Mott Community College and Cypress Creek Renewables today announced a partnership to invest in Michigan’s solar energy workforce. The initiative establishes a Solar Program Fund at Mott Community College with a $20,000 grant from Cypress Creek Renewables.
The new fund will assist Mott Community College in developing programming centered around renewable energy coursework, as well as providing scholarships for students pursuing careers in solar energy. Cypress Creek’s grant will specifically focus on providing assistance to women, veterans and ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce.
“We are thrilled to launch our first partnership with a solar company and specifically with Cypress Creek, a national leader in solar,” said Mott Community College President Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea. “As solar grows across Michigan, our community will be prepared to fill these jobs.”
Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said, “Investment in our community colleges is essential to creating new opportunities for our community. I applaud Mott Community College and Cypress Creek for this innovative collaboration that will provide training for our region’s growing clean energy economy.”
The solar industry currently employs more than 4,100 people across the state. Solar advocates are hoping that number will grow soon, as more independent power producers begin developing and building projects in Michigan.
“The Flint & Genesee region has long been a leader in clean energy through the efforts of the E3 Innovation Network,” said Tim Herman, CEO, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “We’re focused on connecting businesses with green products and services, and connecting individuals with green jobs. So, we’re proud to welcome Cypress Creek Renewables and utility scale solar to our community, and we’re excited that this partnership may lead to more jobs in clean energy in our community.”
Cypress Creek Renewables is a national solar developer that constructs, owns and operates solar facilities throughout the United States. The company is working to develop local solar projects across Michigan.
“Our partnership with Mott Community College will help ensure that the solar industry has access to the right people – now and in the future – as we build out our growing pipeline of solar projects throughout Michigan,” said Cypress Creek Director of Development Joe Cottle. Cottle, a Jackson County resident, manages the company’s development efforts in the state.
This partnership with Mott Community College is a part of Cypress Creek’s workforce development initiative. The company’s aim is to strengthen the U.S. energy workforce through proactive investment in job training and workforce development. Cypress Creek previously announced partnerships with Kankakee Community College in Illinois, Hudson Valley Community College in New York, Greenville Technical College in South Carolina, and Cape Fear Community College in North Carolina.
About Cypress Creek Renewables
Cypress Creek Renewables believes solar energy makes the world safer, cleaner and better. Our team solves problems to successfully develop, build and operate solar facilitates across the United States. With 2.2 gigawatts of solar energy deployed in more than a dozen states, Cypress Creek Renewables is one of the country’s leading solar companies. For more information, please visit, ccrenew.com.
Mott Community College is committed to excellence in education and offering services that cultivate student success and improve the overall quality of life in a multicultural community. With more than 100 academic and occupational degree programs, we help students prepare to achieve more in an ever-changing economy. Through university transfer agreements, high-demand associate’s degree programs and one-year certification programs, we help ensure that all Mott students are ready to get more out of life.