The Cranberry Hollow Solar Project is expected to be located on state-owned land surrounding the State Correctional Institution (SCI) Phoenix. And while that is expected to punt to approval and decision-making authority to state-level institutions, there will still be a degree of community acceptance that will help make this project a success. Because the area is already owned and relatively secluded because of the prison, this project may not receive the same level of scrutiny as other solar developments that take tracts of farmland out of production or are visible to subdivisions. The area is also part of the Philadelphia Metro Area, where residents are familiar with frequent new development and land-use changes, unlikely many of the rural communities utility-scale renewable energy developers typically work. Still, the population density surrounding the prospective site opens requires buy-in from civil society stakeholders. While some stakeholder engagement may simply be a boxchecking exercise, some stakeholder groups may grow in importance depending on what feedback the developer receives from the community and what concerns are salient. For example, environmental groups may need additional outreach on runoff and erosion issues, or the 4-H can be a message validator for the agricultural community.
Economic Development
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce: The MCCC is the county’s local chamber of commerce, representing over 400 companies and 1,500 stakeholders in southeastern Pennsylvania. MCCC published Get to Know Montco online and provides spotlight articles to member businesses throughout the county and allows companies to gain additional exposure.
Montgomery County Development Corporation: The Montgomery County Development Corporation is an economic development corporation, accredited by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), that provides access to the Commonwealth’s PIDA financing program.
MontcoForward: An initiative of the Montgomery County Commerce Department aimed at providing businesses with the case and resources for setting up shop in the county. Their website provides resource and infrastructure maps as well as other economic insights for the county.
Labor & Workforce
Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Council: The “Building Trades” is a powerful labor group within Pennsylvania and represents unionized construction industry, affiliated with the AFL-CIO. The Pennsylvania State Building & Construction Trades Council is made up of 16 Regional Council and more than 115 local unions from 15 International Building Trades Unions.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers: The IBEW is the international labor union for electrical workers, representing approximately 775,000 active members and retirees who work in a wide variety of fields, including utilities, construction, telecommunications, broadcasting, manufacturing, railroads and government. The group is affiliated with the AFL-CIO and the Building Trades.
IBEW 98: IBEW 98 represents electricians in Philadelphia and the Greater Philadelphia Area.
ATEI 98: Apprentice Training for the Electrical Industry (ATEI) serves as the training arm for IBEW Local Union 98 and the Penn-Del-Jersey Chapter of National Electrical Contractors Associations (NECA).
Energy and Environmental
Philadelphia Solar Energy Association (PSEA): The PSEA is “a volunteer-based, member-supported nonprofit whose goal is to promote the rapid adoption of solar energy in the Philadelphia region and across the state.” PSEA is an associate chapter of the American Solar Energy Society. They advocate for policies that benefit solar development, including residential units, like the net metering tariff, PV installer training, and public education on solar energy.
- PSEA may be an important ally for understanding local politics and building strategic relationships in the region. Their work already includes public education, creating mutually beneficial opportunities like being able to tout utility-scale solar jobs and investment in the region. On their website, they list existing partners such as Drexel University, School District of Philadelphia, Eastern Electric Vehicle Club, Energy Coordinating Agency, Franklin Institute, STEM EcoSystem Collaborative, PHENND Sustainability Collaborative; all of which have name credibility in the region. The group also maintains a regular newsletter that captures solar policy, industry news, and local events that Cranberry Hollow should leverage to reach a friendly industry audience.
Pennsylvania Conservative Energy Forum (PennCEF): “The Pennsylvania Conservative Energy Forum (PennCEF) was created August, 2018 by conservatives, for conservatives who want the Commonwealth to adopt an all-of-the-above diversified energy portfolio that includes an emphasis on moving to clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.” The group views itself as a conservative voice advocating for the responsible transition to renewable energy. | Chad Forcey, Executive Director chad.forcey@penncef.org | 717-645-9055
PA Land & Liberty Coalition: The PA-L&LC is a grassroots organization created to partner with landowners, community leaders, economic development groups, clean energy businesses and elected officials to promote renewable energy development, particularly from the standpoint of farmers and landowners. The coalition maintains a Facebook page.
Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC): The PEC is an environmental organization that “protects and restores the natural and built environments through innovation, collaboration, education and advocacy.” Much of their public-facing work is focused on executive and legislative initiatives in Harrisburg, but they are broadly interested in reducing emissions and air pollution from power generation. View the full staff directory here.
PennEnvironment: A local chapter of Environment America, a 501(c)3 non-profit aimed at improving air and water quality, promoting clean energy, and other urban livability issues. They support 100% renewable energy and recently have a focus on protecting bees and other pollinators from pesticides. View the full staff directory here.
- PennEnvironment activists could likely be cultivated into environmental message validators.
- Johanna Neumann, Senior Director, Campaign for 100% Renewable Energy 413-256-6434
PennFuture: A statewide environmental advocacy organization primarily focused on environmental litigation at the state level and advocates for policies that will spur more renewable energy in the state, including solar. PennFuture supports RGGI entry, avoid that issue with your core audiences, but has a network of grassroots activities who support community and grid-scale solar.
Agricultural
Montgomery County 4-H Center: The Farm, Home, and Youth Foundation of Montgomery County (4-H Center) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a focus on agriculture and community service, and is self-described as a “community of young people who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.” The 4-H Program is administered by Pennsylvania State University 4-H Youth Division of Cooperative Extension who is responsible for planning, organizing and supervising the work throughout the state. The 4-H Center abuts the Cranberry Hollow project and has a focus on farming interests, so ensuring the 4-H sees agriculture-related value to the solar project and that they are bought in will further the success of the project.
The 4-H hosts the annual Farm, Home, and Youth Fair in August.
The local Penn State Extension Program is run out of this facility.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau: an organization representing farming and agricultural interests in Pennsylvania. PFB is a member of the national Farm Bureau and engages in lobbying and grassroots advocacy in the state. Their stated goal is to “preserve the state’s agricultural heritage and ensure that family farms can continue to produce local food, grow their communities and promote responsible stewardship of the land and natural resources.”
Veterans
- Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW): A nonprofit service organization comprised of veterans and active-duty military members. Nationally, the group advocates for veterans benefits. The local chapters or oriented towards community service and promoting patriotism.
- Post 7155 Kline-Styer-Mc Cann Post: Quartermaster: George Henderson, Commander: Richard Cassey Jr., 2nd Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at 201 W 3rd Ave, Trappe, PA 19426 | 610- 454-9950
- Post 6341 Royersford Post: Quartermaster: Richard Kline Jr., Commander: Michelle Christman, Meets 4th Sunday at 1:00 p.m. at 730 S 4th Ave, Royersford, PA 19468 | 610- 948-0406
American Legion: The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a national veterans organization dedicated to service, mentoring youth, and sponsoring community programs. The Legion helps veterans find meaningful jobs, education, health-care, and other opportunities to serve their communities.
PA Post 0203: Adjutant: W. Paul Sacks, Commander: John P. Hightower, Meets 4th Thursday at 7:00 p.m. | PO Box 452 Schwenksville, PA 19473-0452 | 610-287-9513
Military
There are no known active U.S. military installations in the vicinity, with the exception of a Pennsylvania Army National Guard Field Maintenance Shop on the south end of the project’s perimeter.
Colleges, Universities, and Workforce Training
Because this project is located in the Philadelphia Metro Area, there are many colleges and universities within 50-miles of the project site. For the purposes of this report, the focus is on the most geographically and solar workforce-relevant institutions.
Montgomery County Community College: MCCC or locally referred to as “MontCo” is the local community college. The college does not appear to offer electrical or renewable energy training, however, the college does offer an environmental science program.
Ursinus College: A local liberal arts university located in Collegeville, a few miles south of the project site. Ursinus does not offer electrical or renewable energy training, however, the college does offer an environmental science program.
North Montco Technical Career Center: One of four area Vocational-Technical Schools in Montgomery County and is jointly owned by the North Penn, Souderton Area, Wissahickon, Methacton and Perkiomen Valley School Districts. This school serves the community around the Cranberry Hollow project. The school offers electrical training for high school students and a continuing education programs, including electrical construction and industrial electricity for workforce development.
K-12 Education
- Perkiomen Valley School District: The local public school district operates seven schools in central Montgomery County and serve the community around the Cranberry Hollow project. The district also has a relationship and is served by the local vocational technical school, North Montco Technical Career Center (see more in College, University and Workforce Training).
Local Hospitals
Safety Services
- Pennnsylvania State Police, Troop K: Skippack Township is served by the Pennsylvania State Police based in Schwenksville. The township does not have a dedicated police department.
- Skippack Fire Company: The Skippack Fire Company is a volunteer fire department that serves Skippack Township. The fire company is located 1230 Bridge Road, just southeast of the project site. The organization is open to in-kind donations. info@skippackfire.com | 610-584-9995
- Skippack Emergency Medical Services: A small volunteer-run ambulance service that serves Skippack Township and parts of Worcester and Towamencin Townships. The organization is open to in-kind donations. 610-454-9665
Religion and Faith
- Wellspring Church of Skippack: A Mennonite Church adjacent to the Cranberry Hollow project site. Pastor: Beth Davco, wellspringpastor1183@gmail.com | 1183 Cressman Rd., Schwenksville, PA 19473 | wellspringheart@gmail.com | 610-489-2688
- Skippack Church
- NEXT Community Church
- Graterford Bible Fellowship
Charities
- Lions Club: A global volunteer organization aimed at improving communities through acts of service. Each Lions Club focuses on areas of need identified by the local members.
- Skippack Township Lions Club | Skippack Lions Club has been serving the community since 1953 and is especially focused on blindness prevention, but also supports other initiatives such as college scholarships and hearing health. 610-489-2505
- Skippack Historical Society: A non-profit organization formed in 1967 for the purpose of researching and documenting the many historical sites and rich history of the Skippack Valley. The group seeks resources to restore and maintain the Gerhardt Indenhofen Farmstead and other historic structures in the area. The organization also views the Creamery Village, just south of the Cranberry Hollow site as a space with historic value.
- The solar project would abut Creamery Village, so consideration for how the solar viewshed might impact the historic character of the area and how it may be mitigated could help
