Photo Caption: Clēnera at the Wakefield Community Back-to-School Bashfor the 2025-26 school year.

Clēnera is pledging $20,000 to support the Community Coalition of Sussex to support the group’s No-Cost Transportation and Food Pantry programs.

The No-Cost Transportation program was created to help senior citizens and homebound residents reach doctor appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores and other essential services. The Food Pantry holds a monthly drive-through pickup, providing much-needed nutritional support to 250 households each month.

“Clēnera’s support for these programs will make a major, positive difference in the lives of Sussex County community members,” said Robert Hamlin, Executive Director of Community Coalition of Sussex. “Working with the Clēnera team has been wonderful. They have shown a genuine commitment to supporting the community finding ways to spread the blessings of their business in impactful ways.”

Build Better. Give More. Clēnera believes that a brighter future not only comes from building clean energy, but through enhancing community services and increasing access to opportunities. The phrase reflects the company’s approach to community investment.

Clēnera has been developing Blackwater Solar, a clean energy project in Sussex County, over the past few years. As this project promises economic opportunities and reliable energy for Virginia, Clēnera will expand it local partnerships and charitable giving in Sussex County.

“The people in Sussex County and the surrounding area are fantastic,” said Ed Rumler, Clēnera Senior Director of Development, “It’s been a joy to spend several years here, getting to learn about the county’s history and understanding how our project can positively contribute to it. The people here care deeply about their community and I’m glad Clēnera has been able to support the good work happening here. I look forward to supporting it for years to come as we bring the Blackwater Solar project to life.”

In addition to its support of the Community Coalition of Sussex, Clēnera has made the following donations to date:

• $5,000 to the Sussex Education Foundation to establish scholarships. These funds will support five $1,000 scholarships for students pursuing trade certification, workforce training related to clean energy, or STEM degrees.
• $3,500 to the Sussex Education Foundation. These funds will be used by the athletic department to purchase helmets and other safety equipment for the high school football team.
• $1,200 to Read to Them to establish the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Sussex County. This program mails high-quality, age-appropriate books each month to enrolled children from birth to age five in Sussex County.
• Clēnera bought 35 backpacks, complete with needed school supplies - a value of more than $1,500 - for 35 local children, because everyone deserves to arrive at the first day of school with the supplies needed to learn. This donation was made possible through the hard work of Mars Hills AME Zion Church, the Wakefield Foundation and other community churches who hosted the Wakefield Community Back to School Bash.  
• $1,250 to the United to Empower project, Wakefield W.I.N.S. to support enrichment opportunities for youth in Sussex County.

The donations are just the beginning of Clēnera’s plans to Give More to the Sussex community. The company dedicates a portion of all profits to local philanthropy. Through the community’s continued support for responsible clean energy projects, more investment can come to Sussex County and the surrounding area.

###

Media Contact

Jake Melder

Clēnera Public Relations Manager

C: 208.697.2041

Jake.Melder@clenera.com

‍