Power a Clean Future Ohio Celebrates Milestone, Welcomes City of Akron as 50th Member Community

(Columbus, OH) – Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) is thrilled to celebrate the addition of the City of Akron as its 50th member community. This achievement represents a major milestone in the organization's work to support communities across the state in adopting and implementing achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical clean energy solutions.

PCFO launched in 2020, supported by a nonpartisan coalition of advocates, community organizations, and businesses, all committed to building a future that is powered by clean energy and prioritizes the health and well-being of Ohioans. In the years following, the organization has rapidly grown its impact across the state, furthering local communities’ efforts to prioritize sustainability and reduce emissions. Today, 44% of Ohioans reside in PCFO Communities committed to growing equitably and sustainably.

"Partnering with our 50th community is a tremendous milestone for PCFO," said PCFO Board of Directors President Dayna Baird Payne. "To reach this point is a testament to the collective work of communities across Ohio who share and prioritize a vision for a cleaner, healthier future," she added. "The support and expertise that PCFO provides to local leaders is critical in helping communities achieve their sustainability goals and build towards Ohio's clean energy future."

PCFO has received unwavering support and commitment from its philanthropic funders and coalition of partner organizations that have furthered the organization's mission of reducing carbon emissions in Ohio and helped reach this significant milestone.

"I want to recognize the crucial leadership of PCFO over the last four years. Many of our local governments have aligned together and positioned their environmental goals with transformational federal funding opportunities," said Lillian Kuri, Cleveland Foundation President & CEO. "The Cleveland Foundation's investment in PCFO ensures that Greater Cleveland communities, small businesses, and households will accelerate implementation of emissions reductions while safeguarding affordability and economic opportunity for all in the region."

"PCFO's efforts in Ohio are unlike anything happening across the country. I am inspired by the ever-growing momentum of local leaders in our state in taking on the climate and environmental justice challenges we face,” said John Mitterholzer, program director for Climate and Environmental Justice at the George Gund Foundation. “The work PCFO does is critical and indispensable. The George Gund Foundation is proud to continue our support of this work through our partnership with PCFO."

As Power a Clean Future Ohio approaches its work with new communities, the organization is committed to building strong, collaborative relationships centered on identifying sustainability goals that are uniquely tailored to their needs and ambitions.

"I'm excited to team up with Power a Clean Future Ohio to pursue efforts that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve environmental sustainability overall," said Akron Mayor Shammas Malik before joining as the organization’s 50th partner community. Through PCFO's relationships with mayors and city officials across the state, the organization has facilitated a platform for dialogue and action that benefits residents, businesses, and the environment. 

As PCFO celebrates reaching this milestone, the organization remains committed to growing its impact across the state and building towards a clean, prosperous future for all Ohioans. “We are proud of this accomplishment and the commitment we’ve seen from Ohio communities in our partnerships with them,” said PCFO Executive Director Joe Flarida.“I am inspired and optimistic about our state’s ability to address these challenging, complex problems because Ohio’s local leaders are demonstrating real leadership and a willingness to meet the moment on the climate challenge.”