Photo: Gary Hatten, Earthrise Energy Representative, Sandy Deters, ERBA Housing Counseling Coordinator, Cherly Toohey, Communications and Events Manager with Earthrise Energy and Emre Ozmen, Director of Development for Earthrise Energy. Photo submitted by ERBA
For Immediate Release – September 19, 2025
Embarras River Basin Agency Receives $100,000 Grant from Earthrise Energy for Home Repair Program
The Embarras River Basin Agency (ERBA) has received a $100,000 grant from Earthrise Energy to support critical home repairs for low-income families in Cumberland and Coles Counties. The funding will provide structural and storm damage repairs to help families remain safely in their homes.
The storm season of 2025 has been particularly destructive in east-central Illinois, with high winds and widespread property damage compounding already urgent housing needs. This grant will support the repair of many homes, with an average cost of $12,500 per project. By addressing storm-related damage and structural issues, the program helps families stabilize their living situations and avoid displacement.
“ERBA has been committed to serving vulnerable families in our region for decades, and this partnership with Earthrise Energy allows us to continue that mission in a very tangible way,” said Cathy Feltner, Executive Director of ERBA. “For the families we serve, safe and stable housing is the foundation for everything else—health, education, and economic security.”
Since its founding in 1965, ERBA has worked to meet the needs of at-risk and low-income individuals and families through programs that foster stability, community involvement, and self-sufficiency. The agency partners with federal and state agencies, local businesses, and community organizations to deliver services that improve quality of life for families throughout the Embarras River Basin region.
“Access to safe and stable housing is fundamental to community well-being,” said Talya Tavor, Director of Community Engagement at Earthrise Energy. “We are proud to support ERBA’s home repair program and its long-standing work to help families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.”
This is the second grant Earthrise Energy has awarded to ERBA in 2025. Earthrise previously provided a $20,000 grant that supported foreclosure prevention services, further underscoring its commitment to strengthening communities across east-central Illinois.
Earthrise Energy’s RISE Grant program supports initiatives that strengthen communities through investments in education, mental health, and community development. Through this program, Earthrise has awarded nearly $2 million in grants to organizations across Illinois. The Earthrise RISE Grant program is fully funded by Earthrise Energy’s own profits as a Public Benefit LLC. This reflects our commitment to reinvesting in the communities we serve. Earthrise Energy does not apply for, or receive, any government grants to support this program.
Earthrise Energy, an independent power producer, owns and operates 1.7 gigawatts of natural gas generation capacity and is developing 1.5 gigawatts of solar projects in the Midwest, including two Gibson City projects now under construction.
Cumberland and Coles residents can contact Sandy Deters, ERBA Housing Counseling Coordinator at 217-331-7031 or sandyd@erbainc.org, to find out more about this home repair grant.
For more information about the Embarras River Basin Agency, check out: https://www.facebook.com/EmbarrasRiverBasinAgency
For more information about Earthrise Energy, visit: https://www.earthriseenergy.com
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