Earthrise Energy has awarded a $25,000 grant to Leaders Innovating for Tomorrow (LIFT) in Mattoon, Illinois, to support career training and workforce development programs for local students. This funding will help expand hands-on learning opportunities, equipping students with essential skills in high-demand industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and technology.
“I’m proud of our regional districts and their commitment to preparing students for life beyond the classroom and encouraging their students to attend LIFT,” shares Superintendent Tim Condron. “At LIFT, we believe in empowering students through practical, career-focused education. This grant will expand access to our programs, allowing more learners to gain industry-recognized certifications and the experience needed to thrive in today’s job market. We’re grateful for our partnership with Earthrise Energy and the impact it’s having on our students.”
LIFT serves regional high school students providing them with state-of-the-art facilities and industry-aligned coursework to prepare them for the evolving job market. With Earthrise Energy’s support, the organization will be able to provide additional scholarships to students across the 28 different high schools in the region.
“Investing in workforce development is key to building strong communities,” said Emre Ozmen, Director of Development at Earthrise Energy. “As we continue to grow our operations in Illinois, we recognize the importance of equipping the next generation with the skills and resources they need to thrive, and we are proud to support LIFT’s mission.”
Earthrise Energy, an independent power producer, owns five natural gas peaker plants in Illinois and is developing more than 1.5 gigawatts of solar power in the state, including the 150 MW Northwest Solar Project recently approved by the Cumberland County Board. Through its RISE Grant program, Earthrise Energy has committed over $580,000 in grants, sponsorships, and community initiatives, supporting local education, workforce development, and environmental stewardship in the Shelby, Coles, and Cumberland areas.
Earthrise Energy
Earthrise Energy, PBLLC, is an independent power producer with a mission to reduce power sector greenhouse gas emissions faster than ever before. The company acquires, owns, and operates existing power plants and leverages the transmission infrastructure to accelerate renewable energy development, bringing projects online faster than typical greenfield development. Earthrise has 1.7 GW of natural gas-fired generation capacity and 1.5 GW of planned solar projects. For more information about Earthrise Energy, go to earthriseenergy.com.