A first cohort of nascent green funds joined this new regional initiative led by SELF to prepare for the deployment of federal funds that aim to support the region’s transition to an equitable clean energy economy
Fort Pierce, Fla. – The Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF), America’s first local green bank and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), announced today its launch of the “Southern+ Climate Equity Accelerator” (SCEA+) to help prepare a group of green lenders – including emerging green banks and CDFIs – for deployment of public and private funds that will catalyze the region’s transition to a clean energy economy with a focus on low-income communities.
“The Southern+ Climate Equity Accelerator’s goal is to help prepare and build the capacity of nascent green banks, CDFIs, and community-based organizations (CBOs), which are most able to nimbly confront the environmental, economic, and political challenges unique to their communities,” said David Graber, SELF’s Director of Green Affordable Housing, who helped launch the initiative. To achieve this goal, SELF will share its expertise gained since 2010 to facilitate members’ access to technical assistance, loan capital, turnkey products, credit enhancements, data, impact measurement tools, contractor development strategies, grants, and a workforce development fund.
Read the full announcement here.
Although the Accelerator currently focuses on the South, participation is open to existing and emerging green banks, CDFIs, and other green community lenders across the country.
Inaugural participants include:
The Clean Energy Fund of Texas
Freedmen Green Bank & Trust
The North Carolina Clean Energy Fund
The South Carolina Clean Energy and Resilience Accelerator
Contact:
Mike Kennedy
Contact via email
772.448.3133