Alcoa Named Citizenship Award Honoree for Jamalco′s Mocho Greenhouse Farmer Training Program
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) was named a 2011 honoree for the Citizenship Award,
presented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership
Center (BCLC) in the 'Best International Ambassador? category. Honorees
were recognized during the Center′s 12th Annual Corporate
Citizenship Awards Gala held on November 17.
Jamalco, Alcoa′s operations in Jamaica, was recognized for its Mocho
Greenhouse Training Program sponsored by Alcoa and Alcoa Foundation. The
program educates farmers in greenhouse technology and helps them develop
greenhouses as a business incubator for alternative and lasting income.
'Alcoa
Foundation focuses on strengthening our communities by partnering
with nonprofits, civic organizations, the public sector and other
businesses to meet local needs,? said Paula Davis, President, Alcoa
Foundation. 'Jamalco′s Greenhouse Training Program is an innovative
collaboration that puts mined land back to productive use, stimulates
new jobs for residents and helps build the local economy. It′s the very
definition of shared value creation.?
Jamalco donated 28 acres of land formerly used for bauxite mining to
build the Mocho Greenhouse Training Center. The company also provided
expertise in project management, engineering and construction to ensure
that the facility met and exceeded required standards. The training
facility consists of training rooms and administrative offices,
constructed by Food for the Poor, and six tunnel greenhouses, a water
catchment pond and solar pump.
The program has provided local farmers with skills around greenhouse
technology. The farmers graduate with Level 2 certificates in Greenhouse
Technology and have the option of accessing further training from HEART
Trust, an agency of the Jamaica Ministry of Education, to take them to
Levels 3 and 4. The long-term plans for the facility are to operate 40
greenhouse units, a pig farm and a storage and distribution facility. At
least 200 residents will be able to earn a livable wage through the
program.
'Jamalco is focused on creating positive footprints and changing the
face of the communities in which it operates,? said Leo Lambert,
Jamalco′sCorporate Services Manager. 'Through the greenhouse
project, we are engineering a strategic shift to the economic balance in
rural communities and opening new pathways for social development. We
are passionate about this program because it exemplifies Alcoa′s
leadership in helping to shape tomorrow. ?
The Greenhouse Training Program is a part of the Jamalco
Entrepreneurship Develop Program (JEDP). JEDP was created in October
2010 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the
then Clarendon Cooperative Credit Union (now C&WJ Credit Union) and the
United Way of Jamaica.
The MOU established a revolving fund of US$232,000 which includes
contributions from Jamalco and grants from Alcoa Foundation. The funds
are distributed through the United Way of Jamaica to residents living in
Jamalco′s host communities who use the money to establish small
entrepreneurial enterprises.
Since 2000, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership
Center has produced the Corporate Citizenship Awards to honor businesses
that make a significant, positive impact in society..The Corporate
Citizenship Awards, or the 'Citizens,? were founded in 2000 and are
still managed by the Chamber′s Business Civic Leadership Center (bclc.uschamber.com/awards.)
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world′s leading producer of primary and fabricated
aluminum, as well as the world′s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of
alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry,
Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace,
automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the
past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled
products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa ? wheels,
fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building
systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as
titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral
part of Alcoa′s operating practices and the product design and
engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow
Jones Sustainability Index for 10 consecutive years and approximately 75
percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in
active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31
countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
About Alcoa Foundation
Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the
U.S., with assets of approximately US$436 million. Founded more than 50
years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than US$530 million since
1952. In 2010, Alcoa Foundation contributed nearly US$20 million to
nonprofit organizations throughout the world, focusing on promoting
environmental stewardship, enabling economic and social sustainability,
and preparing tomorrow′s leaders through education and learning. The
work of Alcoa Foundation is further enhanced by Alcoa′s thousands of
employee volunteers, who in 2010 gave more than 720,000 service
hours. ?Through the company′s signature Month of Service (October)
program, Alcoa employees share their energy, passion and purpose to make
a difference in our communities. In 2010, a record 49 percent of Alcoans
took part in nearly 1,000 Month of Service events across 24 countries,
reaching 59,000 children, serving 17,000 meals, planting 16,000 trees
and supporting 3,000 nonprofit organizations. For more information about
Alcoa Foundation, please access www.alcoa.com/foundation.
Alcoa
Nacema Blake
Office: 212-836-2825
Cell: 347-421-1827
Nacema.blake@alcoa.com
