ESA gives back to South Hill, VA with local community grants

South Hill, VA - ESA’s Marrow Street Solar Farm Community Grant Program has awarded funding to five community-based organizations who are making positive impacts locally in community revitalization, environmental sustainability, education support or healthy living.

The organizations awarded were South Hill Lions Club, South Hill Revitalization Committee, South Hill Breadbox, Rotary Club of South Hill, and Imagination Library of Mecklenburg County.

“Working with local organizations and helping them achieve more is what our company stands for. Such amazing organizations that are dedicated to improving South Hill every day have our gratitude and partnership,” said Justin Vandenbroeck, Executive Vice President at ESA. “Their work motivates us, and we are eager to provide economic relief for low-to-moderate income community members who face high electricity costs.”

"The Lions Club will be able to provide more glasses, possibly provide at least one more $500 scholarship to graduating seniors this year,” said Lisa Clary, Membership Chair/Public Image Chair of South Hill Lions Club. “We also help our local Fire and Rescue Departments with a financial donation as well as well as other organizations on the state or district level such as Lions of Virginia Foundation, Leader Dogs and more,”

"It will provide an opportunity to assist with community clean-ups, beautification of the Town of South Hill and to make it more inviting to tours, residents and to those that call South Hill home,” said Melissa Morris, VP of South Hill Revitalization Committee.

"We are so grateful to have this Grant money to be able to provide fresh fruits and vegetables and other necessities for the clients we serve monthly. This will be such a big help in providing for the needs of our community,” said Amber Thomas, President of South Hill Breadbox.

"This will allow us to support our scholarship fundraiser program as we raise money to offer scholarships," said Lisa Clary, President Elect 2023-2024 for Rotary Club of South Hill.

"The grant from Marrow Street Solar Farm Community Grant allows the Imagination Library of Mecklenburg County to provide books, mailed to children aged 0-5 each month at no cost to the family,” said Leslie Williford, Director of Imagination Library of Eastern Mecklenburg County. “Our partnerships with civic groups, churches, and businesses enable the Imagination Library to work with the four elementary schools to improve literacy and learning among young children of our County.”

ESA is in the process of developing a 2 MW AC community solar farm on approximately 9 acres of land in South Hill for low-to-moderate income residents who are currently Dominion Energy customers. They will be able to “subscribe” to the Marrow Street Solar Farm as part of the Virginia Shared Solar Program and save money on their electric bill. The project is expected to come online in late 2024.

ESA has successfully developed six small community solar projects in southern Virginia.