Avangrid Foundation Strengthens Workforce Development and Food Access in Monroe County

The Avangrid Foundation funds transportation for Cornell Cooperative Extensive of Monroe County

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Avangrid Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading energy company Avangrid Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group, is supporting the Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County’s Gaining Relevant and Outstanding Work Skills (GROWS) program through funding for a dedicated transportation van. The van is helping expand workforce development opportunities, agricultural education, and access to fresh food throughout the Rochester community.

The vehicle, acquired in late spring, has significantly increased the program's ability to connect participants with off-site learning experiences, community-based agricultural projects, and local food distribution efforts.

"Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County is demonstrating how education, workforce development, and community support can work together to create meaningful outcomes,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. ”Expanded transportation capacity will help increase access to valuable learning opportunities while strengthening the distribution of fresh, locally grown food throughout Monroe County."

"Access to transportation can be the difference between opportunity and limitation," said Pablo Colón, Executive Director of the Avangrid Foundation and Director of Corporate Citizenship at Avangrid. "Through the Foundation’s support, we're helping GROWS expand hands-on workforce development experiences, strengthen connections to the community, and increase food access for families across Monroe County."

Between early June and early August 2026, the van logged 448 miles supporting workforce development programming. During the same period in 2025, GROWS programming traveled only 87 miles using educators' personal vehicles, demonstrating the transformational impact of dedicated transportation resources.

“This van opens new doors for our GROWS participants to build workforce skills, gain new experiences, and engage in the community,” said Andrea Lista, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County. “We are incredibly grateful to the Avangrid Foundation for investing in GROWS and helping us expand the program’s reach and impact.”

The increased mobility has enabled GROWS participants to engage in more educational and community-based activities, including work at The International Plaza community garden, while also improving the program's ability to transport harvested produce to local organizations serving community members in need.

About Avangrid Foundation: The Avangrid Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that funds philanthropic investments that primarily impact communities where Avangrid, Inc. and its subsidiaries operate. Since 2001, the Avangrid Foundation and its predecessors have invested more than $45 million in partnerships that focus on building sustainable, vital and healthy communities; preserving cultural and artistic heritage; advancing education; and improving people’s lives. The Avangrid Foundation is committed to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the United States. For more information, please visit https://www.avangrid.com/avangrid-foundation.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading U.S. energy company investing in grid infrastructure and power generation projects to deliver reliable energy and meet growing electricity demand. With approximately $50 billion in assets and operations across 25 states, Avangrid is helping modernize the U.S. electric grid, improve system resiliency, and support economic growth for the customers and communities it serves. Avangrid owns and operates seven electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid also has nearly 100 energy generation facilities across the United States and more than 11 gigawatts of installed capacity. Avangrid has more than 8,300 employees and was named among the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2026 for the eighth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the Iberdrola Group. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.