Earthrise Energy Partners with ERBA to Provide Lifeline to Homeowners Facing Foreclosure

Sandy Deters, Housing Counseling Coordinator with ERBA, Cathy Feltner, ERBA Executive Director, Christian Labeck, Earthrise Energy Development Analyst, Nicole Vaughn, Earthrise Energy Project Developer and Justin Pau, Earthrise Energy Associate Developer. Photo submitted by ERBA

For Immediate Release – Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Grant to Help At-Risk Families and Seniors Facing Financial Hardship

Earthrise Energy recently awarded Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc. (ERBA) a $15,000 RISE Grant to help those in need in Cole and Cumberland counties avoid foreclosure.

“ERBA is incredibly grateful for the support of community partners like Earthrise Energy. Current economic conditions have left many seniors and families struggling. The Earthrise community grant is a lifeline for many homeowners, especially seniors on fixed incomes,” said Sandy Deters, ERBA Housing Counseling Coordinator. “ERBA is fortunate to have strong community supporters, including companies like Earthrise Energy, who are committed to supporting the residents of Central Illinois.”

The grant will help fund a comprehensive foreclosure prevention program to assist homeowners facing financial hardship, providing one-on-one counseling, financial education workshops, and direct financial assistance for past-due property taxes and mortgage payments.

As a leading energy provider in Illinois, Earthrise Energy owns and operates five natural gas plants, including the Shelby County Energy Center in Neoga, the Gibson City Energy Center, and the Tilton Energy power plant in Tilton in central Illinois. The company is also building a 150-megawatt solar facility in Springs Point Township.

“Homes are where families are built and cherished memories are made. Helping to provide the stability needed for families to feel secure and stay in their homes is incredibly rewarding,” said Earthrise Energy Project Developer Nicole Vaughn. “Assisting residents is one of the most gratifying aspects of our work and reflects Earthrise Energy’s commitment to the local communities where we operate and are building projects.”

Earthrise Energy founded its RISE Grant program to invest in and partner with local nonprofit organizations like ERBA that provide critical services to residents where the company has operations. Since the RISE Grant program was founded, the company has committed more than $400,000 in grants and sponsorships to support excellence in education, protect the environment, and encourage vibrant local communities in Illinois.

“Our commitment to building strong communities is at the heart of Earthrise Energy,” said Emre Ozmen, Director of Development. “That’s why we are thrilled to partner with ERBA. It is an incredible organization that works day in and day out to improve the lives of countless people in Illinois. We are thrilled to support their efforts and make a tangible difference in people’s lives.”

For more information on how you can support ERBA, go to erbainc.org.

Earthrise Energy

Earthrise Energy, PBLLC, is an independent power producer with a mission to reduce power sector greenhouse gas emissions faster than ever before. The company acquires, owns, and operates legacy fossil fuel assets and repurposes the transmission infrastructure for renewable energy development projects, bringing them online faster than typical greenfield renewable energy projects. Earthrise has 1.7 GW of gas-fired generation capacity and has a solar development pipeline of more than 1.5 GW. For more information about Earthrise Energy, go to earthriseenergy.com.

Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc.

The Embarras River Basin Agency, Inc. (ERBA), is a Community Action Agency dedicated to serving the needs of at-risk, low-income individuals and families. The common goal of all programs within the agency is to foster community involvement, professional partnerships, and trust between all entities. The agency and staff members are committed to providing life skills that will assist individuals and families in attaining a higher level of stability, self-sufficiency, and a better quality of life. For more information about ERBA go to erbainc.org.