Latest news with #AndreaKent
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Farms and Fuels Alliance Celebrates Ontario Government's Commitment to Homegrown Ethanol Industry and Rural Jobs
Article content OTTAWA, Ontario — The Farms and Fuels Alliance ( FFA) today applauded the Ontario government's decision to introduce Canadian content requirements to ethanol, a critical move that will strengthen the province's agricultural sector, secure thousands of Ontario jobs, and ensure a continued sustainable environmental future due to Canada's homegrown biofuel industry. Article content 'We're pleased that Ontario has recognized the vital role of domestic biofuel producers by including Canadian ethanol in the final regulation,' said Andrea Kent, Vice-President, Industry and Government Affairs for Greenfield Global. 'As Canada's ethanol production hub, Ontario generates 70% of the national supply, making this decision critical for our clean energy future and economic resilience. This regulation demonstrates the government's commitment to practical, local solutions that protect our renewable fuel capacity and strengthen rural Ontario communities.' Article content 'This is great news for grain farmers. This season has a lot of uncertainty with weather issues including drought and volatile trade issues and this commitment by our provincial government provides a welcome and needed stability for this vital market for Ontario grains,' said Jeff Harrison, Chair, Grain Farmers of Ontario. Beyond ethanol's proven environmental benefits, Canadian content requirements for ethanol are expected to: Article content Protect Canadian Jobs: Safeguard thousands of jobs across the entire value chain, from grain farmers supplying feedstock to production facility workers. The Canadian biofuels industry drives over $3 billion in annual economic activity while supporting rural employment. Stabilize Agricultural Markets: Create reliable, long-term demand for Ontario grain farmers, delivering the market certainty needed for sustainable farm operations and community prosperity. Revitalize Rural Communities: Fuel economic growth in rural Ontario, where ethanol facilities serve as anchor employers and major contributors to local economic vitality. Strengthen Energy Independence: Secure Canada's renewable fuel supply through domestic production. Article content The FFA was formed by Alco Energy Canada, Greenfield Global and Grain Farmers of Ontario last year, and remains committed to ongoing collaboration with governments at all levels to advance and modernize Canada's renewable fuels policies, highlight the economic advantages that domestic production brings to rural communities, and support the long-term sustainability of Canada's growing biofuels sector for generations to come. Article content The Farms and Fuels Alliance (FFA) unites Canada's ethanol producers and grain farmers to drive economic growth and rural revitalization. Focused on smart policy development that recognizes Canadian innovation, FFA is dedicated to unleashing the full potential of our nation's homegrown biofuels for the sake of our farms, our fuels, and our future. Article content Article content Article content
Indianapolis Star
19-06-2025
- Business
- Indianapolis Star
Once marked for demolition, the Drake building sells to developer for senior housing project
An Indianapolis development commission approved the sale of the historic Drake building adjacent to The Children's Museum on June 18, paving the way for 30 affordable senior apartments in a corridor ripe with public transit along North Meridian Street. After the redevelopment, the vacant building that was once set for demolition will turn into apartments for residents age 55 and older. The 27-unit, 41,000-square-foot building at 3060 N. Meridian St. sits along the IndyGo Red Line, making it an ideal site for affordable housing, city officials said when they sought to preserve the building. The Metropolitan Development Commission unanimously approved the resolution for the city to sell the building to ALK Development. Andrea Kent, founder of ALK Development, said she hopes to add a few more units, bringing the building's total capacity to 30 residences. In her previous role at TWG Development, Kent developed the Illinois Street Senior, another senior housing development just north of downtown. ALK Development, which Kent founded three years ago with an emphasis on affordable housing, was one of five developers to respond to the city's request for proposals for the site in 2023. The Drake, standing since 1929, was once a sign of luxury that welcomed its first inhabitants at the end of the golden age of building in the city. By 2016, though, an affiliate company of The Children's Museum that owned the building determined it to be too expensive to maintain as apartments. In 2019, the museum marked the building for demolition to expand its campus, leading the city to quickly designate the building as historic to protect the site. This move exposed the contrasting long-term visions between the cultural institution, the neighbors and the city for the future of the Meridian Park neighborhood. A few years later, the museum's affiliate sued the city, saying the designation had been imposed improperly. Eventually, the city acquired the Drake apartments for about $1 million to prepare for future redevelopment. Kent said the condition of the building has deteriorated over the nearly 10 years it has sat vacant, but she believes the property is still salvageable for future residents. The project will likely qualify for low-income tax credits and federal historic tax credits, and ALK will apply for a tax abatement, Kent said. The Drake drama: The Children's Museum, the city and the neighborhood: The battle for the Drake apartments Metropolitan Development Commission President John Dillon told Kent the building has been an important project for the commission over the years because of its historic significance and the long, winding road to redevelopment. "We've been following this. We've been up and down like we're on a rollercoaster," Dillon said of the Drake. "We've got a lot of historical pride, so we wish you the best."
