Suffolk County awarded United Way of Long Island a $385,000 JumpSMART Small Business Downtown Investment Program grant to provide hands-on training in clean energy and renewables for veterans and young adults.
This will include participants of United Way’s VetsBuild, YouthBuild, and PowerUp! Wind, Solar & Renewables programs.
The Workforce Development Training Academy is being developed in conjunction with United Way of Long Island’s Net Zero Energy Building Campaign, an award-winning project that is setting a new standard in renewable energy for non-profit organizations across Long Island. Going Net Zero means the organization will save more than $70,000 in utility costs to be reinvested in community programs.
United Way is transforming its Deer Park headquarters, the renamed Entenmann Family Center for Hope, into the next generation of energy efficiency. With 576 PV solar modules, the facility will function as a “command center” for non-profit organizations across Long Island that are impacted by catastrophic events like 2012’s Super Storm Sandy, allowing these vital organizations to continue serving the communities who rely on them when their own facilities are unavailable.
In County Executive Bellone’s remarks he said, “United Way of Long Island is a constant presence in the community and one of the pillars of the community. Their Suffolk County officials led by County Executive Steve Bellone present United Way of Long Island’s Theresa A. Regnante and Craig Fligstein a $385,000 JumpSMART grant.Workforce Development Training Academy will provide our residents with greater access to financial opportunities and workforce development possibilities.”
“We are grateful to the Suffolk County Legislature for their support, and to Steve Bellone for his commitment and leadership to invest in workforce development,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President and CEO, United Way of Long Island. “These funds will support the transformation of our headquarters into a Net Zero facility and provide tomorrow’s workforce with the skills needed to build a Long Island community that leaves a lighter footprint.”
To learn more about the Workforce Development Training Academy, visit: https://www.unitedwayli.org/WorkforceAcademy
About United Way of Long Island
United Way of Long Island advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on three key building blocks: health, education, and financial stability. United Way invests in community partnerships to help our most vulnerable and at-risk residents through organizations and programs that grant equitable access to resources and services across the region. For more information about United Way of Long Island, please visit www.unitedwayli.org, call 2.1.1 or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.
