State legislators join community, labor, and faith organizations in call for $12.8 million to fund the Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership

The initiative will retrofit over 400 housing units, create pathways for union green jobs, and build a resilient Bronx economy

ALBANY, NY - On Tuesday, January 28th, Bronx community, labor, and faith leaders gathered on the Million Dollar Staircase at the New York State Capitol Building with state legislators to advocate for the Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership (SEP), a $12.8 million proposal to advance environmental justice, workforce development and community wealth building. The press conference featured Senator Jamaal Bailey, Assemblymember Karines Reyes, Senator Robert Jackson, Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, Assemblymember Emerita Torres, Assemblymember George Alvarez, and Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia alongside Bronx-wide Coalition members. Assemblymember Landon Dais, Senator Gustavo Rivera, Senator Jose Serrano, and Senator Luis Sepulveda have also pledged their support for the initiative.

The Bronx SEP aims to address systemic inequalities through strategic investments in green workforce training, small business development and retrofitting Bronx buildings to meet sustainability and climate resilience goals. The initiative aligns with government climate priorities, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), and New York City’s Local Law 97.

“I’m pleased to stand with the Bronx-wide Coalition members who are leading the charge to secure much needed investment for environmental justice projects that provide for climate resiliency, good jobs, and health and financial resources for the Bronx,” said Assemblymember Karines Reyes. “The Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership puts forth a cutting-edge economic development strategy that will foster cross-sector collaboration and infrastructure to train Bronx residents, grow Bronx enterprises, and retrofit and decarbonize hundreds of sites across the borough. This partnership exemplifies the approach to job creation and climate resiliency our state needs—one that leverages the expertise and capacity of local communities to ensure healthier and more sustainable futures for all.”

“Investing in the Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership is a pivotal step toward addressing decades of systemic inequities while building a green future," said Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. “This initiative not only empowers local businesses and creates good-paying jobs but also positions the Bronx as a resilient leader in sustainability and economic growth, aligning with New York’s clean energy goals."

The initiative aims to retrofit over 400 residential and multi-use units for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability while ensuring that high-road and union jobs and local businesses owned by women and people of color are prioritized. It will support 30 Bronx businesses in green retrofit sectors, engage at least 3,000 residents in workforce development opportunities, and connect at least 150 residents to training and apprenticeship programs. The partnership will also launch the first Bronx-based CUNY green retrofit workforce training program at Bronx Community College, with a focus on solar installation.

“To achieve our ambitious vision to transform the Bronx economy, faith institutions and community organizations and labor unions and small businesses and residents from all walks of life must work together, must share our resources, must show up for one another,” said David Vassel, Executive Director of Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene. “Our $12.8 million budget request for our first year is essential in laying down the groundwork to prepare our communities for this work that is inevitable. Our people deserve this investment. And we are here to secure the partnership of our representatives to make this happen.”

Coalition leaders emphasized that the initiative would address decades of environmental and economic inequities in the Bronx while preparing the borough to thrive in the clean energy economy.

“We are thrilled to stand alongside our elected champions and community, faith and labor partners to bring this transformative investment to the Bronx.” said Sandra Lobo, Executive Director of the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition. “The Sustainable Economy Partnership reflects the resilience, leadership and vision of Bronx residents and it ensures that those most impacted by environmental and economic inequities are leading and benefiting from these investments. With the support of our elected officials, we have the opportunity to win critical resources for our borough and lay the foundation for a more sustainable, equitable, and prosperous future.”

“The Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership is a vital step toward empowering our community by creating pathways to high-demand, well-paying green jobs,” said Dave Bolger, Mason Tenders’ District Council Business Manager. “Investing in workforce development ensures that Bronx residents, particularly our young people, are equipped to lead in the emerging green economy while addressing the urgent need for environmental and economic justice in our neighborhoods.”

“It's long past time for The Bronx to come together as one borough to support each other,” said Evan Casper-Futterman, Senior Director of Education and Planning at the Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative. “The Sustainable Economy Partnership is the product of four years of community planning, organizing, outreach, and education to ensure that all of our neighborhoods, workers, and small businesses can not only benefit but are driving and sharing in the ownership of a more democratic, equitable, and sustainable Bronx economy. This is the kind of borough-wide strategy and action that we need to set as the standard for how our borough develops in the future.”

“The Bronx-wide Coalition has been working together across the Bronx, throughout different sectors to create a Sustainable Economy Partnership that addresses a holistic framing and plan implementation, investment and solutions,” said Khamarin Nhann, Campaign Director of Mekong NYC. “It is a vital step in the right direction in 2025, when we see clear evidence of climate change, and not enough investment in workforce development and community ownership in communities of color. Community needs to be centered to find solutions to issues that directly impact them. Investment in community-led programs and economic development partnerships is necessary. We need leadership from our elected officials to make it a reality.”

“We Stay/Nos Quedamos is proud to be a core member of the Bronx-wide Coalition and calls on the state to invest in the Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership (SEP),” said Jessica Clemente, President and Chief Executive Officer of We Stay/Nos Quedamos Inc. “This critical investment will drive localized, community-led energy and economic justice initiatives in the Bronx, reducing dependence on uncertain federal aid. The SEP will create opportunities for local growth and green retrofits, empowering organizations like ours to upgrade affordable housing developments with weatherization, resiliency improvements, and community solar programs. These efforts will directly lower energy costs for our high-burdened residents in Melrose while building a more sustainable and equitable future for the Bronx.”

“At the core of our mission is the belief that a healthy environment, safe, energy-efficient buildings, and a skilled, supported workforce are essential for a thriving community,” said Davon Russell, President of WHEDco. “The Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership will ensure that the Bronx not only has the resources to create sustainable spaces but also the workforce to maintain them, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Without this crucial support, we risk missing the opportunity to build a stronger, healthier future for the community we serve.”

“Mothers on the Move is pleased to see organizations and political stakeholders across the borough work as a collective in support of the Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership,” said Wanda Salaman, Executive Director of Mothers on the Move. “This collaboration will provide training and create much-needed jobs to build the Bronx’s green economy.”

The Bronx-wide Coalition, formed in 2019, represents a diverse network of community, faith, and labor organizations committed to building a resilient and equitable Bronx through the Bronx-wide Plan, a long-term economic development strategy grounded in racial justice and economic democracy. Coalition members displayed banners at the press conference, showcasing the values and principles of the SEP. Following the event, members met with Bronx elected officials to discuss the proposal’s impact on their districts.

“The Bronx has endured the burden of environmental injustice and economic exclusion for far too long. The Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership is more than a plan—it’s a commitment to transform systemic neglect into systemic equity,” said Senator Robert Jackson. “Their call for investment isn’t about charity; it’s a promise to the future—a future where clean air, green jobs, and resilient communities are fundamental rights. With my colleagues and the relentless advocates leading this fight, I’m proud to stand with them to help transform the Bronx into a model of sustainability, fairness, and opportunity for all.”

“The Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership represents a transformative vision for our community, addressing long-standing environmental injustices while creating pathways to economic opportunity,” said Assemblymember Amanda Septimo. “By investing in green jobs, supporting local small businesses, and improving housing conditions, this initiative ensures the South Bronx leads the way in building a sustainable and equitable future. I am proud to support this effort, which not only aligns with our state's climate goals but also prioritizes the health and well-being of Bronx families.”

“I am proud to support the Sustainable Economy Partnership Initiative as it works tenaciously to address the ongoing environmental and economic plights facing the Bronx, as well as the systemic disinvestment in our communities,” said Assemblymember George Alvarez.

"The Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership represents a transformative step forward for our community—bringing cleaner air, greener jobs, and economic justice to the forefront,” said Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia. “This initiative isn’t just about addressing the challenges we face; it’s about unlocking the potential of our neighborhoods and creating lasting change. With every retrofitted home and every resident trained for the green economy, we are building a Bronx that leads by example—a beacon of sustainability and opportunity for generations to come."

“My goal is to take a holistic approach to job creation in the Bronx that will allow our residents to remain and thrive in the Bronx,” said Assemblymember Landon Dais.

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About the Bronx-wide Coalition: The Bronx-wide Coalition is made up of community, faith, and labor organizations working to implement a comprehensive long-term economic development plan grounded in racial justice and economic democracy. For more information, watch this video on our Bronx-wide Plan and the Sustainable Economy Partnership. Visit our website at: www.bronxwideplan.nyc.

Leadership Team of the Bronx-wide Coalition: Bronx Bethany Church of the Nazarene, Bronx Cooperative Development Initiative, Laborers’ Local 79, Mekong NYC, Mothers on the Move, Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition, Nos Quedamos, THE POINT CDC, WHEDco, and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice.

State legislators join community, labor, and faith organizations in call for $12.8 million to fund the Bronx Sustainable Economy Partnership

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