Program: Launch Millvale

Solar Workforce Development + Education Program

The Solar Workforce Development + Education Program is located at the Millvale Food + Energy Hub, and includes a variety of learning and training programs. The Hub’s state-of-the art 26 kwH microgrid, coupled with an advanced power control system for the building, building automation, and educational dashboard, serves as a learning tool for a wide range of abilities, age ranges, and interests from the casual to highly technical.

The facility offers opportunities for students, adults, and industry professionals to examine the emerging role of clean, renewable energy in promoting sustainability and reducing the damage caused to our environment and health by energy generation.

The Solar Energy Workforce Program consists of:

  • Solar Energy Workforce training, certification, and on-the-job apprenticeships to prepare small, local electrical contractors and others for entry into the growing clean energy industry
  • Teen Solar Fellowship introduces students to the technical skills, career experiences, and valuable connections that can help them to succeed in the installation industry or as a stepping stone to higher education.
  • Community Engagement + Education through microgrid equipment demonstration and interactive dashboard for teens, adults, and industry professionals

 

 

The project is spearheaded by New Sun Rising and Moose MODE Inc, in partnership with the Triboro Ecodistrict and Millvale Ecodistrict Collaborative. Funding provided by the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. System contractors include: EIS Solar, Steel City Energy Conservation, Sigma Luminous, and GRID Institute at University of Pittsburgh.

Millvale Food + Energy Hub

New Sun Rising and Moose MODE, Inc. have transformed the 10,000 square foot former Moose Lodge into the Millvale Food + Energy Hub.  This solar powered facility serves as a cafe, food rescue, co-working, public event, resource provider, and gathering space for enhancing community resilience.  As a project which prioritizes reuse throughout renovation and operations, the Millvale Food + Energy Hub helps to advance goals of the community-led Millvale Ecodistrict and Triboro Ecodistrict.

The vision of our partners is to create an inspiring, informative, and inviting place for people to explore ways to create a more sustainable, vibrant, and prosperous future for everyone and the planet.

Rent the Millvale Food + Energy Hub

Learn about the Solar Workforce Development + Education Program

Learn about our Solar DC Microgrid

Tenants

 

Funding

  • First National Bank, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Neighborhood Allies, Borough of Millvale, The Heinz Endowments, The Hillman Foundation, Allegheny County Economic Development

Launch Millvale

Launch Millvale is an civic innovation lab, where socially focused entrepreneurs create new opportunities around the food, energy, water, air, mobility, and equity goals of the community.

Meet the Projects

 

Vibrant Communities Focus

Initially building the local food system, Launch Millvale broadened to support sustainability leaders activating the Millvale EcoDistrict Pivot 2.0 Plan. The EcoDistricts community planning process, led by partner and

renowned Pittsburgh firm evolveEA, brings together citizens, neighborhood organizations, businesses, and local government to develop a unified vision for their community.

Social enterprises and initiatives supported by Launch Millvale receive services such as fiscal sponsorship, growth strategy, and funding. Activities are coordinated by Zaheen Hussain, the Millvale Sustainability Coordinator and NSR Director of Sustainability, in collaboration with the partners of the Millvale EcoDistrict Collaborative (Millvale Community Library, the Borough of Millvale, Millvale Community Development Corporation, and New Sun Rising).

Plated Trade

Fine dining for anywhere.

Plated Trade is a new style food service from Chef David Bulman, cooking up locally sourced and prepared meals directly to consumers in non-traditional community settings, such as their homes and creative community spaces.

Offering a wide variety of services including Chefs Tasting Menus, catering, public/private cooking classes, and personally prepared meals; Plated Trade high quality local food and education in the setting of your choice.

The Gardens of Millvale

The Gardens of Millvale is a volunteer-led community garden that has provided growing, volunteer, and educational opportunities in this food desert since 2010. The team of Denise Rudar and Stephanie Davis lead the Gardens of Millvale and they look to establish sustainable operations, create job opportunities, and connect growers with local businesses and Millvale’s new food hub to strengthen the local food system.

Sprezzatura

The creative team of Jen Saffron and Paul Labrise are busy providing memorable catering events and crafting their storefront concept for the Millvale Moose. Sprezzatura aims to create a warm, comfortable third space with affordable, delicious home cooked real Italian food.

Steel City Soils

Steel City Soils closes the loop in our cluster by recycling food waste and creating only the highest quality compost for use at urban farms. Owner Jeff Newman is applying what he has learned from six years in the compost business, and is growing his enterprise to provide even more compost for additional farms and communities.

Three Rivers Grown

Connecting buyers and producers. Simplifying the food chain.  Growing our food community.

Three Rivers Grown began in 2014 by taking a different approach to strengthening the food system by helping farmers get their produce to market by connecting them directly with wholesale markets, supermarkets, and to other businesses.  Nathan Holmes and Abby Long also support the supply chain logistics required to support small to medium sized family farms within a 250 mile radius around Pittsburgh, and bring fresh, healthy products to the businesses and people of our region.

Tupelo Honey Teas

Tupelo Honey Teas was founded by Danielle Spinola in 2007, and has been sharing her unique and lovingly blended teas with the Pittsburgh region ever since. Always exploring new horizons for her business, Danielle has recently opened a vegetarian/vegan tea shop & community gathering place, adjacent to the Millvale Community Library.

Recalling her first meeting with Scott Wolovich, she glows with excitement. Wolovich invited her to take part in Launch Millvale and, through this mentorship Tupelo Honey Teas Cafe was realized. The cafe kitchen is helmed by Millvale resident & chef Stephanie Davis, using produce from the Gardens of Millvale in the scratch kitchen, as well as growing & drying its own teas.