How did CERTs serve Minnesota communities in 2024?

Served More Than 300 Minnesota Communities

Expanded relationships across Minnesota:

• 175 local governments
• 9 Tribal governments
• 38 school districts
• 46 electric and gas utilities and their associations
• 87 regional steering committee members.

Extended community reach across 68 MN counties with over 1,100 Community Energy Ambassadors.

Supported learning opportunities through forums like the Community Energy Network, which brought together 117 local government staff to explore clean energy opportunities.

Provided direct assistance for programs like Solar for Schools: CERTs supported 43 schools within 22 districts in procuring solar, including International Falls, Pine Point, and Roseville.

Advancing Clean Energy for Economic Benefits

• Provided clean energy project assistance to 135 rural small businesses and farms across the state, like the AmericInn solar energy project in Tofte.

• Partnered with community-based organizations and community development financial institutions to provide clean energy technical assistance to small businesses in Minneapolis.

• Supported workforce development efforts in Mahnomen, St. Cloud, and in the Arrowhead region.

Growing Local Efforts with CERTs Seed Grants

Awarded 45 CERTs Seed Grants to community-led projects across Minnesota including:

• Detroit Lakes Library LED lighting upgrade.
• Granite Falls’ Neighbors United Resource Center Food Shelf and their energy saving initiative.
• Care and Share of Crookston’s energy efficient upgrades.
• Lighting upgrade for the Murray County 4-H building in Slayton.
• Just Housing’s EmPOWERment project, introducing green building to Duluth contractors.
• LifeGate Services’ clean energy outreach for African immigrant communities in Austin and Rochester.
• MN Interfaith Power and Light’s efforts expanding the base of Community Energy Ambassadors.