NEW YORK - October 17, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

iQuanti: Have you been wanting to make some updates to your home? With residential real estate prices up an average of around 20 percent nationwide, many homeowners are taking advantage of this newly created equity by taking out home improvement loans. These loans will provide the tens of thousands of dollars needed to make some pretty major updates throughout the property. Which renovations are the best use of a home improvement loan? In this article, we'll explore five good ways to use these funds:

1. Remodel the bathroom

Nearly everyone from realtors to professional contractors agrees that a bathroom renovation has one of the highest ROIs (return on investment). This is because, believe it or not, many people see their bathrooms as a sanctuary. It's where they come to relax in a bathtub or get ready to take on the world every morning.

Some of the most common changes include updating the vanity, redoing the tile work, or getting new light fixtures. Even small changes like adding water-efficient toilets and showerheads can save you money over time.

2. Update the kitchen

Second to the bathroom, the kitchen is the most important room in the house. Kitchens are not only where the food gets prepared, but it's also a place where people typically gather and talk during get-togethers. Some of the simplest kitchen upgrades might be:

• Replacing the appliances
• Changing the flooring
• Adding a new backsplash to the wall

Depending on your budget, you can also spring for some major renovations like ordering new countertops, replacing the cabinets, and even taking out a wall to open the room up.

3. Finish the basement

Finishing the basement in your house is one of the classic ways to expand your home without making any additions to the exterior. Depending on the footprint, it can easily add another 1,000 square feet to the sellable size of your home. 

Finishing the basement also can provide a lot of much-needed utility. It can give you:

• A second living room or entertainment space
• A place for the kids to play
• Office area
• Workout gym

Some finished basement plans even include a spare bedroom where guests can stay. Take into consideration that it will need a fire escape, such as an egress window, to pass inspection.

4. Add landscaping

Regardless of how you may feel about landscaping, adding a touch of love to the lawn can make a world of difference in the appearance of the house as well as its future resale price. This can be done with simple changes such as:

• Adding new colorful trees and shrubs
• Having an irrigation system installed
• Lining the landscaping with rich mulch or stone

5. Replace your roof

It may not be the most exciting home renovation, but if it's been about 15 years or so since the last time the shingles on your roof were replaced, then now might be the time to consider having it done. A new roof will not only look better, but it will also better serve its purpose of protecting the home against bad weather and other elements. Plus, it should provide some reduction to your homeowner's premium.

The bottom line

There are plenty of good ways to spend a home improvement loan. Interior changes like renovating the bathroom, kitchen, or basement are all good places to start. But don't forget to also consider the exterior too by updating the landscaping and roof.

Contact Information:
Keyonda Goosby
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125

Carolina Darbelles
Senior Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
(201) 633-2125


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Original Source: 5 Tips for Using a Home Improvement Loan

Partnership with community groups works to improve the state's ranking for broadband coverage.

CONWAY, N.H. - October 17, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

As a national nonprofit connecting technology donors with organizations serving people in need of computers, Digitunity supports the state of Arkansas in working with community-based groups to close the digital divide afflicting the state's marginalized residents. They do this through their Digital Opportunity Network, comprised of 1,500 organizations across the U.S.

In July, Heartland Forward, a Bentonville nonprofit, announced the organization of a coalition of over a dozen Arkansas-based organizations. Its goal is to expand internet access throughout the state by supporting local initiatives and securing federal funding to ensure high-speed internet is more accessible and affordable across Arkansas. 

According to findings from the Arkansas State Broadband Manager's Report, as of June 2020, Arkansas is 50th in the nation for broadband coverage. Only 79% of the state's population has internet service with speeds of at least 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. As recently as 2022, there are still 210,000 households in the state lacking adequate broadband access. 

"Having a connected computer and the skills to use it productively is a fundamental need in today's society," said Scot Henley, executive director of Digitunity. "Since its founding, Digitunity has partnered with several nonprofit organizations in Arkansas, with wide-ranging missions from youth-focused projects to life skills and digital literacy for adult learners, all with a shared mission of bridging the technology gap."

Digitunity has six Digital Opportunity Network members in the state: 

• The North Central Career Center of Leslie
• The Conway County Center for Exceptional Children of Morrilton
• Carter's Crew of Little Rock
• The Arkansas Adult Learning Resource Center of Little Rock
• Shirley Community Service and Development Corporation of Shirley 
• Northeast Arkansas Innovative Training Center of Jonesboro 

These distribution partners provide technology to adults looking for jobs, schoolchildren, and nonprofit organizations like career and technical centers. As of 2021, Digitunity and its Network have distributed 273 devices in Arkansas. Their body of work connecting donors of technology with recipient organizations serving people in need spans nearly 40 years. 

Since Digitunity's inception, thousands of people have benefitted from its efforts. Its perspective has been shaped by decades of experience creating local impact through the benefit of a national lens. As an independent, national nonprofit focused on advancing digital equity through device ownership, Digitunity is unique in the digital inclusion landscape. 

One way Digitunity demonstrates this uniqueness is by partnering with local organizations and governments to benefit members of these communities. One such way they're doing this is by helping state and local governments, like those in Arkansas, create digital equity plans. This action was inspired by the landmark Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will expand broadband infrastructure and enable eligible households to obtain home broadband access and a connected device. Digitunity sees this initiative as an opportunity to help the state of Arkansas as they develop a digital equity plan. The goal of this plan is to expand access to connected devices for all Arkansas residents. 

In response, the organization has developed recommendations for state digital equity plans. This expertise in both supply and community distribution gives Digitunity the ability to effectively partner with coalitions, cities, and states to create sustainable device access solutions. To learn more about Digitunity's digital equity planning work, please visit digitunity.org.

About Digitunity
Since the 1980s, Digitunity has advanced digital inclusion by connecting donors of technology with organizations serving people in need. Our mission is to ensure everyone who needs a computer has one, along with robust internet connectivity and digital literacy skills. To learn more about our mission, please visit www.digitunity.org.

Contact Information:
Maria Penaloza
[email protected]


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Original Source: Digitunity Works With Local Organizations to Close Arkansas' Digital Divide

Advisory services can offer businesses various valuable options when exploring every aspect of energy efficiency.

NEW YORK - October 17, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

Using energy more efficiently is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways for businesses to save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs and meet growing energy demands. The bottom line is that anywhere energy is used, there is an opportunity to make improvements. energyware™, a leading national provider of energy-efficiency technology, is committed to offering support to businesses seeking energy-efficiency solutions and making strides in the environmental space.

A recent survey found the global industry is accelerating its investment in energy efficiency in the next five years as the race toward net zero deepens. A key finding was that more than half, or 54%, of the companies surveyed are already investing, while 40% plan to make energy efficiency improvements in 2022. An energy efficiency expert will be able to provide these businesses with several options when looking at every aspect of energy efficiency, including solar, LED, HVAC, water efficiency and energy procurement.

energyware's™ solutions are at the forefront of solid business practices, and its mission is to provide the highest quality services at below-market pricing. The knowledgeable and experienced energyware™ team offers project consultation, project management and optimization of the overall performance of these solutions, which includes LED smart technology engineering and deployment and solar technology.

"Energy efficiency experts design an easy path with less disruption for businesses that are looking to go green, as well as serves as a guide on the journey towards reducing expenses and the carbon footprint," said Jake Jacques, CEO of energyware™. "Our team helps simplify this process for clients by assisting with selecting and implementing energy conservation practices and technologies."

In recent years, companies have ramped up their commitment to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices as investors and shareholders are now using it as an important capital market measure. And the evidence showing companies that prioritize ESG issues are generating superior long-term financial performance is undeniable.

The world we live in will change beyond all recognition unless there is a growing shift in energy consumption. energyware™ continues to be a one-stop-shop for businesses seeking energy efficiency solutions. By offering a wide range of options, energyware™ has successfully positioned itself as an industry leader in this critical space.

To learn more about how energy procurement, LED lighting and solar energy services can help businesses save money on energy costs, visit www.energywarellc.com.

About energyware™
A national provider of energy efficiency technology, energyware™ eliminates the guesswork of energy efficiency by bringing engineers, designers, best-in-breed manufacturing, and trained energy technology installers all under one umbrella.

Contact Information:
Maria Penaloza
[email protected]


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Original Source: energyware™ Highlights Benefits of Energy Efficiency, Sustainability Advisors for Businesses

US-India Conference Event at San Francisco's BayEcotarium

SAN FRANCISCO - October 15, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

More than 100 global CEOs and leaders of some of the world's most influential companies reflected on recent innovations and actions to combat climate change at a special dinner for the opening of the Fifth Berkeley Innovation Forum. The Smithsonian-affiliated Aquarium of the Bay hosted the primary session, and the final session of the event took place at another branch of the BayEcotarium, the Bay Model in Sausalito.

The 5th annual US-India Conference took place at the Speaker Forum on the University of California, Berkeley campus. Executives, professionals, academics, students from both India and the U.S., and key members of U.S.-India trade and economic bodies attended the dinner to exchange ideas in an open forum.

"The world is changing at a quick and dramatic pace, and new orientations and alignments are needed from the world's major economies," said George Jacob, President and CEO of BayEcotarium. "India and the U.S. must work together to shape and ensure mutual prosperity and peace around the globe."

R. Mukundan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Tata Chemicals in India, spoke about the importance of corporate responsibility to support climate resiliency in an interview that evening. "We believe that conservation, protecting biodiversity and working on climate change cannot be done by one company," Mukundan said. "It has to be done by partnership and ecosystems. If by coming to these forums we can connect with like-minded people, we would like to find them, work with them, and share what we know."

At the closing session held at the Bay Model in Sausalito, Professor Solomon Darwin (Haas School of Business University of California Berkeley) opened the final session. Presentations included industrial activities on the planet, how sustainability is key for the future, and best business practices to thrive in the modern business world. The forum included time for open discussion and question-and-answer sessions.

WHO ARE WE:

Established 42 years ago as the Bay Institute, Bay.Org/BayEcotarium and its seven branches are united under one mission to enable conversations on climate resilience and ocean conservation globally, while inspiring actionable change locally by protection and preservation of the San Francisco Bay and its ecosystems, from Sierra to the Sea™. Visit www.Bayecotarium.org.

BayEcotarium, one of the largest non-profit watershed conservation groups in the Bay Area, which includes the Smithsonian-affiliated Aquarium of the Bay, is marking its transformation to become a first-of-its-kind BayEcotarium - an immersive, sustainability-driven and multi-disciplinary education, research and climate leadership facility.

The Berkeley Innovation Forum is a membership organization hosted by Dr. Henry Chesbrough, Faculty Director of the Garwood Center for Corporate Innovation. Professor Chesbrough has become a world-renowned authority on the topic of open innovation, a term that he is credited with inventing. BIF is an exclusive membership group consisting of carefully selected corporate Directors from non-competing firms who are deeply involved in managing innovation within their company. The forum provides its members an ongoing window on innovation challenges confronting companies around the world, and gathers members together to share their experiences in dealing with these challenges. We also incorporate recent innovation research, from UC Berkeley and other universities. We keep the size of the membership limited in order to promote greater exchange of viewpoints.

Contact Information:
Paul Nakamoto
Vice President
[email protected]
(415) 262-4720


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Original Source: BayEcotarium Hosts Primary and Final Berkeley Innovation Forum Sessions

PALM COAST, Fla. - October 14, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

Capstone Planning, an independent financial services firm, opened the doors to their brand-new location on Oct. 7, 2022. The 6,400 sq ft new office is located in Palm Coast Town Center. The multi-million dollar investment in the Palm Coast community is designed to service and aid the growing number of individuals and families that choose Palm Coast to be their retirement destination.

The family-owned firm has served retirees and people approaching retirement in Palm Coast and Ormond Beach for 25 years. "We wanted to invest in our community in a bigger way," said Timothy Wiltfong, Capstone Planning president and founder. "Our new location allows us to do even more for Palm Coast residents. We're committed to making our community a great place to live, both before and after retirement."

"Retirement is what we do," said Keith Wiltfong, CFP®. "The people we work with are usually looking for reassurance they will have enough money to last through retirement. They're also looking for guidance, someone to help them make important decisions and put a clear financial plan in place to get them through their later years."

The firm achieves this through their proprietary process The Better Retirement Journey™, a comprehensive financial plan incorporating five key aspects of retirement planning: income, investments, taxes, health care and legacy. "We want our clients to live by design, not by default," said Connie Wiltfong. "We want our clients to live with confidence and certainty, not worry and fear. They should be living out the dreams and desires they've worked for over the past three or four decades."

Kris Wiltfong agreed. "We're known for helping our clients make life happen," he said. "You get one shot at retirement. People wonder if they're doing their planning right. We've helped hundreds of people get to and through the retirement finish line."

About Capstone Planning

Capstone Planning is a full-service, family-owned independent financial services firm in Palm Coast and Ormond Beach. Since 1998, they have helped hundreds of people create a long-lasting and fulfilling retirement. Visit capstoneplanning.com to learn more about the Wiltfong family and their proprietary process The Better Retirement Journey™.

Contact Information:
Keith Wiltfong
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™
[email protected]
(386) 202-4498


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Original Source: Capstone Planning Opens New Office to Provide Palm Coast Residents With a Better Retirement

Company Prepares for Colder Months, Possible New COVID-19 Variants, and Responds to Customer Requests for High-Quality Masks in a Variety of Colors

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - October 14, 2022 - (Newswire.com)

Bona Fide Masks Corp.  (www.bonafidemasks.com), part of the Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Ball Chain) family of companies out of Mount Vernon, New York, makes significant investments to prepare for the colder months and potential new COVID-19 variants. In the beginning of Q4 '21, Bona Fide Masks® faced an unprecedented surge in demand due to the rapid emergence of the Omicron variant that drove global concern. As the company prepares for the season, President Bill Taubner reassures his customers, "We have scaled our company over the last year to ensure we are ready for any level of demand surge. We have made several capital investments that allow our family-owned and operated business to meet a competitive enterprise-level strategy. We want our customers to know they can depend on us, and we are here for them."

Earlier this June, Bona Fide Masks named third-party logistics partner (3PL), Deliverr, their strategy partner to support fulfillment, warehousing, and inventory management for the NY-based company. Additionally, Bona Fide Masks selected ShipBob® as their international Canadian 3PL partner, optimizing international deliveries while eliminating custom fees. Since these announcements, Bona Fide Masks is proud to establish four strategically located fulfillment centers in the United States and one in Canada. Collectively, these warehouses hold approximately 30 million masks in stock ready to ship within 24 hours. By leveraging these fulfillment centers, Bona Fide Masks can maintain competitive shipping services that align with the thriving e-commerce marketplace. 

The mask marketplace is complicated and confusing for many. In response, Bona Fide Masks has maintained an unwavering commitment to buyer confidence through a transparent business model and direct supply chain. The company has curated best-in-class product offerings which include the highest quality mask producers such as Powecom®, Harley Commodity®, DemeTECH®, and Chengde Technologies®. A key differentiator for Bona Fide Masks is its direct relationships with each of its partners to deliver customers the utmost protection in its supply chain integrity. To date, Bona Fide Masks is the exclusive distributor for Powecom KN95 products in the U. S. and the Authorized Distributor for Harley, DemeTECH and Chengde Technologies.

"Since masks have become a part of so many of our customers' everyday lives, we have been working with Powecom® to offer a variety of colors in the KN95 masks for both adults and children. Just this week, we launched a multi-color pack for adults that includes yellow, green, red, sky blue and a denim blue. And we are currently working with Powecom's product team and will be offering pink and denim blue colors in our headband KN95 masks along with the black and white colors. Part of our success is listening to our customers. So many customers share their disbelief that I post my mobile phone on all our company communications. As a 4^th generation, family-owned business, my customers are part of our family. I believe it's what makes our company so special that we know our customers and they help continue to shape our growth. With school mask mandates last fall, I had several parents ask me if we would consider offering our high-quality masks in a variety of kid-favored colors. We now offer our Powecom KN95-SM mask in blue, red, green, purple, yellow and sky blue. We are delighted to fulfill on our customer requests and continue to grow our company together." - Bill Taubner.

In addition to Bona Fidel Masks®' authentic and high-quality masks offering, the company recently launched a new product on its website, Celltrion DiaTrust™ Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test. The addition of this product is the result of a new distribution agreement between both companies naming Bona Fide Masks as Celltrion's Authorized Distributor. Celltrion Healthcare is a leading and globally recognized healthcare company with subsidiaries in 32 countries, 38 global partners, and products sold in 110 countries around the world. 

As Bona Fide Masks leads into the fall season, the company continues its impact initiatives donating 1 million KN95 masks to organizations in need. "Your incredible philanthropic initiative to donate a million masks is commendable and greatly appreciated by small universities and organizations more than you can imagine. Every dollar counts during these unstable economic times, and ensuring that our students, faculty, staff, and patients have personal protective equipment is more important than ever." - Jill Thornton, Pacific University. As of today, Bona Fide Masks has granted over 127 non-profits with 2,400 KN95 masks thanks to customer nominations. These efforts will continue over the next several weeks until they meet their 1 million mask donation promise. 

To learn more about Bona Fide Masks, visit www.bonafidemasks.com. 

More about Ball Chain Manufacturing. Co., Inc.:

Family-owned and -operated since 1938, Ball Chain is the only major U.S. manufacturer of metal ball chain and attachments. The company's ball chain is featured in window roller shades, light fixtures, plumbing devices, keychains, and jewelry items. Headquartered in Mount Vernon, New York, with global distribution, Ball Chain designs and fabricates innovative products while providing exemplary customer service. After entering the interior design market with ShimmerScreen® decorative metal curtains, the company further diversified its offerings with the launch of LogoTags, a promotional products division. Ball Chain is proud of its commitment to the American workforce and the environment. The company has earned industry recognition for its responsible business practices, including "green business" certification from the Green Business Bureau (GBB) and certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Contact Information:
Cristina Chianese
VP of Marketing & Strategy
[email protected]

Bill Taubner
President
[email protected]


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Original Source: Bona Fide Masks Corp., Exclusive U.S. Distributor for the Powecom® KN95 Line, Continues to Expand Product Offerings and Services