world a better place, and our 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report reflects our work along these lines.”

Among the many milestones achieved in the last year:

• Natural ingredients and new packaging. The Company launched in 2024 its Miracle-Gro Organic Raised Bed & Garden Soil, which is locally sourced and made with upcycled green waste, and in 2025 expanded the organic portfolio to include indoor and outdoor solutions. It also developed drought-tolerant grasses to help conserve water in landscapes and continued to innovate with 100-percent recyclable packaging for its O.M. Scott & Sons brand. Additionally, the Company reduced virgin plastic packaging with refillable pouches under its Ortho brand.
• Landfill diversion and resource reduction. The Company diverted 1.76 million pounds of waste from coir, a natural material obtained from coconut husks for use in potting mixes, growing media and lawn products. Through collaborations with landscape, renewable energy and organics management firms, coir waste was diverted to agricultural, municipal and industrial applications. The Company expanded the recycling of plastic film waste for composite decking, railing and other outdoor items and reduced greenhouse irrigation water use by nearly 50 percent.
• Environmental outreach and green space education. The Company exceeded its 2024 goal of reaching over 157 million people via partnerships with nonprofits focused on water quality and conservation and pollinator habitat and land protection. This included expansion of its work with its 15-member National Partner Network, a group of environmental organizations. For example, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation expanded its grant for The Nature Conservancy’s water quality initiatives in Ohio and Long Island, New York, to include the Colorado River Basin.
• Impacts through partnerships and grants. The Company continued to connect children to gardens and green spaces through more than 180 grants. Among those receiving support were the Columbus City Schools Farm to School Program, Scotts Canada’s GroForGood Grant Program, KidsGardening GroMoreGood Grassroots Grants and The National Head Start Association GroMoreGood Garden Grants. The Company also empowered students in Ohio through The Legacy Project with mentorship and real-world career opportunities and nationwide via support for the Doodles & Digits math education series.

ScottsMiracle-Gro recognizes the efforts that its associates and stakeholders have made in achieving the goals outlined in the report and reaffirms its commitment to continuous improvement aimed at benefitting consumers, associates, communities and the planet.

To access the full report, which also addresses the Company’s extensive support for local communities and its associates, visit the ScottsMiracle-Gro 2025 Corporate Responsibility Report. 

About ScottsMiracle-Gro

With approximately $3.6 billion in sales, the Company is the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care. The Company’s brands are among the most recognized in the industry. The Company’s Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, and Ortho® brands are market-leading in their categories. The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Hawthorne Gardening Company, is a leading provider of nutrients, lighting, and other materials used in the indoor and hydroponic growing segment. For additional information, visit us at www.scottsmiraclegro.com.

View original content here.

In Inola, Oklahoma, the high school football field is almost never empty. In the morning, the marching band takes the turf to rehearse. As the day unfolds, cheerleaders, cross country runners and the track team cycle through. By the weekend, little league players fill the field and locals gather for fitness classes and community camps — all on the same worn but well-loved ground that’s brought this town together for years.

Come Friday nights in the fall, it belongs to the Inola Longhorns — and the entire community, which packs the stands to cheer them on.

So when Inola High School found out it had won a once-in-a-lifetime stadium makeover through T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights competition late last year, the celebration wasn’t just about turf or tech. It was about celebrating a space that already means so much to the small town that less than 2,000 people call home.

“We truly are a ‘Friday Night Lights’ kind of community. People come not just for the football, but to watch the band, the cheerleaders — it’s the place to be, and it’s been that way for years,” said Inola Superintendent Jeff Unrau. “The excitement in the hallways was incredible. We had kids showing up as early as five or six in the morning to work on projects and staying late into the night. During the school day, there was this constant buzz. No one wanted to be left out.”

That energy paid off big time. Out of nearly 1,750 schools across all 50 states, Inola High School demonstrated unmatched pride and performance to lock down the crown as the first-ever winner of the competition. The school scored a field upgrade that includes pro-level turf, a teched out scoreboard, new LED field lighting, fencing, a mascot and a brand-new weight room from Gronk Fitness.

“The heart and determination we saw from Inola High School were simply extraordinary,” said Jon Freier, President, T-Mobile Consumer Group. “Week after week, students rallied statewide support for their school, showing the true power of community, and that’s exactly why we’re committed to championing towns like Inola across the country.”

When the win was announced, the celebration spilled from the school halls into the streets of Inola. For Deleea Meeker, the high school’s College and Career Coordinator, it was a proud moment built on months of teamwork, spirit and belief in something bigger.

“We just thought it would be a fun way to get students involved and build some school spirit, especially for our seniors and the student council,” said Meeker, who helped champion the school’s entry. “But it really took off. It brought together not just our school community, but the entire town. The pride we all share has been such a wonderful thing to experience.”

What started as a student-led video submission quickly became a symbol of what’s possible when a small-town community rallies together. Students organized a massive campaign, calling all 1,700 schools in the state and even traveling by bus several hours each way to Oklahoma City to help drive votes for their school.

The effort united the entire student body, leading to moments like seniors wearing magenta tassels at graduation — a nod to T-Mobile’s signature brand color — and students asking to include the T-Mobile logo in the new turf. Even the yearbook got a makeover, printed with a magenta cover.

After having a field more than a decade old and an outdated scoreboard, Inola High School now boasts a state-of-the-art athletic facility, featuring the same high-performance turf used by the Seattle Seahawks and Oklahoma State University.

“It is mind-boggling that our kids will always play on the best surface there is, and the best place they’ll play is at home,” said Unruh. “And with the new scoreboard, we’ll have instant replay, live action and graphics. It’s going to be awesome.” 

Inside the school, the transformation continues. Thanks to Gronk Fitness, Inola High School’s former weight room — once a modest space with outdated equipment — has been completely reimagined into a sleek, modern facility.  

The competition sparked a lasting cultural shift in how students show up, support one another and take pride in their school.

“More kids were willing to get out there and kind of get out of their shell. I’ve never seen some of these kids enjoy their time in high school like that,” said Connor Pratt, recent Inola High School graduate and football player. “I’m so excited to come back next year and see how this opportunity has helped them grow.”

It’s the kind of impact that goes beyond sports or school spirit — and it speaks to T-Mobile’s commitment to community. Friday Night 5G Lights is one way America’s Best Network is putting its values to work in real places across the country. From upgrading connectivity to expanding student opportunity, the program is designed to help small schools dream big.

“Everybody knows about T-Mobile. Everybody has lived a T-Mobile life this year, and it’s really trickled into everything,” said Meeker, who rocked magenta hair for most of the year.

With a new season ahead and a new field to show off, the Inola Longhorns are ready to lead on and off the field. And with the next round of Friday Night 5G Lights now open, schools everywhere have the chance to do the same.

To learn more, visit FridayNight5GLights.com.

To enter Friday Night 5G Lights: High schools in U.S. towns with populations under 150,000 are eligible to apply. Authorized school officials, including teachers, coaches or administrators can submit an entry on behalf of their school at www.fridaynight5glights.com. Submissions must include a short story or essay about why their school deserves a football field transformation. Applications will be accepted through Sept. 12.

More than half the global population washes clothes by hand, a task that’s both time-consuming and labor-intensive. 

To help reclaim time and improve life at home, the Whirlpool Foundation and The Washing Machine Project work together to bring thousands of manual washing machines to communities around the world. 

Listen and learn how a laundry solution is helping transform lives, one wash at a time. 
https://lnkd.in/gxQ_ZFXm

View original content here.

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.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2024, the company reported approximately $17 billion in annual sales – close to 90% of which were in the Americas – 44,000 employees, and 40 manufacturing and technology research centers. Additional information about the company can be found at WhirlpoolCorp.com.

POSORJA, Ecuador September 4, 2025 /3BL/ – DP World has launched the next phase of its global Living Seawalls initiative in Ecuador, marking the installation of the first eco-engineered pilings as part of its deep-water port terminal expansion in Posorja. The project reflects DP World’s growing investment in sustainable infrastructure that not only supports global trade but also restores and enhances coastal biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

The Living Seawalls initiative uses specially designed panels affixed to port infrastructure –such as pilings and seawalls — that mimic natural marine environments like rock pools and mangrove roots. Unlike traditional smooth surfaces, these textured panels provide safe spaces for marine organisms to attach, grow, and thrive. By mimicking nature, the panels will help revive coastal ecosystems and will create new habitats for marine species in areas otherwise impacted by development. 

A total of 21 pilings will be equipped with Living Seawalls panels at Posorja by the end of 2025. In addition to the physical installations, the project includes a robust biological monitoring component designed to generate scientific data on the relationship between hydraulic infrastructure and marine biodiversity. The findings will contribute to broader global efforts to align maritime development with environmental stewardship.  

Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Colombia, Ecuador, and Perú said: “The installation of the Living Seawalls at Posorja represents a significant advancement in our sustainability journey. By embedding ecological considerations into our infrastructure, we’re not only supporting marine biodiversity but also setting new standards for responsible port development. Through a process of scientific research, it will provide valuable information on engineering design alternatives for concrete surfaces in marine ecosystems in Ecuador.”

Living Seawalls has already demonstrated measurable impact. In Sydney Harbour, their presence led to a 36% increase in marine life within two years. DP World first implemented Living Seawalls at its Callao port terminal in Peru. The installation resulted in the identification of 67 different organisms, increasing the area’s marine biodiversity and providing refuge for many species. Following this success, the initiative expanded to Jebel Ali Port in Dubai last year, reinforcing DP World’s global commitment to sustainable maritime operations. 

The Posorja project aligns with DP World’s ongoing efforts to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 14: Life Below Water, and exemplifies how innovative engineering can drive positive environmental outcomes. As DP World continues to expand its global footprint, sustainability remains at the core of its infrastructure investments – ensuring that growth in trade can coexist with the health of the planet’s oceans. 

– END –

DP World Americas Media Contact:

Melina Vissat, Head of Communications
M: (+1) 704-605-6159
E: melina.vissat@dpworld.com

About Living Seawalls

Living Seawalls aims to revolutionize the way we think about building in the ocean. In order to improve the ecological sustainability of new and existing foreshore developments we must ensure that no new development proceeds without first considering how it can benefit both humans and nature. By combining ecological and engineering knowledge, Living Seawalls is committed to developing adaptable and affordable mechanisms to bring life back into marine developments across the world.

About DP World 

DP World is reshaping the future of global trade to improve lives everywhere. Operating across six continents with a team of over 100,000 employees, we combine global infrastructure and local expertise to deliver seamless supply chain solutions. From Ports and Terminals to Marine Services, Logistics and Technology, we leverage innovation to create better ways to trade, minimizing disruptions from the factory floor to the customer’s door.

In the Americas, DP World operates with a team of over 16,000 people across 12 countries, driving excellence through a robust network of 14 ports and terminals and more than 40 warehouses. By harnessing our global reach and local expertise, we simplify logistics, enhance operational performance, and redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in global trade.

WE MAKE TRADE FLOW.

For more insights into how DP World is reshaping global trade, visit our website: www.dpworld.com

 

Client Need

A Pawnee Nation Needs Assessment identified Pawnee, Oklahoma, as one of the state’s hardest hit rural regions by opioid addiction, suicide and accessible medical care. Due to this, Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma, a Central Plains Indian Tribe, began planning the development of a healthcare facility that can provide the medical care needed in the area, including psychiatric diagnoses, medication assisted treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, individual counseling, residential substance use disorder treatment, psychiatric (acute/crisis stabilization) and withdrawal management/detox treatment.

As a startup behavioral health center with limited guaranty capacity while serving predominately low-income populations covered by government payment options, this project was not equipped to support traditional debt underwriting, and capital was required to advance the project.

Baker Tilly Capital solution

The Baker Tilly Capital team helped Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma pool capital together from various sources to construct their 22,000-square-foot, 26-bed adult/geriatric inpatient and outpatient behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment facility. This included $14 million of New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) financing through Clearinghouse CDFI, $4 million of grants from the USDA and EDA and a $12.4 million USDA guaranteed loan from Native American Bank in order to maximize all funding available allowing the project, which was a five-year endeavor in the making, to proceed.

Results

With our NMTC solutions, Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma is able to:

• Serve 2,040 unique patients annually: Over 75% of them classified as low-income persons, more than 50% Medicaid insured coverage and over 90% of Native American descent.
• Create 53 permanent jobs: Over 37% filled by low-income persons and over 25% filled by Native Americans.
• Provide solutions to the needs identified in letters of support provided by the City of Pawnee, Oklahoma Congress and Senate leaders, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, local healthcare groups and area not-for-profits.

The facility serves as a critical referral source for the Tribe’s adjacent primary care center, which otherwise was unable to provide the necessary mental health treatment for a tribal community experiencing a victimization rate of mental illness 2.5 times the rate of Caucasians in Oklahoma. The facility also provides local, accessible treatment for the predominately rural five-county service area, including both native and non-native members, who previously were forced to travel over 40 miles to Tulsa to seek quality behavioral and mental health treatment.

The Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma partnered with Ascension Recovery Services, an industry leader in developing comprehensive, fully integrated behavioral health systems for vulnerable populations who are uninsured or underinsured, to design the facility’s welcoming, accommodating programming, tailored for the ethnically diverse Tribal community that has not historically had access to treatment.

Watch the story of how collaboration, creativity and commitment came together to make a lasting impact.

For more information on this topic, or to learn how Baker Tilly’s NMTC specialists can help advance your next community improvement project, contact our team.