The St. Pete City Council recently approved a seed grant to SELF to help the non-profit community-lending organization expand operations into the city. The clean energy loan officer will help owners with home renovation projects.

ST. PETERSBURG – The non-profit Solar and Energy Loan Fund  has hired Jessica Lewis to be the new clean energy loan officer for the city of St. Petersburg.

The St Petersburg City Council recently approved a seed grant to SELF to help the non-profit community-lending organization expand operations into the city. Lewis will helpt local homeowners with home renovation projects.

SELF is a mission-driven lender focused on rebuilding and empowering under-served communities by providing access to affordable and innovative financing for sustainable home improvement projects, including: weatherization and insulation; high-efficiency air conditioners; solar water heaters and photovoltaic (PV) systems; roofs, windows, doors, and hurricane shutters; and, much more. To date, SELF has helped more than 700 families finance $6 million in home renovations, with more than two-thirds of the lending activity in low- and moderate-income census tracts, 50 percent for seniors, 40 percent for women, and 20 percent for veterans. SELF also helps local general contractors and solar energy companies finance more projects at a reduced cost.

“I am excited to join the SELF organization to foster clean energy solutions and community redevelopment projects in low-wealth and working class communities while also boosting storm resilience in the Sunshine City,” Lewis said.  “SELF will help the city bridge the socioeconomic gap that exists in traditional sustainability initiatives.”

Lewis’ background includes marine research and nonprofit work where she sought to welcome diverse participants in citizen science and social and environmental justice campaigns. Jessica is a resident of St. Petersburg and hails from Surf City, NC. She earned her bachelors of science from the College of Charleston in South Carolina, and previously worked as a program coordinator for Audubon Florida. Lewis is an active volunteer in the Tampa Bay area and serves on the boards of Suncoast Sierra Club and Suncoast Surfrider Foundation.

“We are very pleased to have Jessica join the SELF team and help us launch the new satellite program in the city of St. Petersburg,” SELF’s Executive Director Doug Coward said.

St. Pete homeowners interested in learning more about SELF can call HQ at  (772) 468-1818 or go to solarenergyloanfund.org and Facebook.com. For information about low-cost financing options for residents of the city of St. Petersburg, call Lewis at (727) 315-3223.

Solar Loan Fund | Jessica Lewis | Business | Environment | Solar Energy | Tampabay News

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