Loan at a Glance:
PCG contributed a $750,000 loan to the project.
Project Summary:
The project will recycle organic waste (inedible food waste) to produce clean, renewable energy, compost for local food production, and green jobs for low-income residents. It is a high-impact project that will transform a vacant site into a vibrant green educational campus, and drive economic development in an underserved community. This project will include a bio digester to produce renewable energy, process food waste, and a recycling facility; a 5,400 square feet storage building for compost storage and pick-up; three acres of land to be farmed by Urban Growers Collective (UGC); and 20,000 square feet of outdoor market space/community garden center. The Green Era campus is anticipated to provide a strong basis for helping to promote healthy lifestyles and to ultimately help grow sustainable neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. The Green Era campus will create living wage jobs in a range of skill levels that are critically needed. It will also expand the landscape for new business and entrepreneurial endeavors to develop in food waste recycling, energy, landscape, and food production fields. Green Era’s work is prioritizing engaging minority- and women-owned businesses and hiring from “hard to employ” populations, such as ex-offenders, long-term unemployed people, people with disabilities, people lacking diplomas and/or specialized training.