In Worcester, Putting Community First
Partner Profile: Main South Community Development Corporation
by Liam Davidson
In 1986, a group of Worcester, Massachusetts residents concerned by decline in their neighborhood and a shortage of affordable housing banded together to create the Main South Community Development Corporation—a 501 (c) (3) dedicated to creating opportunity in their neighborhood while advancing racial equity and social justice.
A few months back, Sunwealth was proud to partner with our friends at Resonant Energy and SunBug Solar to install a rooftop solar array on a recently renovated apartment building. Over its lifetime, the system will provide Main South CDC with over $15,000 in energy savings while reducing its carbon emissions by 352 metric tons.
(With Resonant Energy and SunBug Solar, Sunwealth recently completed a rooftop solar installation for Main South CDC)
Those savings will allow Main South to continue its critical work and advocacy. In a city where 1 in 5 live in poverty and childhood hunger rates remain stubbornly above state averages, Executive Director Steve Teasdale noted the money saved can be invested in the organization instead. Existing programs aid affordable housing development, benefit first-time homebuyers, and teach local teens essential job training skills; while programs started during the Covid-19 pandemic help tenants apply for rent assistance and small businesses secure PPP loans.
As seen in Worcester, a democratized solar economy can play an integral role in community development. “Sunwealth sees the Main South CDC project as 100% aligned with our mission and values,” adds senior Project Developer Brooklynn Abaroa, “building high-impact projects in diverse communities… projects which combat both climate change and inequality.” By stabilizing energy costs, returning savings to customers, and delivering high-paying jobs to local developers and installers, solar projects like the ones on Main South CDC and Mustard Seed offer impactful, intersectional benefits.
For Steve Teasdale and his team, the new rooftop installation is a natural evolution in the organization’s history and mission. “We are,” he said, “interested in playing our part.”
Liam Davidson is an Associate at Sunwealth, and is passionate about building a cleaner, more equitable future for all of us to share. Outside of the office, Liam enjoys getting out for a row or a bike ride.