Report captures state of Hartford’s parks from data captured by youth interns working with Trust for Public Land, Blue Hills Civic Association, and Connecticut Green Bank
HARTFORD, Conn. (August 8, 2024) – The Trust for Public Land (TPL), Blue Hills Civic Association (BHCA), and the Connecticut Green Bank are pleased to announce the release of a report that details the completion of a park assessment project for the City of Hartford conducted by paid youth interns through BHCA’s Summer Youth Employment Program in 2023. An informational webinar on the report was held on Aug. 15 (recording linked).
This report consists of two parts: the assessment of all parks in Hartford and a comparison of the park system with other cities in the state and nationally to identify strengths and weaknesses. The detailed report highlights a systematic need for investment in Hartford parks, particularly in neighborhood parks. Overall, this report sparks a conversation about parks benefits, stewards, park development, and maintenance across Hartford public green spaces.
“Parks give people space to gather and build stronger communities that are better prepared to tackle social, health, and environmental challenges. But park systems aren’t created equally,” said Walker Holmes, Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Connecticut State Director at the Trust for Public Land. “Our ParkScore analyses provide community leaders with the information they need to improve their parks, close the park equity gap, and connect more people to the benefits of the outdoors. Trust for Public Land is committed to building partnerships like this one with Green Bank and BHCA to collect vital data and promote increased funding for parks and open space statewide.”
Over the course of the five-week project, the interns, ages 15 – 17, gathered data on the five key park metrics: acreage, access, investment, amenities (such as baseball fields, basketball courts, swings, and seating areas), and equity across Hartford’s 1,595 acres of parkland, approximately 14% of city area. This project adapts the ParkScore Index, a national comparison of the park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States, to Hartford, including a custom park asset and condition assessment.
“The Green Bank is excited to work with TPL and Blue Hills Civic Association on a ParkScore partnership that engaged and empowered the youth interns to assess enhancement opportunities for Hartford’s parks and recreation assets,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Green Bank. “As the birth and burial place of Frederick Law Olmstead, and hub to the insurance industry, the community of Hartford should play a leadership role in the national conversation on green spaces, public health, and confronting climate change about the importance of investing in our parks.”
The project had three key deliverables: a customized park amenity and condition mapping of all parks based on assessments conducted by youth employed through BHCA; a Hartford Custom ParkScore report assessing how Hartford compares on five key metrics; and prioritization maps highlighting areas for park acquisition and rehabilitation with an equity lens.
As part of the program, the interns also received parks assessment specific training including the use of geographic information system (GIS) software from TPL and GIS Consultants, parks, planning and policy career talks from the Advisory Committee, as well as career competency training from BHCA.
“By engaging our youth to lead the condition assessment, this project empowered them to have their voices heard and connected our youth to parts of their city that they’d never explored,” said Danielle Middlebrooks, BHCA’s Capacity Building Consultant. “This project was a tremendous success for our youth by pairing core career competency training with experiential learning and the opportunity to engage with professionals and technology in a new way. Through our partnership with TPL and the Green Bank we were able to enhance our youth’s ability to think critically and take an active role in the change they want to see here in Hartford.”
To access the report please visit www.ctgreenbank.com/hartford-parkscore. An informational webinar on the report was held on Aug. 15 (recording linked).
About Trust for Public Lands
Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. TPL is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. In Connecticut and across the country, TPL collaborates with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. The organization is committed to creating more places that bring people outside—parks, trails, playgrounds and public lands — and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere. This project included both TPL’s Connecticut office and its ‘think and do tank’ – the Land and People Lab.
Learn more at www.tpl.org/
About Blue Hills Civic Association (BHCA)
The Blue Hills Civic Association (BHCA) is Hartford’s oldest civic organization, established in 1962. BHCA serves as a catalyst to inspire vibrant, healthy, civically engaged residents and leaders who are supported by strong schools, culturally competent health care, economic equality and safe neighborhoods. The organization accomplishes this by empowering people that live and work in the Blue Hills and surrounding communities to create stable and attractive neighborhoods through Youth, Family and Community impact. This impact includes serving more than 1,000 youth annually as the largest Summer Youth Employment & Learning Program (SYELP) Provider in the City of Hartford, as well as the lead Community School Provider at Weaver High School. BHCA also provides employment training, internships, mentorship, youth organizing and extended-day learning programs to youth and young adults with the goal of building a dynamic workforce with in-demand skills.
Learn more at www.bluehillscivic.org
September 2024 Newsletter
/in Newsletters, NewslettersGreen Bank launches their second green liberty offering, announces enhancements to c-pace, annual awards, and more
Connecticut Green Bank Seeks Qualified Vendors to Provide Services Related to Energy and Environmental Areas
/in NewsRequest for qualifications aimed at vendors with specialized capabilities to support key Green Bank initiatives
HARTFORD, Conn. (Sept. 10, 2024) – The Connecticut Green Bank is pleased to announce the release of a Request for Qualifications to establish a pool of qualified vendors (consultants, technical professionals, engineers, and others), including women and minority owned businesses and led organizations, to provide the Green Bank with diverse technical, energy, environmental, and financial services. The selected firms may be invited to support any new or existing Green Bank programs and help support efforts to stimulate the growth and development of clean energy and environmental infrastructure investment in Connecticut. Any vendors previously selected through the RFQ in the 2023 solicitation period are not required to reapply through this RFQ, unless the vendors are interested in being considered for additional support areas. Vendors should also note that if they do not respond to this RFQ, they retain the ability to apply to any future Green Bank opportunities for services.
The Green Bank has broadly defined its needs across the following support areas: energy generation technology; utility-scale resources; transportation; environmental infrastructure; hydrogen; novel solutions (e.g., artificial intelligence); and climate change impacts, resilience, and adaptation analysis.
The qualified vendors could be called upon to assist with tasks including life cycle assessments; macroeconomic analysis and modeling; forecasting of energy use, prices and greenhouse gas emissions; health and environmental impacts; environmental infrastructure support; policy analysis; technology assessment; program development; community engagement; and facilitation services.
The solicitation period closes on Oct. 13, 2024. The RFQ can be found at https://www.ctgreenbank.com/about-us/rfps/.
The town of Portland strives to make their school more sustainable.
/in Community Solutions, Customer StoriesStrong Citizen Engagement Pushes Connecticut Green Bank Subsidiary’s Eleventh Investment Offering Over Its Maximum Raise Amount
/in Investment Solutions, NewsNine consecutive raises have exceeded their maximums, more than $3.0 million has been raised cumulatively from investors in Connecticut and across the country
Hartford, CT (August 12, 2024) – CGB Green Liberty Notes LLC, a subsidiary of the Connecticut Green Bank, successfully closed their eleventh Green Liberty offering, surpassing its maximum raise amount for the ninth consecutive time. To allow for more investors to participate in this innovative and certified green investment opportunity, this was the fifth offering that featured an increased maximum raise limit of $350,000. This is the ninth consecutive offering to exceed the maximum. In total, more than $3.0 million has been raised from Connecticut citizens and nationwide investors in support of small businesses improving their energy efficiency and reducing their energy costs. The campaign is made possible in partnership with Raise Green, an award-winning online marketplace for impact investing.
Green Liberty Notes, which are offered quarterly, can be purchased through the Raise Green online platform without a broker, with a minimum investment of just $100. To date, more than 60% of original investments have been $1,000 or less, and more than half of the investors have been Connecticut residents. In total, individuals from 35 states have invested in Green Liberty Notes.
Investments in the Green Liberty offering support Eversource’s Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program, which enables small businesses in Connecticut to reduce their energy costs through efficiency upgrades and zero-interest loans. The Connecticut Green Bank and Amalgamated Bank (America’s largest B Corp bank) recently celebrated the purchase of more than $100M of SBEA loans, driving environmental benefits and economic growth in local restaurants, town halls, community organizations, and more.
As a result of the climate benefits associated with the SBEA program, this Green Liberty offering has been reviewed and designated a Green Bond by Kestrel, a leading provider of external reviews for green, social and sustainability bond transactions and a Climate Bonds Initiative Approved Verifier.
“We are proud of the success of the Green Liberty Notes which support small businesses all over Connecticut and give citizens across the country the opportunity to invest in the clean energy transition and to help in the fight against climate change. With only $100 required to participate, and with this program offered quarterly, the ability to invest in the green economy is now available to everyone!” said Bert Hunter, EVP and Chief Investment Officer of the Connecticut Green Bank. The next quarterly offering of Green Liberty Notes is being planned for October.
For more information about investment opportunities, please visit invest.ctgreenbank.com.
Hartford ParkScore Assessment Report Released
/in NewsReport captures state of Hartford’s parks from data captured by youth interns working with Trust for Public Land, Blue Hills Civic Association, and Connecticut Green Bank
HARTFORD, Conn. (August 8, 2024) – The Trust for Public Land (TPL), Blue Hills Civic Association (BHCA), and the Connecticut Green Bank are pleased to announce the release of a report that details the completion of a park assessment project for the City of Hartford conducted by paid youth interns through BHCA’s Summer Youth Employment Program in 2023. An informational webinar on the report was held on Aug. 15 (recording linked).
This report consists of two parts: the assessment of all parks in Hartford and a comparison of the park system with other cities in the state and nationally to identify strengths and weaknesses. The detailed report highlights a systematic need for investment in Hartford parks, particularly in neighborhood parks. Overall, this report sparks a conversation about parks benefits, stewards, park development, and maintenance across Hartford public green spaces.
“Parks give people space to gather and build stronger communities that are better prepared to tackle social, health, and environmental challenges. But park systems aren’t created equally,” said Walker Holmes, Vice President of the Mid-Atlantic Region and Connecticut State Director at the Trust for Public Land. “Our ParkScore analyses provide community leaders with the information they need to improve their parks, close the park equity gap, and connect more people to the benefits of the outdoors. Trust for Public Land is committed to building partnerships like this one with Green Bank and BHCA to collect vital data and promote increased funding for parks and open space statewide.”
Over the course of the five-week project, the interns, ages 15 – 17, gathered data on the five key park metrics: acreage, access, investment, amenities (such as baseball fields, basketball courts, swings, and seating areas), and equity across Hartford’s 1,595 acres of parkland, approximately 14% of city area. This project adapts the ParkScore Index, a national comparison of the park systems across the 100 most populated cities in the United States, to Hartford, including a custom park asset and condition assessment.
“The Green Bank is excited to work with TPL and Blue Hills Civic Association on a ParkScore partnership that engaged and empowered the youth interns to assess enhancement opportunities for Hartford’s parks and recreation assets,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Green Bank. “As the birth and burial place of Frederick Law Olmstead, and hub to the insurance industry, the community of Hartford should play a leadership role in the national conversation on green spaces, public health, and confronting climate change about the importance of investing in our parks.”
The project had three key deliverables: a customized park amenity and condition mapping of all parks based on assessments conducted by youth employed through BHCA; a Hartford Custom ParkScore report assessing how Hartford compares on five key metrics; and prioritization maps highlighting areas for park acquisition and rehabilitation with an equity lens.
As part of the program, the interns also received parks assessment specific training including the use of geographic information system (GIS) software from TPL and GIS Consultants, parks, planning and policy career talks from the Advisory Committee, as well as career competency training from BHCA.
“By engaging our youth to lead the condition assessment, this project empowered them to have their voices heard and connected our youth to parts of their city that they’d never explored,” said Danielle Middlebrooks, BHCA’s Capacity Building Consultant. “This project was a tremendous success for our youth by pairing core career competency training with experiential learning and the opportunity to engage with professionals and technology in a new way. Through our partnership with TPL and the Green Bank we were able to enhance our youth’s ability to think critically and take an active role in the change they want to see here in Hartford.”
To access the report please visit www.ctgreenbank.com/hartford-parkscore. An informational webinar on the report was held on Aug. 15 (recording linked).
About Trust for Public Lands
Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. TPL is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. In Connecticut and across the country, TPL collaborates with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. The organization is committed to creating more places that bring people outside—parks, trails, playgrounds and public lands — and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere. This project included both TPL’s Connecticut office and its ‘think and do tank’ – the Land and People Lab.
Learn more at www.tpl.org/
About Blue Hills Civic Association (BHCA)
The Blue Hills Civic Association (BHCA) is Hartford’s oldest civic organization, established in 1962. BHCA serves as a catalyst to inspire vibrant, healthy, civically engaged residents and leaders who are supported by strong schools, culturally competent health care, economic equality and safe neighborhoods. The organization accomplishes this by empowering people that live and work in the Blue Hills and surrounding communities to create stable and attractive neighborhoods through Youth, Family and Community impact. This impact includes serving more than 1,000 youth annually as the largest Summer Youth Employment & Learning Program (SYELP) Provider in the City of Hartford, as well as the lead Community School Provider at Weaver High School. BHCA also provides employment training, internships, mentorship, youth organizing and extended-day learning programs to youth and young adults with the goal of building a dynamic workforce with in-demand skills.
Learn more at www.bluehillscivic.org
Connecticut Insurance Department highlights urgent need for Climate Smart Technology in Affordable Housing
/in Community Solutions, NewsHARTFORD, CT – August 7, 2024 — Commissioner Andrew N. Mais shared that the Connecticut Insurance Department, in collaboration with key partners, released a report on the pressing need for climate smart technology in affordable housing. The report, titled “Emerging Public Health Needs for Climate Smart Technology in Connecticut Affordable Housing,” underscores the critical importance of investing in backup power and stable indoor temperature solutions to protect residents who rely on Home Medical Devices (HMDs), especially those in vulnerable communities.
This initiative is backed by the Connecticut Green Bank, Clean Energy Group, The Yale Schools of Medicine and Public Health, and Operation Fuel, with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Energy Storage Solutions program, and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office.
An informational webinar on the report will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 pm EDT. To register for the webinar, please visit https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/132552064745234522.
Connecticut, like many parts of the country, is increasingly facing climate change-related extreme weather events, leading to grid outages and temperature-related emergencies. While hospitals typically have backup generators, most residential buildings do not. Power disruptions significantly affect individuals who depend on electricity for their HMDs, which are essential for managing medical conditions and ensuring independent living.
“As we face the growing challenges of climate change, we must prioritize the integration of climate-smart technologies in our affordable housing initiatives,” said Commissioner Mais. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, particularly those dependent on home medical devices, is a responsibility we cannot overlook. By fostering innovation and leveraging public-private partnerships, including with the insurance and public health sectors, we can enhance the resilience of our communities and provide essential protections for our most vulnerable populations. The Connecticut Insurance Department is proud to support this crucial work and remains committed to advancing sustainable, resilient housing solutions for all.”
“We spoke with close to 100 people across the state, hearing firsthand from people who rely on home medical devices and those who care for them, about their experiences and concerns related to power outages” said Annie Harper, PhD and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. “By listening to those most affected, we learned both about the challenges they face, and about solutions that will work for them.”
“As demand for emergency energy assistance grows every year, it is essential that low- and moderate-income residents benefit from emerging energy technologies,” said Roxanna Booth, Interim CEO of Operation Fuel. “Ensuring that families have access to power all year, especially during increasingly common extreme weather events, is an essential component of our state’s just energy transition.”
“Affordable housing providers are uniquely positioned to improve health outcomes in the event of a power outage,” said Marriele Mango, Project Director at Clean Energy Group. “By equipping their facilities with resilient power systems (solar+storage), providers can ensure that even their most vulnerable residents, including those reliant on electricity for medical needs, have access to basic but necessary services during an emergency, like outlets to charge medical devices and refrigeration to store medication.”
“This report underscores the intersection between energy resilience and health. In a season where many geographies are experiencing record high temperatures, it’s critical that we focus on policies and solutions that will keep people safe and make buildings more operationally efficient,” said Kimberlee Cornett, Director of Impact Investments for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
“This project has provided us greater insights into addressing the challenges of increasing resilience for those living with home medical devices in multifamily affordable housing,” states Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. “Through the investment in and deployment of climate smart technologies, in partnership with the banking, insurance, and healthcare industries, and state and federal incentives and financing, including the Inflation Reduction Act, we can improve the lives of those residing in vulnerable communities.”
Key Report Findings:
Key Report Recommendations:
Investing in climate smart technology for affordable housing is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of residents who rely on HMDs. By enhancing the resilience of these buildings, Connecticut can better protect its vulnerable populations and reduce the strain on emergency services during extreme weather events.
Connecticut Green Bank and OCOsink empower commercial building owners to make energy efficiency improvements
/in Building Solutions, NewsNew partnership combines the benefits of C-PACE financing with OCOsink’s process to simplify the creation of complex projects with an increased return on investment
Hartford, CT (August 1, 2024) – The Connecticut Green Bank announces a new partnership with OCOsink, a West Hartford-based energy consultant, designed to help commercial building owners develop and manage projects that will increase their energy efficiency and achieve their energy goals, while allowing them to focus on their core business needs. By leveraging OCOsink’s Energy Program Facilitation (EPF) services, building owners are empowered to make improvements as complex energy concepts are translated into actionable projects with measurable results. This comprehensive solution is a cost-effective way to professionally engineer and manage energy efficiency projects, while taking advantage of the benefits of C-PACE financing. Building owners who take advantage of EPF services could be eligible for interest rate reduction when they use C-PACE financing.
“Buildings have been increasingly expensive to operate, due to rising utility rates and maintenance costs. Our process provides owners with the resources and framework to make impactful energy efficiency upgrades, transforming energy audits into comprehensive energy projects,” said DJ Plis, Founder and Managing Director of OCOsink. “Our goal is to make decarbonization accessible and to ensure long-term benefits for our clients and the environment.”
OCOsink’s EPF services are value-driven and tailored to each property’s unique needs. The process includes project development, engineering and procurement, implementation oversight, and performance assurance.
“We understand the challenges property owners face when trying to address complicated energy efficiency projects and their need for these improvements to be cash flow positive,” said Alysse Lembo-Buzzelli, Director of Program Development and Origination at the Green Bank. “Designing projects is a major pain point for owners interested in making changes but are uncertain how to get started. Our partnership with OCOsink solves this problem by providing assistance from development through completion and performance assurance for energy efficiency projects.”
With C-PACE financing, building owners can cover up to 100 percent of the energy improvement costs with terms up to 25 years repaid through a voluntary benefit assessment. Projects financed through C-PACE are often cash flow positive in year one. Projects that utilize EPF services through OCOsink will be eligible for a reduced interest rate through the Green Bank. This interest rate reduction will offset the cost of EPF services, while also resulting in better financial return on investment for building owners.
Learn more about EPF services and C-PACE financing, please visit www.ctgreenbank.com/EPF.
Enko Chem grows their commitment to clean energy
/in Building Solutions, C-PACE, Customer StoriesJuly 2024 Newsletter
/in Newsletters, NewslettersGreen Bank launches their second green liberty offering, announces enhancements to c-pace, annual awards, and more
Connecticut Green Bank Seeks New Lending Partners to Continue Growth of Successful Smart-E Loan Program
/in Home Solutions, Investment Solutions, NewsLaunched in 2013, Smart-E helps residents improve the energy efficiency, resilience, and safety of their homes through a network of participating lenders and vetted contractors
Hartford, CT (July 22, 2024) – The Connecticut Green Bank today announced that it is seeking lenders interested in joining their Smart-E loan program through an open Request for Qualifications. Since 2013, the Smart-E loan has helped nearly 9,000 homeowners complete projects worth more than $170 million that have generated renewable energy, improved the efficiency and comfort of their homes, or removed health and safety hazards. The program is currently expanding to reach more homeowners across Connecticut, especially low-and-moderate income homeowners and communities of color, while increasing the program’s offerings into resilience and potential opportunities created by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).
The Smart-E loan is offered through participating lending partners and a vetted network of local contractors who install the projects. For lenders, the Smart-E loan provides a no-cost way to engage with new and existing customers through a product that has proven to have few delinquencies and charge-offs. The Green Bank supports the program with marketing and technical assistance as well as a loan loss reserve.
“As the program continues to grow and evolve, serving diverse homeowners and contractors across the state, we are excited to add new credit unions, local and regional banks, and other lenders to our existing core group of partners,” said Bert Hunter, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the Green Bank.
A virtual information session for lenders will be held on Wednesday, August 7 at 1 pm. Register here.
The RFQ can be found here.