Urban Development & Finance Blog

WBC Enterprises to Join in Community Outreach Effort at Local Church

admin — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:54:32 +0000

RIVERSIDE, Calif., June 10, 2010 — Southern California Edison (SCE) and Whitlock Ballton Chaplan (WBC) Enterprises, a faith-based organization, will host an outreach effort on Saturday at a local church to help SCE customers learn about ways to lower their electric bills and improve their chances of getting a job.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., information on discounts for qualifying customers and energy-efficiency programs will be provided at Life Church of God in Christ, 3349 Rubidoux Blvd. There also will be workshops on supplier-diversity opportunities, résumé writing and job interviewing skills.

“We’re committed to helping our customers save energy and money, especially with so many families facing financial challenges,” said John R. Fielder, president of SCE. “Plans are under way to hold quarterly outreach events like this throughout the remainder of the year in other communities we serve.”

WBC, which is led by Mark Whitlock, pastor of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Irvine, comprises church and community leaders whose mission is to economically empower impoverished communities by partnering with the public and private sectors.

“We encourage everyone to get information on lowering their electric bill through available opportunities,” said Whitlock. “In these tough economic times, it’s a shame to miss any chance to save some money or get a tip on something that could lead to getting a job.

Ron Gibson, pastor of the Life Church of God in Christ, said, “It’s important to hold events like this that bring resources and information to the community.”

About Southern California Edison

An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

Scott Chaplan Leads Capacity Building Series

admin — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:11:00 +0000

Scott Chaplan, Executive Chair of the Urban Group of Companies, was a featured speaker at “The How To’s of Faith and Community-Based Non Profit Development & Management” lecture held at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Los Angeles Branch. The event was presented by the Levital Network Education Foundation and took place on Thursday, April 30 in dowtown Los Angeles.

Mr. Chaplan, an active faith based and non-profit practitioner who serves on numerous boards of such groups in Los Angeles, has spent 15 years building the Urban Group of Companies into a diversified equity investment and services company with 104 employees and over 40 properties within 5 states. Urban companies that directly serve the faith-based and non-profit spaces include Urban Seminars and Urban Consulting.

Mr. Chaplan, a lawyer by training, was a panelist for the first seminar, “Non-Profit Development - Understanding the Procedure, Purpose & Principles” on which he spoke of the legal purposes for incorporating a non-profit organization, whether sacred or secular, and the procedures and principles that should guide an organization through the process. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the discussion, having helped form and having served on the founding boards of directors of several secular and faith-based non-profit organizations.

The second bottom line at work: Green Jobs in California

admin — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:05:00 +0000

This story in the Sacramento Bee highlights the importance of developing the green economy in California. A huge wind farm in Solano County was just unveiled last Thursday. Shiloh II will has the capacity to deliver 150 megawatts of electricity through its 75 massive GE wind turbines, each of which is 30 stories tall and can generate 2 megawatts of power per day. The Bee story was a bit about renewable power and a lot about the power of the green economy to renew lives.

An interesting side story to the launch of the wind farm was that renewable power was also used to power the event. Take a look at this news footage (and here) and note first that the stories feature those who were laid off in the finance and real estate industries, and were able to find work in renewable energy.

In the first, note where each of the interviews takes place: in front of Mobile Solar Power Systems(TM) that were provided by Pure Power Distribution of Santa Monica, another example of the green economy putting people to work.

New Markets Tax Credits

admin — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 13:52:00 +0000

Now that the NOAA (Notice of Allocation Availability) has been published for the seventh annual round of the New Markets Tax Credits program, we and our tax credit industry colleagues share optimism amidst concern in the current economic environment. Tax credit investors require profits to claim the credits, and profits at many of the industry’s biggest investors have fallen precipitously. Some of the biggest industry participants are out of the market altogether.

We are encouraged, however, to see that the 2008 allocation round may be enhanced retroactively by $1.5 billion, and the 2009 round may be enhanced by $1.5 billion as well. This demonstrates the government’s confidence in the program, in which Community Development Entities have raised $12.6 billion in equity since its inception in 2002.

We support the NMTC program wholeheartedly, as even a relatively moderate allocation (by program standards) of $11 million in NMTCs has proven to be strong fertilizer for projects in some of the most economically underserved areas of South Los Angeles, namely the Bethany Square project. Bethany Square and other projects in the immediate area will only succeed with the kind of private investment enhancement that NMTCs provide.

Green Jobs Create Economic Energy

admin — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:40:00 +0000

In a recent story, “Up on the Roof, New Jobs in Solar Power”, the New York Times reports strong economic activity in the renewable energy sector. And despite the downturn, many in the industry predict continued growth.

Barry Cinammon, CEO of Akeena in California, anticipates that his solar business “will increase 40 percent from last year.”

This anecdotal evidence corroborates what The Solar Energy Industries Association reports in its “Blueprint for Job Creation and Economic Security”, (updated December 11, 2008) which outlines how the solar industry, in particular, has the potential to create “more jobs, per Megawatt, than any other source of energy.”

The jobs potential for renewable power industries is especially strong in the inner city, according to Van Jones of the Ella Baker Center who, along with Majora Carter of the Majora Carter Group has started an organization called Green for All.

Green For All is a strong proponent of “green collar jobs” which can be channeled and encouraged in the inner city, which has a disproportionately high unemployment rate - and therefore a high number of trainable men and women who are ready to work in all facets of growing renewable energy industries - manufacture, installation, design, sales, leasing, you name it.

Check out the Green Jobs Guidebook that was created in collaboration between the Environmental Defense Fund and the Ella Baker Center.

- - Norris Lozano

Governor Schwarzenegger sets Renewable Portfolio Standard target

admin — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:27:00 +0000

We commend California Governor Schwarzenegger for his effort to streamline the permitting process for renewable energy solutions in California. Last week, the Governor signed Executive Order S-14-08 to “compel the California Energy Commission and the Department of Fish and Game to work more closely on dealing with conflicts between renewable energy developers and environmentalists over building power plants and transmission lines.” The story was reported across the state and the nation, as it also raises the requirement for utilities to provide 33 percent of utilities’ electrical power to come from renewable sources by 2030. The current law requires 20 percent by 2010. With this new law, California jumps further to the fore in the renewable energy field which, by many predictions, has the potential to generate thousands of new “green collar” jobs in the United States.

- Norris Lozano

From the ashes… a solar tax credit bill

admin — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:46:00 +0000

It’s been one of the wildest months in financial history, and watching the Energy Improvement and Extension Act of 2008 go down in flames was one among many shocks. The benefits that can pour forth from these stimulus programs are extraordinary in any market conditions, not the least of which are a great leap forward in America’s technology leadership, “green collar” jobs, a reduction in emissions, and reduced dependency on foreign oil.

So it was a surprise and relief to see the bill come back to life as part of the $700 billion relief package, passed by Congress and signed by the President this week. Many of us who are involved in green buildings and renewable energy development are looking forward utilizing these important tools to help create a triple bottom line opportunity within all of this economic turmoil.

-Norris Lozano

ecoAmerica Ranks Green Colleges

admin — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:53:00 +0000

It’s been a great pleasure and honor for me to serve on the board of ecoAmerica, a non-profit that helps connect relevant environmental concepts and actions with Americans’ everyday concerns. Two recent successes by the group are noteworthy: the GreenCareers program and the Princeton Review’s Green Ratings initiative. GreenCareers represents a partnership between MonsterTRAK, Environmental Defense and ecoAmerica, and delivers the first environmentally responsible recruitment website for college students and recent graduates, to help students secure jobs with companies that positively impact the environment. The Green Ratings initiative rates each of the colleges shown in The Best 368 Colleges, 2009 Edition, based on its environmental performance. 11 of the 369 colleges reviewed received a 99 point rating (out of 100) - what’s even more gratifying is that these schools are diverse geographically, in size and educational focus. The movement toward environmental sustainability on college campuses is diverse, vibrant and one hopes, a new source of pride and inspiration for young people.

-Norris Lozano

Bill Hayward’s Leadership

admin — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 16:12:00 +0000

I read this week in the Monterey County Herald that the Monterey County Business Council has granted its first Green Public Public-Private Partnership Award to Hayward Corporation and The Sustainability Academy for the EnviroSmart Program, which identifies environmentally preferred building materials. This award is a great honor for Bill Hayward and his company, and offers but a glimpse into what Bill has accomplished in the areas of sustainable forestry, greenbuilding, and sustainable product development over the past 15 years. As head of a California lumber company, Bill easily could have paid lip service to the environment while relocating operations to areas where ecological concerns are lower. But Bill is a Californian, and a man of deep personal commitment (that his title includes Chief Sustainability Officer is telling). He says, “We recognize the opportunity, accept the responsibility, and will lead the journey to environmental stewardship.” Chairman of the Board of the Forest Stewardship Council - US Division, and creator of several lines of sustainably produce products, Bill has also built the first LEED Gold truss manufacturing facility. Hayward walks the walk from FSC products to green building results. Congratulations on the recognition from the business community, Bill.

- Norris Lozano

Leveraging New Markets Tax Credits for Land Acquisition & Predevelopment Costs

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:28:00 +0000

The National Housing & Rehabilitation Association is holding its Summer Institute in Santa Fe this week, which will give me a great opportunity to talk about three important issues: urban development, sustainability, and how to pay for both.

I’ll be speaking on a panel entitled, “Leveraging New Markets Tax Credits for Land Acquisition & Predevelopment Costs” with two colleagues whom I respect a great deal: Herb Stevens and Greg Doran of Nixon Peabody.

The Bethany Square project’s acquisition and predevelopment expenses were partially financed utilizing an $11 million allocation of New Markets Tax Credits. The project, which we will discuss on the panel, is located in one of the most economically underserved neighborhoods in South Los Angeles (perhaps the US), about a mile from where the 1992 riots began. As many know, there has been no meaningful mixed-use development in the area in decades.

The project has the strong support of the Community Redevelopment Agency, the City Council, and is featured in the South Los Angeles 5-Year Plan, which is signed by the political leadership of the City of LA.

A key facet of our plan is to develop the project to LEED standards. For the last 6 years I led a team that structured and closed over $650 million in green buildings up to LEED Platinum - so we know how to do this, and we know how to finance it.

Which is where these topics - urban development and sustainable design - come together. Developing sustainable mixed-use real estate projects generates tax credits and other subsidy that help push the green features to higher and better levels. The benefits to investors, owners, tenants and users are broad and long lasting. Win - win - win - win.

I am looking forward to seeing colleagues and industry friends at this conference - there’s much to be done together.

- Norris Lozano