MENTOR, Ohio– The Cardinal Credit Union is reporting it has been selected to receive $3.9 million as part of Inclusiv’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program.

Cardinal said the funding stream will enable it to expand its portfolio to offer :affordable clean energy financing that can reduce energy costs for local families and businesses and improve air quality and health outcomes.”

The $313.3-million Cardinal was selected from among 108 credit unions in the U.S. and Puerto Rico and is one of two credit unions based in Ohio to receive a combined $651 million in the first round of CCIA awards. 

“This award is a significant investment that will allow low-income members to afford energy-efficient home and office upgrades such as weatherization and insulation repairs, appliances, and to purchase electric cars and solar panels among other products that help reduce high energy costs,” Cardinal CU said in a statement. 

It added that clean energy initiatives also create jobs and employ contractors, developers and manufacturers to carry out projects, creating a ripple of positive economic impact locally.

More Than 250 Apply

Since Inclusiv launched its CCIA program, more than 250 credit unions and cooperatives submitted pre-qualification forms, according to the organization.

“Sustainability is an important component of the credit union mission,” CCU CEO Christine Blake said in a statement. “This marks our official foray into providing financial support for our members interested in clean energy projects that directly benefit them, their health and the environment. With the help of Inclusiv, we are making this a reality for our local communities especially in underserved areas where the need is the greatest.”