On September 1st, 2011 Metro CERT held a reception for its 2010-2011 seed grant recipients. The eight projects that were funded in the region are now completed, and the event was a chance for recipients to celebrate and share stories about the projects. Attendees included seed grant recipients, steering committee, review committee and CERTs staff members.
The highlight of the event was hearing about the incredible community projects that were funded by the seed grants, from the perspective of the recipients. The diversity of the projects really modeled a range of technologies, partnerships, and engagement strategies.
Pat Collins of Chisago Lakes Middle School explained the impact of the seed grants well by calling it a “hope grant” that enabled him to leverage additional funding by demonstrating a commitment to the project. Pat worked with students at Chisago Lakes Middle School to install a 44-panel, 10 kW solar array.
The event was hosted by the Bakken Museum, a Metro CERT affiliate as well as a seed grant recipient. Bakken staff Kelly Finnerty led attendees on a tour of the Green Energy Art Garden—whose feasibility study was partially funded by a Metro CERT seed grant.
We also have published case studies on the Metro CERT seed grant projects, all of which are now available:
- Project Independence
- Como Home Energy Efficiency Project
- Zephyr Wind Project
- Energy Efficient Homes Initiative
- Home Energy Squad Outreach & Training Project
- Renewable Energy Exhibits Feasibility Study
Photos from the event:
