With this year's new federal stimulus funding to build our nation's infrastructure and a renewable energy future, comes breakthrough opportunities for the low income, struggling communities in our state.

Summit is providing innovative vocational training, job placement, and support in the areas of renewable and sustainable energy fields so that those from the most economic disparate communities can enter the economic mainstream. By training people of color and women in the skills of the future, Summit gives them access to these new green collar jobs thus multiplying the effectiveness of every federal dollar spent in Minnesota. When members of low income communities earn a living wage, they not only stop receiving government funds but pay taxes and spend more money in their neighborhoods. This has a domino effect: It creates the pride and stability we all want for ourselves, our families and the state of Minnesota.

We all want a strong economy built for a renewable energy future but we need people doing the hands-on work to make this happen. When some of those people come from communities of color and low-income areas, everyone in Minnesota benefits.

H.I.R.E. MN

HIRE Minnesota is working to ensure that public investments in infrastructure and renewable energy help lift people out of poverty, reduce racial disparities and contribute to healthier communities for all of us. HIRE brings people together with a vision of a new economy that works for all members of our community. Minnesota's unemployment rate is at an alarming 6.9 percent, and the unemployment rates in low-income communities and communities of color are much higher. And while our public institutions are making unprecedented investments to reverse those trends, they display a troubling pattern of failure to meet their goals for including people of color.

hiremn.org

Weatherization

Developing curriculum to meet the ever-changing demands of the workplace is critical to our mission. Our students, and partners, count on our programs to graduate skilled workers ready to do today's work. With 40 million dollars of the stimulus package earmarked to weatherize low-income housing, there is a huge demand for certified weatherization technicians.

Summit is proud to offer the state's premier Weatherization Technician Training Program to meet this demand. Our training programwas created by Summit and some of the nation's top subject experts including Sustainable Resource Center, Conservation Service Group, Center of Energy and Environment, and Community Action of Minneapolis. and includes:

• energy efficiency diagnostics
• bypass sealing
• insulation of foundations
• floors, walls, attic, and window retrofitting/replacement

Not only will our students be transforming their lives but will also be transforming our environment—building a renewable future that benefits all of us.

Green House