Sponsor Spotlight – REAP
April 9, 2019
We are thrilled to share with you our first sponsor spotlight of the year: REAP (Renewable Energy and Preservation) is a Certified B Corporation in Sanford, North Carolina. Owner April Montgomery explains, “We facilitate the development of utility scale solar and wind projects across the United States. We also specialize in preservation projects.” As a B Corp, REAP operates based on the triple bottom line: people, planet, and profit. Keeping these values in mind as a guidepost to best practices, the company has managed to continue growing in an uncertain market and regulatory environment.
One of their proudest accomplishments to date has been the restoration of a medical practice facility, Lutterloh, in downtown Sanford. The building has been converted into a mixed-use development project with apartments, retail spaces, an Airbnb unit, and their freshly outfitted office space. Here, they were able to upgrade to energy efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, and spray foam insulation in the roof/crawl space. But their sustainability efforts don’t stop there. Between reducing consumption of single use items and energy-saving devices, REAP employees make green practices a priority in the workplace and at home. The company’s commitment to their triple bottom line is evident as they work to spread awareness regarding the importance of sustainability to the greater community through attending meetings, public forums, and helping shape policy.
When asked why they chose to support NC GreenPower, Montgomery shared, “We do not have the ability to utilize renewable energy in our office building, and we travel quite a bit. Therefore, it was very important for us to find creative ways to offset the energy use that we cannot avoid. The REC program is a great way to ‘reap’ the benefits of renewable energy when local access is not an option.”
Outside of being a local leader in the renewable energy industry, REAP leads in community service as well. Employees are given 24 hours of paid time off each year for service projects. For example, one employee traveled to his costal hometown last year in the wake of Hurricane Florence to work with local rescue groups to ensure that people maintained or regained power as quickly as possible. They also provide financial support to charities and industry groups that further the clean energy movement in the southeast.
In reflecting on how sustainability efforts affect the company’s bottom line, the founder expressed, “There’s an expense associated with these choices, but I don’t regret the choices. Indirectly, we’re asking electrical consumers to be aware of where their power comes from, we need to walk the walk.” We certainly admire REAP’s commitment to walking the walk in their participation of our Green REC program. We are eager to grow alongside REAP and celebrate with them in their successes.