June 5th, 2009

From Green Right Now Reports

Seedco announced today it has received a $500,000 grant from the Starr International Foundation in Switzerland to launch an effort to help New York City’s low-income workers train for and connect to jobs in the emerging building energy retrofit industry.

An organization focused on initiatives that help low-income people, Seedco also will create opportunities for small businesses to enter and expand into the energy retrofit field. In the coming years, the industry is expected to expand as a result of government-regulated efficiency mandates and demand for energy efficiency buildings.

Seedco said it will work with its network of community-based and training organizations to provide low-income job seekers and workers with training, job placement, and career advancement services. At the same time, Seedco will provide a range of business services, including access to financing, assistance with permits and certifications, and help with hiring and retaining staff, to the many small business contractors positioned to perform retrofit work.

Seedco plans to initially focus its efforts on the Weatherization Assistance Program, a federal program that helps low-income families cut their home energy costs using weatherization projects such as sealing windows and insulating walls and ceilings. The funding was greatly expanded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and this new program will increase the number of building energy retrofit jobs for the communities served.