On Monday we welcomed Adam Czamanske, Director of Development, and Anne-Marie Williams, Director of Community Relations, from Geenex Solar. Adam and Anne-Marie helped dispel some myths about solar, shared the advantages of solar projects and Geenex' involvement in our local community, and answered many great questions from club members.
Geenex' Mission is to create a more sustainable future through solar energy development. They are intentional about giving back, providing educational opportunities and building partnerships within our rural and farm communities to assure that future.
Myth: Solar development takes away jobs.
Fact: There are currently over 500,000 jobs in solar + wind + storage including in the areas of American-made manufacturing parts and raw materials such as U.S. Steel. Solar development also brings local jobs to the community during construction.
Fact: There are currently over 500,000 jobs in solar + wind + storage including in the areas of American-made manufacturing parts and raw materials such as U.S. Steel. Solar development also brings local jobs to the community during construction.
Myth: Solar farms cause property values to drop.
Fact: Studies show that solar farms do not negatively impact nearby property values. School quality is the #1 driver of property values and taxes paid by solar farms generate significant tax revenue for the counties and the communities where they are built with schools being the largest beneficiary.
Fact: Studies show that solar farms do not negatively impact nearby property values. School quality is the #1 driver of property values and taxes paid by solar farms generate significant tax revenue for the counties and the communities where they are built with schools being the largest beneficiary.
HOW GEENEX SOLAR IMPACTS OUR COMMUNITY.... Now...
- Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce Member
- Crossroads United Way
- Dolly Parton Imagination Library
- The Great Cardboard Boat Race
- Elkhart County Fair: Tram Sponsor
- Elkhart Environmental Center: EnviroFest - Booth Sponsor
- Wellfield Botanic Gardens: Taste of the Gardens Sponsor
- Elkhart County YWCA: Run, Jane, Run Hole Sponsor
- The HUB, Hearts United for Bristol: Golf Outing Hole Sponsor
- Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce: Golf Outing Hole Sponsor
HOW GEENEX SOLAR WILL IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY....in the Future...
- Stable, predictable sources of power
- tax revenue
- help improve local infrastructure
- Job Creation
- Temporary & full-time employment
- Economic Stimulation including construction workers spending their money within the county on food, lodging and entertainment
- Energy independence
- Locally produced energy; decreasing need for foreign energy
About Geenex:
Geenex is a solar developer focused on utility-scale solar projects. Since 2012, we have been actively developing within the PJM territory. Our team members live and work in the communities that we serve. We take pride in our team's focus on ensuring our work supports our stakeholders and our communities. We are committed to providing comprehensive guidance and education throughout the solar development process.
Geenex is a solar developer focused on utility-scale solar projects. Since 2012, we have been actively developing within the PJM territory. Our team members live and work in the communities that we serve. We take pride in our team's focus on ensuring our work supports our stakeholders and our communities. We are committed to providing comprehensive guidance and education throughout the solar development process.
Established in 2012, our company's foundation rests on the principles of trust, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to fulfilling our promises. We possess extensive experience and the agility to solve complex problems efficiently. We approach our work with intentionality and maintain unwavering honesty when engaging with all project stakeholders.
For more visit: https://www.geenexsolar.com/
Club Announcements:
- From Terri Rickel: Please login to your ignite app on your phone to log volunteer hours. Once you sign-in, look for the to the sight, you can enter your volunteer/service hours, under the volunteer tab, "Taste of the Gardens". If you need any help with logging in, let Andrew or another board member know so that they may assist you.
- Goshen Club's "Freedom Walk", set for Saturday, September 7. Registration starts at 8:00, with the walk/run beginning at 9 AM. This year the event will be held at Mill Race Trail; 324 W. Washington Street; Goshen, IN. Attached additional information may be found on the event.
- Kayak Trip - Sunday, Sept 8, 2024 12:00-3:30 PM approximately; Route: Oxbow Park to Studebaker Park; Kayak drop off at NOON at Oxbow Park 23033 CR 45, Goshen, IN 46528; Admission to Oxbow Park is $3 per vehicle or a County Parks Annual Pass. Park 1/2 of our cars at end point at Studebaker Park 1020 McDonald Street, Elkhart, IN 46516 · After the paddle, we will shuttle folks back to the cars still at Oxbow. If you do not have a kayak just meet at Studebaker around 12:15PM, and we will shuttle you to the start point. If you are willing to shuttle people and/or if you need a kayak and/or a life jacket, please let Jamison know - cell 831-324-3398. Bring sunblock, sunglasses, water, hats, snacks as desired. *Life jackets are required to be on each kayak as per Indiana DNR. Some folks like to go to lunch after. Totally optional.
RSVP at this link: https://www.IsMyRotaryClub.org/RSVP/Index.cfm?EventID=77770616 Or email or contact Julie Cotton or Jamison Czarnecki. - Club Guest and South Bend Rotarian Ellen Williams, executive director for the Elkhart Education Foundation, announced a school supply drive. The Club will host a Yellow Cardboard Bus Supply Drop Box in the month of August, YOU CAN HELP! Bring in items from the list below to fulfill teacher's requests for supplies for any of their students who cannot afford the supplies they need. Here's a list of items you can bring: Binders (1 and 2 inch), Colored Pencils (12 count), Composition Notebooks, Copy Paper, Crayons (24 count), Dry Erase Markers, Earbuds, Loose Leaf Paper, Glue (bottles and sticks), Highlighters, Index Cards (lined and blank), Paintbrushes, Pencils, Pencil Sharpeners, Pens, Pocket Folders, Rulers, Scissors, Washable Markers, Watercolor Paints. For details on the donation program visit their website at: https://www.elkhartedfoundation.org/supply-store-2/
- It's placemat sponsorship time! $375 placemat sponsorship supports the Interact Club activities for the upcoming year. Please contact Tony Warning to get your name or business name and logo on the placemat!
- Miles for Myeloma Bike Ride – Saturday, September 21, meet at 9 a.m. at Studebaker Park behind Mary Beck Elementary School. Money raised goes to IU Simon Center for Cancer Research. There is a big fundraising ride in Indianapolis that weekend, but we wanted to do something local to honor two Elkhart Rotarians that died of myeloma. We’ll take the Elkhart Greenway to the Maplehart trail to Goshen. From there we’ll join the Pumpkinvine and head towards Middlebury. About halfway between Goshen and Middlebury is an ice cream stand called Mooeys that has great ice cream. Don Stohler picks up the tab at Mooeys for all riders! Many of the group will turn around and make the return trip back to Elkhart. Some participants are more ambitious and are welcome to continue the Pumpkinvine towards Middlebury and Shipshewana. Roundtrip from Studebaker Park to Mooeys and back is approximately 32 miles. For more information contact Luke Lefever or Don Stohler.
- Eric Garton thanked all Rotarians and volunteers who supported Taste of the Gardens on Sunday, August 25. Thanks to EVERYONE who made Taste a successful and enjoyable event for our community, benefitting both Wellfield and local restaurants, caterers, and vendors.