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Connecticut Green Bank Receives National Clean Energy Leadership Award for Solar MAP+

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CESA State Leadership in Clean Energy Award recognizes Connecticut program helping municipalities, schools, state agencies, and affordable multifamily housing access solar and battery storage with fewer barriers

HARTFORD, Conn. (July 30, 2026) – The Connecticut Green Bank announced today that its Solar Marketplace Assistance Program Plus (Solar MAP+) has received a 2026 State Leadership in Clean Energy Award from the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA). The biennial awards recognize outstanding state programs and projects that accelerate the adoption of clean energy technologies, with winners evaluated by an independent panel of judges based on leadership, innovation, cost-effectiveness, and replicability.

Solar MAP+ is a clean energy development and financing program that provides end-to-end solar and energy storage project support for municipalities, K–12 schools, state agencies, and affordable multifamily housing. By positioning the Green Bank as a public developer and not solely a financier, the program helps remove persistent barriers that can prevent public and mission-driven institutions from accessing solar and storage, including limited staff capacity, complex procurement, project risk, and financing constraints.

“This national recognition underscores Connecticut’s leadership in developing practical, innovative clean energy solutions that deliver real benefits for our communities,” said Lonnie Reed, Chair of the Connecticut Green Bank’s Board of Directors. “Solar MAP+ shows how ambitious clean energy goals can be translated into completed projects that lower energy costs, increase community resilience, strengthen public and mission-driven institutions, and create a model that other states can replicate.”

Since its launch, Solar MAP+ has completed 69 projects, installed 56.3 megawatts of capacity, and generated more than $150 million in clean energy investment. The program is also helping affordable multifamily housing properties share financial benefits directly with tenants, resulting in an average of $350 in annual savings per tenant.

“Solar and battery storage projects can be difficult to advance, especially for organizations that do not have dedicated energy staff or experience navigating procurement, financing, and project development,” said Mackey Dykes, Executive Vice President of Financing Programs at the Connecticut Green Bank. “Solar MAP+ brings together technical assistance, contractor solicitation, proposal review, incentives, and financing, so communities and property owners can move from interest to implementation with confidence.”

For Connecticut municipalities, schools, and state agencies, Solar MAP+ provides the tools, resources, and experience needed to make renewable energy projects more achievable. The program supports site analysis, project design, contractor solicitation, proposal review, financing, and execution, which help communities capture the benefits of solar and battery storage without having to navigate the marketplace alone.

“For local leaders and property owners, the priority is delivering meaningful outcomes for the people they serve, including more affordable energy, greater resilience, and progress toward sustainability goals,” said Emily Basham, the Connecticut Green Bank’s Director of Solar MAP+. “Our program allows them to focus on those community benefits while the Green Bank helps manage the technical and financial complexity behind the scenes.”

CESA’s judges noted the program’s replicability and the Green Bank’s expanded role in project development, stating that Solar MAP+ is innovating the role of the green bank from lender to lender and developer and is “highly replicable, cost-effective, and successful in its implementation.”

“The Connecticut Green Bank has long been a national leader in clean energy, and the judges recognized the Green Bank’s ability to design and implement influential and innovative programs,” said Warren Leon, Executive Director of the Clean Energy States Alliance.

A recent Solar MAP+ expansion for affordable multifamily housing selected eight Connecticut properties for solar projects expected to collectively deliver approximately 2.4 megawatts of clean energy to 473 residential units. Those projects are expected to provide property owners with an average of approximately $569,000 in lifetime energy cost savings while helping tenants save, on average, more than $350 annually in energy costs.

“Participating in the Connecticut Green Bank Solar MAP+ program helped us overcome the major barriers to going solar by providing no-cost technical assistance and project development support. The solar project at Quarry Heights is expected to reduce our operating expenses while also saving our residents hundreds of dollars each year on their utility bills,” said Allen Harrison, Executive Director, Portland Housing Authority.

The 2026 State Leadership in Clean Energy Awards were presented in July 2026. An independent panel of expert judges selected seven winners from state clean energy agencies across the country. For more information about the award-winning programs, judges’ bios, and to see photos of the award winners, visit: www.cesa.org/projects/state-leadership-in-clean-energy/2026-awards.

About the Clean Energy States Alliance

The Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) is a leading US coalition of state energy agencies working together to advance the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies and bring the benefits of clean energy to all. CESA’s members include many of the nation’s most innovative, successful, and influential implementers of clean energy policies. Learn more at www.cesa.org.

 

Connecticut Green Bank Launches 17th Green Liberty Notes Offering

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Following the record-breaking 16th offering, more than $4 million has been raised to support small business energy efficiency across Connecticut

 

Hartford, CT (July 13, 2026) – CGB Green Liberty Notes LLC, a subsidiary of the Connecticut Green Bank, today announced the launch of its 17th investment offering to Connecticut residents and investors nationwide. Offered quarterly, Green Liberty Notes are designed for accessibility, feature a one-year term, and can be purchased with a low minimum investment of $100 through Green Bank’s partnership with Honeycomb Credit, using its online crowdfunding platform.

The 16th Green Liberty Note offering reached the maximum amount of $500,000 thanks to a record $606,649 of investor commitments from 129 investors, marking the highest level of participation and capital raised in the program’s history. This milestone also marks the 14th consecutive Green Liberty Note offering to meet or exceed its maximum target, further demonstrating sustained investor confidence in the program and its underlying clean energy impact.

“Our Green Liberty Notes continue to demonstrate that community investment can be a powerful tool for advancing Connecticut’s green economy,” said Connecticut Green Bank President and CEO Bryan Garcia. “By making participation simple and accessible, we are giving everyday investors the opportunity to earn a competitive return while helping small businesses reduce energy costs, improve performance, and lower emissions.”

Investments in this offering support Eversource’s Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program, which enables small businesses in Connecticut to reduce energy costs and improve performance through energy efficiency upgrades and interest-free loans. The benefits associated with the SBEA program have been reviewed and verified by Kestrel for their environmental impact. Encouraged by the success of the program, the Green Bank Board of Directors approved last month the expansion of the program to fund project specific raises where communities can invest in local projects. These community-driven raises are expected to launch in the next few months.

To date, more than $4 million has been raised through previous offerings, with more than 60% of original investments at $1,000 or less and more than half of investors being Connecticut residents. In total, individuals from 43 states have invested in Green Liberty Notes.

The current offering is quickly approaching its maximum raise amount. For more information or to invest, please visit www.greenlibertynotes.com.

Catalyst Power and Connecticut Green Bank Partner to Advance Commercial Solar Deployment Across Connecticut

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Five-site distributed solar portfolio totaling 1,025 kW-DC is expected to avoid more than 500 metric tons of emissions annually

 

HARTFORD, CT. June 16, 2026 — Catalyst Power (“Catalyst,” “Company”), an independent integrated provider of retail power and cleaner energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector, and the Connecticut Green Bank today announced the successful financing of a five-site distributed solar portfolio totaling 1,025 kW-DC across Hartford and Trumbull, Connecticut.

Comprised primarily of sub-200 kW projects on commercial building rooftops, the portfolio represents a market segment that faces higher fixed transaction costs—engineering reviews, underwriting, and project structuring—that can make projects difficult to advance through traditional financing. Once complete, the portfolio is expected to avoid more than 500 metric tons of carbon emissions equivalent each year.

“The Connecticut Green Bank’s work is critical to maintaining momentum for commercial solar in the state. This size of project is becoming increasingly difficult to deploy as project economics face growing pressure from rising costs, financing complexity, and federal incentive volatility,” said Gabriel Phillips, CEO of Catalyst Power. “The Connecticut Green Bank’s ability to work with commercial energy providers like Catalyst allows us to continue to scale commercial clean energy infrastructure –and serves as a model for future clean energy investments in the state.”

“This partnership reflects our mission to accelerate investment into Connecticut’s green economy,” said Bert Hunter, Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer, Connecticut Green Bank. “By working with private sector partners like Catalyst Power, we can help reduce barriers to deployment, attract private capital into the state, and support scalable clean energy development that benefits local communities.”

The Catalyst Power Connecticut Green Bank partnership focuses on improving process efficiency through standardized engineering, streamlined diligence, and purpose-built workflows designed specifically for distributed energy projects.

 

About Catalyst Power

Catalyst Power is an energy supplier helping commercial and industrial customers reduce costs and enhance budget certainty. Its offering is built around a blended supply model that combines onsite generation from energy producing assets it builds, owns, and operates at customer sites with market-based retail electricity. Operating across deregulated markets in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest, Catalyst serves customers in 11 states and 33 utility territories and continues to expand its footprint. The company is backed by DRW Holdings and BP Energy Partners and supported by a dedicated operations and maintenance platform that ensures performance, reliability, and long-term asset optimization. Catalyst serves more than 8,500 customers across manufacturing, industrial, multifamily, hospitality, higher education, commercial real estate, and other energy-intensive sectors.  

For more info: www.catalystpower.com.

Connecticut Green Bank Provides $1.3 Million Loan to Bright Feeds to Advance Surplus Food Recycling and Environmental Compliance

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This transaction marks the first for the Green Bank under its role expansion beyond clean energy into environmental infrastructure, which includes organic waste management solutions

 

Hartford, CT – June 2, 2026 – The Connecticut Green Bank today announced the closing of a $1.3 million term financing facility to Bright Feeds, a New England-based company that rescues and upcycles surplus food into nutrient-optimized animal feed. This financing supported the purchase and installation of a thermal oxidizer at Bright Feeds’ Berlin facility, ensuring compliance with emissions standards while enabling the company to continue scaling operations. By converting surplus food into animal feed, Bright Feeds helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the disposal of unused food and decreases reliance on traditional feed crops like corn and soy. Bright Feeds will operate under air and waste permits, allowing up to 105,000 tons of unused, excess food per year.

“We are excited to provide this loan to an innovative local company working to support Connecticut’s waste diversion and climate goals,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO, Connecticut Green Bank. “What Bright Feeds does is a great example of how technology can help solve our organic waste problem and create beneficial situations for businesses seeking ways to divert waste and those feeding livestock, as well as environmental benefits for everyone.”

This investment aligns with Connecticut’s Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy (CMMS), which prioritizes organic waste diversion and recycling. It also supports the Green Bank’s Comprehensive Plan goal of deploying capital into environmental infrastructure projects that address critical organic waste management challenges, which became part of the Green Bank’s expanded scope in June 2021 with the passage of Public Act 21-115.

“Bright Feeds was founded on the belief that surplus food should be repurposed into a high-quality livestock feed that benefits farmers and the environment,” said Jonathan Fife, CEO of Bright Feeds.  “Support from the Connecticut Green Bank enabled us to install advanced emissions controls and continue scaling our operations, allowing us to redirect more surplus food from landfills while supporting local agricultural supply chains.

The thermal oxidizer was installed and permitted by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), resolving emissions concerns and enabling Bright Feeds to resume production scale-up. The Berlin facility is expected to achieve sustained profitability and continue increasing production levels toward its full engineered capacity by late 2027.

“This project is the first completed transaction under the Green Bank’s expanded mission into environmental infrastructure and serves as a proof point that strategic investments in Environmental Infrastructure can simultaneously advance state policy, drive meaningful greenhouse gas reductions, and accelerate commercial climate solutions, a powerful demonstration of how the Green Bank model delivers catalytic impact well beyond the energy sector,” said Austin Dziki, Associate Director of Environmental Infrastructure Programs at the Green Bank.

To learn more about the Green Bank’s offerings related to organic waste management solutions, as well as other environmental infrastructure offerings, please visit www.ctgreenbank.com/environmental-infrastructure-offerings/.

Connecticut Green Bank Celebrates Record-Breaking Close of 16th Green Liberty Note Offering 

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Program continues to demonstrate strong investor demand and scalable community investment model 

HARTFORD, Conn. — May 28, 2026 — The Connecticut Green Bank today announced the successful closing of its 16th Green Liberty Note offering, which reached the maximum amount of $500,000 thanks to a record $606,649 of investor commitments from 129 investors, marking the highest level of participation and capital raised in the Note program’s history. The maximum raise amount, which is usually set at $350,000, was increased to $500,000 in honor of Earth Month in April. In total, more than $4 million has been invested from individuals. 

This milestone also represents the 14th consecutive Green Liberty Note offering to meet or exceed its maximum target, further demonstrating sustained investor confidence in the program and its underlying clean energy impact. 

A Proven Model for Community Investment 

Since its launch, the Green Liberty Note program has established itself as one of the most successful community investment initiatives in the country by providing everyday investors with the opportunity to directly support Connecticut’s clean energy economy. Through a simple, accessible structure, individuals can invest with as little as $100 and earn a competitive return while contributing to projects that reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.  

Proceeds from Green Liberty Notes support energy efficiency upgrades through Eversource’s Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program, enabling small businesses across Connecticut to lower operating costs and improve performance.  

“Green Liberty Notes demonstrate that climate solutions and investment opportunities can go hand-in-hand,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of the Connecticut Green Bank. “Working through our partner Honeycomb Credit, with each offering, we are expanding access to the green economy and building a growing coalition of investors who are helping to drive measurable impact in our communities.” 

The 16th offering’s record-breaking participation highlights the increasing appeal of community-based climate investing and reflects growing public interest in financing local, impactful projects. Historically, more than half of investors in the program have been Connecticut residents, and a majority of investments have been in smaller denominations, underscoring the inclusive nature of the model.  

This broad-based engagement is a defining feature of the program’s success. By lowering barriers to entry and offering a transparent, regulated investment vehicle, the Green Liberty Note program has attracted investors from across the country while maintaining strong local participation. 

Delivering Economic and Environmental Impact 

Green Liberty Notes are designed to mobilize private capital into projects that deliver tangible benefits, including: 

  • Lower energy costs for small businesses and nonprofits 
  • Improved building performance through efficiency upgrades 
  • Reduced greenhouse gas emissions 
  • Strengthened local economies and job creation 

To date, the program has helped mobilize millions of dollars toward Connecticut’s clean energy economy, contributing to the Connecticut Green Bank’s broader mission. 

Consistent Performance Builds Investor Confidence 

A key driver of continued investor demand is the program’s strong performance track record. All Green Liberty Note issuances that have reached maturity have been fully repaid on time, supported by a disciplined financial structure and underlying cash flows.  

This consistency—combined with repeated oversubscription and target attainment—has positioned the program as a reliable, scalable model for attracting non-institutional capital into climate solutions. 

Looking Ahead 

Building on the momentum of the 16th offering, the Connecticut Green Bank will continue to offer Green Liberty Notes on a quarterly basis, while exploring future project-specific investment opportunities, further connecting residents with the clean energy and infrastructure investments that directly benefit their communities. 

Anyone interested in receiving notifications about future offerings should sign-up at https://www.ctgreenbank.com/greenlibertynotes-signup/  

Connecticut Technical Education and Career System Celebrates the Completion of Seven Solar Energy Projects Across the State

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Seven projects to provide nearly 4 megawatts of clean energy and deliver approximately $5.4 million in lifetime energy cost savings

 

MANCHESTER, Conn. (May 1, 2026) – The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) and Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS), along with partners the Connecticut Green Bank (Green Bank) and Verogy, today announced that seven solar energy projects at technical high schools across the state are nearing final completion.

The seven projects, including rooftop and carport installations, will collectively deliver almost 4 megawatts of clean, renewable energy to the schools. Additionally, CTECS will save approximately $5.4 million in energy costs over the lifetime of the panels while reducing carbon emissions by the equivalent of approximately 2,290 metric tons annually.

CTECS Executive Director Dr. Alice Pritchard, DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman, Connecticut Green Bank Executive Vice President of Financing Programs Mackey Dykes, and Verogy Chief Operating Officer Steven DeNino were joined by students, state and local officials, and other project partners at a ceremonial ribbon-cutting event for a 756.8-kilowatt (kW) carport system serving Howell Cheney Technical High School in Manchester, one of the schools benefiting from solar.

“Today’s ribbon cutting marks more than the completion of a project, it reflects a commitment to using our resources more efficiently to benefit students while also exposing them to emerging energy technologies,” said CTECS Executive Director Dr. Alice Pritchard. “We’re especially grateful to our project partners for their collaboration in bringing these projects to completion so quickly.”

“DAS is proud to be part of a project that reflects Connecticut’s strong commitment to sustainability,” said DAS Commissioner Michelle Gilman. “By expanding clean energy at CTECS campuses, we’re reducing costs, lowering emissions, and creating hands-on learning opportunities that prepare students for careers in a growing green economy.”

“These projects are the result of significant coordination among CTECS, DAS, Verogy, and the Green Bank,” said Mackey Dykes, Executive Vice President of Financing Programs at the Connecticut Green Bank.  “Using Solar MAP+, we have helped streamline the process of going solar for state and municipal properties and affordable multifamily housing. We are excited to see these CTECS projects start producing savings.”

“It’s a privilege to help deliver clean, renewable energy to Connecticut’s technical schools, and we’re proud of what this team accomplished together,” said Steve DeNino, Chief Operating Officer, Verogy.  “As a Connecticut-based company, these projects hit close to home. Having the chance to give CTECS students a firsthand look at where the solar industry is headed made these projects especially rewarding.”

“This ribbon-cutting ceremony represents more than just the installation of solar panels; it represents a commitment to our future, fellow students, and our community,” said Olivia Garreffa, senior Electrical student at Howell Cheney Technical High School.

In addition to the carport system serving Howell Cheney Technical High School, the other schools benefiting from the solar energy systems include:

  • W.F. Kaynor Technical High School (Waterbury) – 448.8 kW rooftop system
  • A.I. Prince Technical High School (Hartford) – 170.5 kW rooftop system
  • Eli Whitney Technical High School (Hamden) – 832.7 kW rooftop and carport systems
  • Emmett O’Brien Technical High School (Ansonia) – 897.6 kW rooftop and carport systems
  • Henry Abbott Technical High School (Danbury) – 656.7 kW carport system
  • H.H. Ellis Technical High School (Danielson) – 959.2 kW roof and carport system

Full speaking program: Cheney Tech Solar Ribbon Cutting and Dedication

About the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System

Through exemplary trade and academic programming, the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) prepares high school students and adult learners to meet the skilled workforce needs of Connecticut employers. CTECS operates 17 diploma-granting technical high schools, one technical education center for grades 11 and 12 and adult learners, and two aviation maintenance technician training programs. CTECS serves approximately 11,500 full-time high school students in over 30 Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. In addition, over 3,000 adult learners take part in day courses, and evening apprenticeship and extension courses. All CTECS academic and CTE curriculum are designed with relevant, 21st-century employability skills required by business and industry.

About the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services

The Connecticut Department of Administrative Services (DAS) provides timely and cost-effective services to state agencies, state employees, municipalities, private industry, and the public. DAS offers a diverse array of programs, encompassing statewide human resources, information technology, fleet vehicle services, building and construction, procurement, grants administration, and beyond.

About the Connecticut Green Bank

The Connecticut Green Bank was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2011 as the nation’s first state-level green bank and has since supported the creation of more than 30,000 green jobs in the state, while reducing the energy cost burden on over 71,000 families, businesses, and nonprofits. The Green Bank’s vision is a planet protected by the love of humanity and its mission is to confront climate change by increasing and accelerating investment into Connecticut’s green economy to create more resilient, healthier, and equitable communities. This is accomplished by leveraging limited public resources to scale-up and mobilize private capital investment into Connecticut. In 2017, the Connecticut Green Bank received the Innovations in American Government Award from the Harvard Kennedy School Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation for their “Sparking the Green Bank Movement” entry. To date, the Green Bank has mobilized more than $3 billion into the State’s green economy. This has reduced the energy costs for thousands of families and businesses, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change and worsen public health. In 2021, the Green Bank’s model was expanded to include new areas of environmental infrastructure, related to climate adaptation and resiliency, land conservation, parks and recreation, agriculture, water, waste and recycling, and environmental markets, including carbon offsets and ecosystem services.

For more information about the Connecticut Green Bank, please visit www.ctgreenbank.com.

About Verogy

West Hartford, Connecticut-based Verogy is a leading solar developer with unmatched experience advancing customized commercial, industrial, and utility-scale renewable energy projects. With a diversified portfolio of cutting-edge renewable energy projects and a robust, growing pipeline, Verogy is actively delivering solutions across more than 20 states. Since its founding, Verogy has supported projects in the production of over 200,000 MWH of renewable energy. From project financing to design and construction, Verogy delivers renewable energy solutions that help communities, businesses, and institutions achieve their sustainability goals. Learn more at https://www.verogy.com.

 

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Bridgeport Study Identifies High-Impact Investments to Strengthen Parks Citywide

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Bridgeport, Conn. (April 22, 2026) – Trust for Public Land (TPL), in partnership with Connecticut Green Bank, PT Partners, and the City of Bridgeport, today announced the results of a comprehensive custom analysis providing a data-driven roadmap to guide future park investment across the city.

Conducted through TPL’s 10-Minute Walk® Park Equity Accelerator program, the ParkScore and Park Needs Analysis study evaluates the overall performance of Bridgeport’s park system and identifies the parks and neighborhoods where strategic investments can deliver the greatest impact.

“Bridgeport has the foundation of a great park system, with strong access and well-maintained spaces,” said Walker Holmes, Vice President of Mid-Atlantic Region and Connecticut State Director for Trust for Public Land. “This analysis shows where targeted investment can expand opportunity, address inequities, and ensure every resident has access to high-quality parks.”

The analysis found that Bridgeport’s park system performs slightly below average compared to large U.S. cities, earning a ParkScore of 45 out of 100 and trailing peer cities like Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford. The city’s greatest strength is access, with 83% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a park—well above the national average. However, this strong proximity does not translate into equal park quality or availability. Bridgeport has smaller parks, fewer amenities, and significantly lower investment than both national benchmarks and Connecticut peers, spending just $54 per person annually on parks and recreation compared to the $133 national median.

The analysis also reveals persistent equity gaps: neighborhoods of color have 42% less park space than white neighborhoods, and low-income communities have 40% less than higher-income areas. Despite these challenges, Bridgeport’s parks are generally in good physical condition, indicating effective stewardship of existing assets. The findings suggest that increased and more targeted investment—particularly in park acreage, amenities, and underserved neighborhoods—could significantly improve the overall system while addressing long-standing disparities.

A central component of the study is a prioritization framework that identifies where investments can deliver the greatest benefits across multiple goals, including improving park conditions, increasing access, addressing climate impacts, and supporting community health. Using this approach, the report highlights several parks—including Pequonnock and Coleman Street, William Barnum Park, Knowlton Park, Wood Park, and Upchurch Park—as top priorities for investment. At the neighborhood level, the analysis identifies the Hollow, East Side, West Side/West End, Enterprise, and Mill Hill as areas where new or improved park resources are most needed.

These areas present the greatest opportunity to expand park access, improve amenities, address climate resilience, and reduce long-standing inequities.

“The City of Bridgeport is excited to launch our ParkScore report, developed with the Trust for Public Land, CT Green Bank, and PT Partners,” said Chadwick Schroeder, Sustainability Manager for the City of Bridgeport. “We are proud to maintain a strong park system and see this report as a tool to guide more equitable investment moving forward. We will continue expanding public-private partnerships, improving amenities across the city, and advancing the waterfront pathway to increase access to green space for residents long excluded from it.”

The Park Needs Analysis also draws on detailed, on-the-ground data collection led by PT Partners, a resident-driven organization rooted in Bridgeport’s communities. Their assessment of 68 parks found that while most spaces are in good condition, many lack the amenities, shade, and programming that make parks inviting places to gather and spend time. This reinforces the need for investments that go beyond maintenance to create more vibrant, usable spaces.

“This opportunity is perfectly aligned with PT Partners’ work on making an equitable environment for all,” said Vanessa Monique Liles, Ph.D., Co-Project Director at PT Partners. “We are excited to use this report to engage in working with the city of Bridgeport and the neighborhood NRZs to move Bridgeport to its fully realized Park City.”

The report underscores that increasing investment will be critical to achieving these goals. Given the limited availability of state funding for parks in Connecticut, it points to the importance of exploring innovative financing strategies and partnerships. Organizations like Connecticut Green Bank can play a key role in aligning park investment with climate resilience goals, while collaborations with healthcare institutions and community organizations can expand programming and unlock new funding opportunities.

“There is a growing body of research that suggests access to parks and nature are community assets for public health, especially in our urban centers,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO of Connecticut Green Bank. “Investments in improving park quality and access could reduce chronic illnesses and provide more opportunities for residents to benefit from being outside while also providing the potential to increase resilience from the impacts of climate change within the community. Data-driven reports like this can help support future investment partnerships with and from the healthcare and insurance industries.”

By combining rigorous data analysis with community-informed insights, this report provides Bridgeport with a practical roadmap for the future. It is designed to support city leaders in capital planning, strengthen grant applications, and empower local advocates working to ensure that all residents—regardless of income or neighborhood—can access the full benefits of parks.

TPL and the City are also presenting findings and takeaways from the report at a webinar on May 6th to continue a conversation about parks benefits, stewardship, park development, and maintenance across Bridgeport’s public green spaces.

About Trust for Public Land  

Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that works to connect everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they are needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,500 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, and raised $112 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 10 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.

With More than $3 Million Already Raised from the Crowd, New Opportunities for Connecticut Residents to Invest Directly in Projects that Confront Climate Change are on the Horizon

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On the back of the Connecticut Green Bank’s 16th Green Liberty Notes offering going live on Honeycomb Credit’s platform, both organizations announce a new agreement that increases future opportunities for participation in the green economy by residents. 

 

HARTFORD, Conn. (April 14, 2024) – The Connecticut Green Bank, the nation’s first state-level green bank, and Honeycomb Credit, the nation’s leading debt-based crowdfunding platform, today announced a new agreement that continues their successful partnership and opens the door for future expansion that will allow more Connecticut residents to participate in the green economy. The announcement comes as the Green Bank’s sixteenth Green Liberty Note offering opens in celebration of Earth Month, allowing investors to support a series of offerings that has already raised more than $3 million for Connecticut’s green economy. More than half of all investors have been Connecticut residents, and more than 60% of investments have been $1,000 or less. 

“The Connecticut Green Bank has always believed that confronting climate change requires public participation,” said Bryan Garcia, President and CEO, Connecticut Green Bank. “This agreement strengthens our ability to mobilize investment from Connecticut’s residents directly into projects that benefit our communities, including reducing energy costs and creating jobs. We’re not just building a greener Connecticut – we’re building a coalition of climate investors at the local level to help get us there.” 

A Foundation Fifteen Raises in the Making 

The announcement builds on one of the most successful community investment programs in the country and demonstrates that everyday investors – not just institutional ones – will show up for climate. To date, the Green Liberty Notes offerings have all supported Eversource’s Small Business Energy Advantage (SBEA) program, which enables the state’s small businesses to reduce their energy costs through efficiency upgrades and zero-interest on bill financing. SBEA offers a no-cost, no-obligation energy assessment to small businesses, providing a one-stop service that combines easy access to energy efficiency measures as well as incentives and payment plans. 

Now, given the infrastructure, investor community, and institutional trust built across 15 successful raises, the Green Bank and Honeycomb Credit are making plans to go further by funding specific projects in Connecticut communities with more direct support from the residents those projects will serve. 

“Honeycomb was built on the idea that communities should have a stake in what gets built around them,” said Jackie Logan, Director of Climate Finance at Honeycomb Credit. “Our partnership with the Connecticut Green Bank has proven that model works at scale. This agreement is about taking it further – connecting more Connecticut residents to more climate projects, and turning individual investors into a real force for the green economy.” 

Projects on the Horizon 

The new agreement opens the door to a range of project-specific investment opportunities currently under exploration, including distributed solar projects, electrification of school buses, and other clean energy and environmental infrastructure initiatives. Connecticut residents, and individuals all over the U.S. will be able to invest starting at $100, completing the process in minutes on desktop or mobile. 

The Connecticut Green Bank is emerging as a nexus for community climate investment – a platform where residents, foundations, and institutions can come together around a shared stake in Connecticut’s green future. Together, the two organizations are building what they believe can become a model coalition of climate project investors: one community, one offering, one project at a time.  

Green Liberty Notes Round 16 Now Available 

While working toward these specific project raises, the Green Bank will continue to offer quarterly Green Liberty Notes through the Honeycomb Credit platform. A Note celebrating Earth Month is now open, and as with the prior raises, investors can participate with as little as $100. To learn more, please visit www.greenlibertynotes.com.  

 

About Honeycomb Credit 

Honeycomb Credit is a Pittsburgh-based financial technology company and SEC/FINRA-registered Funding Portal, founded in 2018. The nation’s leading platform for debt-based Regulation Crowdfunding, Honeycomb has facilitated over $50 million in community-backed capital for more than 600 businesses and projects across the country. In 2025, Honeycomb integrated Raise Green to accelerate its climate finance strategy. Learn more at honeycombcredit.com. 

Connecticut Clean Energy Industry Reaches Record Employment, Driving Economic Growth Statewide

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Clean energy jobs grow four times faster than overall employment; sector supports nearly 47,300 jobs and contributes $7 billion to Connecticut’s economy

HARTFORD, Conn. — April 7, 2026 — Connecticut’s clean energy industry continued its strong growth in 2024, reaching record employment levels and reinforcing its role as a key driver of economic growth and job creation across the state, according to the newly released 2025 Connecticut Clean Energy Industry Report.

The report finds that clean energy employment grew 2.8 percent from 2023 to 2024, adding more than 1,200 jobs and bringing total clean energy employment to nearly 47,300 workers statewide. Clean energy job growth was four times faster than overall statewide employment growth, accounting for more than 10 percent of all net job growth in Connecticut over that period.

“Connecticut’s clean energy economy continues to deliver real results for workers, businesses, and communities across the state,” said Brenda Watson, Chair of the Joint Committee of the Energy Efficiency Board and Connecticut Green Bank. “These findings confirm that investments in clean energy are also investments in economic growth, competitiveness, and good-paying jobs.”

Clean Energy Delivers $7 Billion to Connecticut’s Economy

Beyond job growth, the clean energy sector generated approximately $7.0 billion in Gross Regional Product (GRP) in 2024, representing 2.4 percent of Connecticut’s total economic output. Manufacturing, construction, and professional services drove much of this impact, underscoring the sector’s expanding role across the state’s supply chains.

Construction activity within clean energy became significantly more productive in 2024, with the sector’s economic output increasing nearly 9 percent year over year, even as employment levels held steady, which suggests a shift toward higher‑value, more capital‑intensive projects, or more efficient clean energy construction projects.

Energy Efficiency Leads, While Emerging Sectors Accelerate

Energy efficiency remained the backbone of Connecticut’s clean energy workforce, supporting more than 36,000 jobs, or nearly 77 percent of all clean energy employment. Job growth was particularly strong in high‑efficiency HVAC, renewable heating and cooling, and advanced building materials.

At the same time, emerging sectors showed rapid acceleration:

  • Clean Grid and Energy Storage recorded the fastest growth rate of any clean energy sector, expanding 6.6 percent year over year and surpassing a milestone of 1,000 workers statewide. This growth was led primarily by Clean Storage.
  • Clean energy manufacturing employment grew more than 8 percent, reflecting growing in‑state supply‑chain activity.
  • Wholesale trade jobs tied to clean energy rose nearly 12 percent, pointing to a robust project pipeline and continued investment momentum.

Clean Energy Growth Reaches Every Corner of the State

Clean energy employment grew across all regions of Connecticut in 2024. New London County posted the fastest growth rate, while Fairfield County added the largest number of new clean energy jobs. Hartford, Fairfield, and New Haven counties together accounted for more than three‑quarters of the state’s clean energy workforce, demonstrating the industry’s broad geographic footprint.

Policy Leadership Supporting Jobs and Competitiveness

The report highlights how Connecticut’s clean energy and climate policies continue to support workforce demand, infrastructure investment, and long‑term economic competitiveness. Recent actions focused on energy efficiency, grid modernization, energy storage, and clean transportation are helping position Connecticut as a regional leader in the clean energy economy.

The 2025 Connecticut Clean Energy Industry Report was commissioned by the Connecticut General Assembly’s Joint Committee and produced by BW Research Partnership, with support from the Connecticut Green Bank, Eversource, and United Illuminating. Employment data are drawn from the U.S. Department of Energy’s U.S. Energy and Employment Report.

To view the full report, visit www.ctgreenbank.com/strategy-impact/societal-impact/