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P a g e 16 o f 20 <br /> <br />27. Would your proposed project help you to take advantage of funding from other sources besides <br />this grant in the future? Solar panel installation is a new project for Orange Habitat. Implementing <br />this project may help us discover new sources of funding related to climate change and renewable <br />energy that we were previously unaware of or ineligible for. We would be interested in working <br />with the County to identify additional possible sources of funding or partnerships. As we build on <br />this program, we hope to diversify our funding sources, and a grant from the County would be a <br />critical accelerator to pilot this program and help us demonstrate success. <br /> <br />28. Please describe any other aspect of your project that is relevant to the efficient use of grant funds. <br />At Habitat, we always work hard to be good stewards of the resources we are entrusted with. <br />Without sacrificing quality, every effort will be made to achieve cost savings on implementing this <br />project so that funds from the County, Rotary, and other partners can be used to their maximum <br />effect to benefit our neighbors and our environment. <br /> <br />Capacity of Applicant <br /> <br />29. Please describe any projects that you have completed successfully in the past which are similar to <br />the project you are proposing. In early 2021, Habitat will pilot its rooftop solar program by <br />installing solar panels on one of our new homes being built along Odie Street in Hillsborough. For <br />this initial project, Southern Energy Management is generously providing the equipment at cost <br />and donating their labor, bringing the cost of the system down to $6,500. Rotary has successfully <br />fundraised to cover the cost of this first installation. The homebuyer understands the risks and <br />benefits of the program and has agreed to participate. <br /> <br />30. If you are proposing to collaborate with other organizations on this project, please briefly describe <br />their relevant experience to the project and/or the target population. We are planning to partner <br />with local solar installation companies to complete this project. So far, two companies have <br />demonstrated interest in helping us obtain equipment at cost and assisting with installation, and <br />we plan to reach out to and investigate more companies as well. Southern Energy Management is a <br />B-Corporation and will be donating labor and materials to complete our first installation in early <br />2021. We hope to continue to partner with them in the future. We have also talked with Yes Solar, <br />a very well-established solar company with an excellent record of community support. <br /> <br />31. Please describe any other relevant expertise or capacity to carry out the project in your application. <br />n/a <br /> <br />Local Economic Development <br /> <br />32. How many Orange County residents are employed by your organization? Habitat employs 20 <br />people, of whom 11 are Orange County residents. Other employees live in Alamance, Durham, and <br />Wake Counties. <br /> <br />33. What percent of project materials will be purchased from sources within Orange County or North <br />Carolina? Habitat’s new home construction materials are typically sourced from the local tri-state <br />area. In addition to local volunteer labor, we also use local subcontractors to complete more skilled <br />work. In 2019, Habitat’s work generated $2.03 million in economic impact in Orange County. <br />Habitat seeks to reduce waste wherever possible. In fiscal year 2019, Habitat’s ReStores diverted <br />DocuSign Envelope ID: 0E2E518B-BEF7-4AF0-8D07-FCD05F094BD6