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Solar Power Bridging the Electricity Gap in Rural Malawi

Deogracias Benjamin Kalima

April 03, 2018 |

Greentumble |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Malawi, Makata

Solar power has long been thought of as the way to go to provide long-term environmentally friendly energy needs; however, the cost can deter those living in more remote areas. Cognizant of this, the firm Powered By Nature has begun investing in affordable solar powered torches, with products made for both business and individuals. Many locals in Malawi are finding that the benefits outweigh the cost, and they are in fact saving money by switching to solar powered lighting.

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Home at the Headwaters: After recovering from the loss of its founding industry, Three Forks looks to continue bucking the trend of small town Montana

Lewis Kendall

January 28, 2018 |

Bozeman Daily Chronicle |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Three Forks, Montana

Unlike many other small Montana towns, the community of Three Forks has managed to humbly thrive by investing in several economic drivers rather than rely solely on the railroad as its only large employer. With booming talc and cement plants as well as new entrepreneurial spirit, Three Forks remains steady and continues to renovate for tourists and town-folk alike.

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As environmentalists warn about water scarcity, these two companies are saving water and money

Jason Margolis

January 11, 2018 |

Public Radio International (PRI) |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Boston, Massachusetts

Monitoring usage incentivizes water-intensive companies to develop water-saving techniques. Boston-based nonprofit, CERES, helps companies like Pepsi and Levi’s develop more sustainable practices. For example, Pepsi recaptures more of its runoff and has replaced water with pressurized air in its cleaning process. Levi’s also replaced water with air, using ozone gas to treat its denim. Tracking and reducing water use improves efficiency and saves the companies money.

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How A Textile Factory Empowers Its All-Blind Work Crew

Alia Stearns

December 05, 2017 |

UPROXX |

Multi-Media |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Dallas, Texas

A startling 70% of blind persons in the United States are unemployed. The Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind is helping shift the understanding of what types of jobs are available to this population with a revolutionary factory built specifically for its blind employees. Each machine is retrofitted to be used safely and easily, empowering individuals to become more independent. This video takes you inside the factory to meet some of the workers.

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How ex-offenders get a second chance and a new career in rural Tennessee. Is it a model for Philly?

Jane M. Von Bergen

November 11, 2017 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Winchester, Tennessee

In rural Tennessee the unemployment rate can be very high, making it hard for inmates to find jobs upon their release, which then increases the rate of recidivism. The Rural Reentry Program has set up training programs for inmates while in jail in order for them to earn their certification and then find work at a local factory. This effort helps lower recidivism and balances the cost of imprisonment.

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Can these 'stovers' finally crack the clean cooking problem?

Catherine Cheney

October 26, 2017 |

Devex |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India, New Delhi, Delhi

It's been proven within the cookstove industry that providing free cleaner-energy stoves to those cooking with traditional stoves or over open flame does not work as planned. Inyenyeri, a Rwandan cookstove company however, is adding a twist to that method by giving away their cookstoves that reduce emissions by 98 to 99 percent compared to wood or charcoal stoves for free, as long as the consumer agrees to buying their wood fuel pellets.

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Manufacturing in Massachusetts: : Teaching a Younger Workforce New Skills

Frank Dutan

October 02, 2017 |

The GroundTruth Project |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Springfield, Massachusetts

Despite heavy pressure, attending college is not for everyone, and a university degree no longer guarantees job placement; meanwhile industries like manufacturing are facing a decline in interested, qualified workers. Various initiatives in Massachusetts are implementing accessible job training programs, especially for minorities, that are helping to place people in manufacturing jobs that provide improved economic opportunity, while hopefully positioning the state for burst of industrial growth.

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In Germany, Blue-Collar Jobs Provide Bulwark to Populism

Jack Ewing

September 21, 2017 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Germany, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia

With nearly one in five Germans working in manufacturing, the closing of steel mills and coal mines spelled trouble. Instead of despairing, blue-collar cities such as Dortmund leapt into the future. State and local officials in Dortmund expanded the technical university, gave start-up capital to entrepreneurs, and offered newly built office space to young companies. Unemployment is falling fast, and the city seems to have avoided the sense of alienation that has led to a rise in populist sentiment elsewhere.

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Chicago's Pullman Park Continues to Build, Create Jobs

Oscar Perry Abello

September 06, 2017 |

Next City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Chicago, Illinois

At the old site of Pullman railroad cars, Chicago has found some creative ways to foster development. A community bank created Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives, which uses neighborhood input to decide which projects to pursue. Emphasis is placed on projects with aligned values, such as Method, a B Corporation that manufactures soaps. Projects also aim to hire local and invest in local businesses.

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Why Salt Is This Power Plant's Most Valuable Asset

Molly A. Seltzer

August 04, 2017 |

Smithsonian |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, McIntosh, Alabama

One of the greatest challenges to integrating renewable energy sources into the power grid has been the issue of storage - where and how to keep power generated during off-hours (such as overnight) when demand is low. While batteries are on the rise as one solution, an Alabama power plant has discovered a natural way of storing energy until it is needed: pumping air into salt caverns.

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