The Green Economy as an Economic Development Tool

Minnesota has some of the largest racial disparity gaps in the country in terms of education, economic participation, income, employment, homeownership, and others; The green economy presents a unique opportunity to address climate change and poverty, and reduce these plaguing disparities, all at the same time.

By way of personal and professional experience, Jamez Staples has been working to create an equitable future for people of color while mitigating climate change. His lively talk will highlight Renewable Energy Partners and what they have been actively doing to create positive changes. 

About the Presenter:

Jamez Staples

President, Renewable Energy Partners

Jamez Staples is President and CEO of Renewable Energy Partners, a minority-owned solar installation and development company, focused on creating opportunities for communities of color to participate in the renewable energy sector.
 
Staples holds an AA from Normandale Community College and a BA in Business and Marketing from Concordia University. 
 
Staples has been recognized locally, regionally, and nationally for his work: Green for All/Climate Champion, Rocky Mountain Institute E-Lab, 40 under 40 Change Maker, Humphrey Policy Institute Fellow, Dr. Josie Johnson Fellow (AALF).
 
Staples serves on multiple volunteer committees/boards, which include: Old Highland Neighborhood Association, Chair of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) North Minneapolis Promise Zone, The City of Minneapolis Energy Vision Advisory Committee (EVAC) which informs (first of its kind) the Clean Energy Partnership, and the Metropolitan Council Transportation Advisory Board (TAB).

Staples is also founder of Northgate Development a real estate development firm responsible for the Minneapolis Apprenticeship Training Center in North Minneapolis (MATC). The MATC is a centralized location where adults, and students of the Minneapolis Public School System will have the ability to get hands on career and technical education following the CTECH model that is based in Rochester, MN.

The MATC is the first project along the East Plymouth Innovation Corridor (EPIC). Developments in Process:
1) City of Minneapolis Low income Community Solar Garden roof top of North High School. 1 MGW serves low income households with the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Public School District as a backup subscriber.
2) Old Home Plaza Community Solar 155 kw system on the recently converted Old Home Creamery which was recently converted to low income housing project.
3) Homework Studios art gallery in North Minneapolis.
4) Emerge second chance building a community solar garden.
5) Minneapolis Apprenticeship Training Center 150 kw system.