febrero 2021 – Página 74

Know Before You Buy: CARFAX Accident Information Helps Car Buyers Build Confidence

CENTREVILLE, Va., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Americans are driving less since COVID restrictions were enacted, and the number of accidents is also down. CARFAX data shows a 24% decrease in the number of accidents in the second half of 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. Because this is car-buying season and Americans are starting to get their tax refunds – it’s important for car shoppers to check for accident history. Damage could reduce the value of a vehicle by thousands of dollars, and…

CARFAX estimates as many as 40% of vehicles on U.S. roads have sustained damage during their lifetime; that’s about 110 million cars. CARFAX data also shows one in four cars are sold within a year of the incident. That’s why accident history is the No. 1 thing used-car shoppers look for in a vehicle’s history, and for good reason. The average impact on retail price is about $500, but that average impact on value jumps to more than $1,700 for a vehicle with severe damage in its past. CARFAX has a free valuation tool, History-Based Value, that takes into account vehicle-specific information, such as accidents, to calculate pricing.

Used-car shoppers should remember not all damage events are created equal. Just because a vehicle has an accident or damage event in its history doesn’t mean it’s a bad buy. Doing homework can pay off: Shoppers may save themselves some money by investigating damage severity. A CARFAX Vehicle History Report can not only show you accidents, but most reports also detail where the impact was and how severe the damage was. In addition to a CARFAX Report, we recommend taking any used car you’re considering for a test drive and have it inspected by a trained and independent mechanic. They can spot signs of repairs and make sure they were done properly, and mechanics can see places most shoppers can’t.

Additional Coverage: https://www.carfax.com/blog/buying-a-used-car-that-has-been-in-an-accident

How to read accident and damage information on a CARFAX Vehicle History Report: https://www.carfax.com/blog/how-to-read-accident-information-on-a-carfax-vehicle-history-report

How to Check for Damage on Used Cars: https://www.carfax.com/blog/how-to-check-for-accident-damage-on-a-used-car

About CARFAX
CARFAX, part of IHS Markit (NYSE: INFO), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides exclusive services like CARFAX Used Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX® Vehicle History Report™ to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world’s largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post and Glassdoor.com. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell – Show me the CARFAX™. Based in London, IHS Markit is a world leader in critical information, analytics and solutions.

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SOURCE CARFAX

What is the TCFD and How will it Shape American Business?

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Climate Service (TCS), a leader in climate risk analytics, today published a Q&A with COO Joseph Lake conveying the fundamentals of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) framework for assessing and disclosing climate risk. A resource for journalists, researchers, and industry professionals, the piece covers five things that American businesses should know about the TCFD.

As support for the TCFD grows around the world, discussion about the reporting framework is coming to the fore in the United States. Several indicators suggest the US may soon follow in the footsteps of New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and others, in mandating climate risk reporting in line with the TCFD.

Before joining TCS as Chief Operating Officer, Joseph Lake was the Managing Director for Climate Risk at The Economist where he launched The Economist’s inaugural Climate Risk Summit and led The Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) climate risk consulting services.

Founded in 2017, TCS has developed a software as a service product, the Climanomics® platform, to support reporting and disclosure aligned with the TCFD framework. The platform enables measurement and reporting of transition and physical risks and opportunities, in financial terms, under different climate scenarios. It evaluates assets anywhere in the world and projects over time horizons of 1-80 years.

Today, the platform is trusted by clients including the world’s largest banks, asset managers, real estate investors, Fortune 500 firms, and public bodies including the US Federal Government. In recent months, TCS announced collaborations with IBM and Aon and several other industry-leading companies, that have allowed the company to scale to meet unprecedented demand.

Read the full QA on the TCFD by clicking here.

About The Climate Service
Backed by an advisory board including four IPCC Nobel Prize-winning scientists, and strategic partners including Aon and IBM, The Climate Service has developed a software as a service product, the Climanomics® platform, to support reporting and disclosure aligned with the TCFD framework. Our company’s goal is to help investors, companies, and communities to understand their risks from the changing climate, and the opportunities from a transition to a low-carbon economy. Our mission is to embed climate risk data into every decision on the planet and facilitate the world’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

Contact: Julianne Hogan, julianne@benecomms.io

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SOURCE The Climate Service

FCANC Price Survey Protects Consumers’ Rights to Affordable Funerals

WILMINGTON, N.C., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Funeral Consumers Alliance North Carolina (FCANC) has released its first funeral price survey, a compilation of costs for basic services, cremations and burials from 728 funeral homes in 263 cities and towns across the state.

The nonprofit, all-volunteer consumer advocacy group posted the 2021 price survey on its website <a target="_blank"…

The nonprofit, all-volunteer consumer advocacy group posted the 2021 price survey on its website www.funeralsnc.org as part of its dedication to protecting a person’s right to choose a meaningful and affordable funeral.

Every two years the Alliance will conduct its statewide price survey by collecting, compiling and publishing it online.

«Funeral and burial arrangements are the third largest purchase we make after our homes and vehicles. It’s important that anyone planning a funeral—often under time constraints and emotional stress—can compare costs and know what to expect,» says Sara Williams, FCANC Board president.

FCANC Board members and volunteers contacted more than 700 funeral homes seeking current prices for three comparable listings: basic services, direct cremation and immediate burial. Listed by city in alphabetical order, the price survey includes the names, addresses, phone numbers and links to funeral homes’ websites.

Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory in Burlington was contacted by FCANC for the price survey.

«I’m all for price lists on websites because they help people make informed decisions,» says Lowe Funeral Director, Embalmer and Crematory Manager Jay Roberts. «We’ve had our prices easily accessible online for more than 10 years.»

The Federal Trade Commission may soon require all funeral homes to post price lists on their websites. Currently under regulatory review, the Funeral Rule is the only federal legislation that regulates the funeral industry.

«Never has the importance of access to affordable and ethical funeral care been more relevant than amid the ongoing pandemic,» adds FCANC President Williams.

For more information, visit www.FuneralsNC.org.

About Funeral Consumers Alliance North Carolina
Funeral Consumers Alliance North Carolina (FCANC) was formed in January 2020 when three chapters merged to become one and serve the entire state. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocates for the interests of funeral consumers and helps individuals and families save money and frustration when planning a funeral or purchasing funeral services and goods. FCANC does not have funds available to help with funeral expenses but offers resources on how to save money. FCANC is affiliated with the national Funeral Consumers Alliance based in Vermont. www.funeralsnc.org

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SOURCE Funeral Consumers Alliance North Carolina

Ballard Closes US$550 Million Bought Deal Offering of Common Shares

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – Ballard Power Systems (NASDAQ: BLDP) (TSX: BLDP) today announced the closing of the previously announced bought deal offering of 14,870,000 common shares of the Company (the «Common Shares») at a price of US$37.00 per Common Share (the «Offering Price») for gross proceeds of US$550,190,000 (the «Offering»).

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TD Securities Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc. acted as joint bookrunners for the Offering, with a syndicate of underwriters which includes BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., CIBC World Markets Inc., Raymond James Ltd., and Cormark Securities Inc. (collectively, the «Underwriters»).

The Underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional 2,230,500 Common Shares at the Offering Price to cover over-allotments, if any, and for market stabilization purposes, for a period of 30 days after the closing date of the Offering (the «Over-Allotment Option»). The exercise of the Over-Allotment Option may result in additional gross proceeds of up to US$82,528,500.

The Common Shares are offered by way of a short form prospectus filed in all of the provinces of Canada, excluding Quebec, and are offered in the United States pursuant to a registration statement on Form F-10 filed under the Canada/U.S. multijurisdictional disclosure system, and on a private placement basis in certain jurisdictions outside Canada and the United States pursuant to applicable prospectus exemptions.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, the Common Shares in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of that jurisdiction.

About Ballard Power Systems
Ballard Power Systems’ (NASDAQ: BLDP; TSX: BLDP) vision is to deliver fuel cell power for a sustainable planet. Ballard zero-emission PEM fuel cells are enabling electrification of mobility, including buses, commercial trucks, trains, marine vessels, passenger cars and forklift trucks. To learn more about Ballard, please visit www.ballard.com.

Important Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements concerning the Over-Allotment Option and the amount of the Offering. These forward-looking statements reflect Ballard’s current expectations as contemplated under section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any such forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date hereof, including Ballard’s assumptions relating to its financial forecasts and expectations regarding general market conditions and market demand. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause Ballard’s actual results to be materially different, including general economic and regulatory changes, detrimental reliance on third parties, successfully achieving our business plans and achieving and sustaining profitability. For a detailed discussion of these and other risk factors that could affect Ballard’s future performance, please refer to Ballard’s most recent Annual Information Form and the final short form prospectus dated February 18, 2021 relating to the Offering, which are available at www.sedar.com. Readers should not place undue reliance on Ballard’s forward-looking statements and Ballard assumes no obligation to update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, other than as required under applicable legislation.

A written prospectus relating to the Offering may be obtained by requesting it from TD Securities Inc. in Canada, Attention: Symcor, NPM (tel: 289-360-2009, email: sdcconfirms@td.com), 1625 Tech Avenue, Mississauga ON L4W 5P5; or TD Securities (USA) LLC in the U.S. (tel: 212-827-7392), 31 W 52^nd Street, New York NY 10019; or National Bank Financial Inc.: Equity Capital Markets, 130 King Street West, 4th Floor Podium, email: ecm-origination@nbc.ca.

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SOURCE Ballard Power Systems Inc.

CETY Announces Principal Payment of $555,000 of Variable Convertible Debt.

COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCQB: CETY), a clean energy company focusing on products and solutions in the energy efficiency and environmental sustainability market, announced today CETY has completed the repayment of $555,000 in principal amount of its variable rate convertible debt. $168,000 was paid by conversion into common stock.

Kam Mahdi,…

Kam Mahdi, Chief Executive Officer of CETY remarked, «Our improved financial condition and recent improvement in our stock price permitted the company to restructure its balance sheet to repay a substantial portion of our variable rate convertible debt and we plan to pay our final outstanding variable rate convertible note in the coming weeks. While we have found that variable rate convertible notes have provided the company with critical capital during difficult times, we believe we will be able to shift our capital structure to obtain less expensive and dilutive debt which should benefit the company and its stockholders. We believe we will continue to utilize debt to fund a portion of our projects which we expect to provide the fuel for our future growth, such as our expansion of our clean energy products into China.»

About Clean Energy Technologies, Inc. (CETY)
Headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, Clean Energy Technologies (CETY) delivers power from heat and biomass with zero emission and low cost. CETY designs, produces and markets clean energy products & solutions focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The Company’s principal product is the Clean Cycle™ magnetic bearing heat recovery generator, offered by CETY’s subsidiary Clean Energy HRS, or Heat Recovery Solutions.

The Clean Cycle™ system captures waste heat from a variety of sources and turns it into electricity that can be used or sold back to the grid. CETY’s proven, reliable technology allows municipal, commercial, and industrial users with heat sources, such as from biomass, industrial processes or energy production, to boost their overall energy efficiency with no additional fuel, no pollutants, and little ongoing maintenance. CETY’s common stock is currently traded on the OTC Market under the symbol CETY.

For more information, visit www.cetyinc.com or www.heatrecoverysolutions.com.

DISCLAIMER
This news release may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to achieving corporate objectives, developing additional project interests, the company’s analysis of opportunities in the acquisition and development of various project interests and certain other matters. These statements are made under the «Safe Harbor» provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein.

Contact:
Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.
Kam Mahdi, CEO
949-273-4990 x814
kmahdi@cetyinc.com

Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.
2990 Redhill Avenue
Costa Mesa , CA 92626
949.273.4990 main
949.273.4990 fax
www.cetyinc.com

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SOURCE Clean Energy Technologies, Inc.

Chemical Activity Barometer Rises In February

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB), a leading economic indicator created by the American Chemistry Council (ACC), rose 1.0% in February on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis following a 1.8% increase in January. On a year-over-year…

The unadjusted data show a 0.3% gain in February following a 2.0% increase in January. The diffusion index eased to 77% in February. The diffusion index marks the number of positive contributors relative to the total number of indicators monitored. The CAB reading for January was revised upward by 0.90 points and that for December was revised downward by 0.03 points. Keep in mind that the February data are provisional and subject to revision.

«With ten months of gains, the latest CAB reading is consistent with expansion in the U.S. economy,» said Kevin Swift, chief economist at ACC.

The CAB has four main components, each consisting of a variety of indicators: 1) production; 2) equity prices; 3) product prices; and 4) inventories and other indicators.

In February, production-related indicators were positive. Trends in construction-related resins and related performance chemistry were solid. Resins and chemistry used in other durable goods were strong. Plastic resins used in packaging and for consumer and institutional applications were positive. Performance chemistry for industry was strong. U.S. exports were positive, while equity prices increased. Product and input prices were positive, as were inventory and other supply chain indicators.

The CAB is a leading economic indicator derived from a composite index of chemical industry activity. Due to its early position in the supply chain, chemical industry activity has been found to consistently lead the U.S. economy’s business cycle, and the barometer can be used to determine turning points and likely trends in the broader economy. Month-to-month movements can be volatile, so a three-month moving average of the CAB reading is provided. This provides a more consistent and illustrative picture of national economic trends.

Applying the CAB back to 1912, it has been shown to provide a lead of two to 14 months, with an average lead of eight months at cycle peaks as determined by the National Bureau of Economic Research. The median lead was also eight months. At business cycle troughs, the CAB leads by one to seven months, with an average lead of four months. The median lead was three months. The CAB is rebased to the average lead (in months) of an average 100 in the base year (the year 2012 was used) of a reference time series. The latter is the Federal Reserve’s Industrial Production Index.

Chemical Activity Barometer for the Latest Six Months and Year-Ago Month*

	Feb-20	Sep-20	Oct-20	Nov-20	Dec-20	Jan-21	Feb-21

CAB (3MMA)	123.34	117.15	118.45	120.04	121.63	123.77	124.99
% M/M	0.2	1.5	1.1	1.3	1.3	1.8	1.0
% Y/Y	1.6	-4.5	-3.1	-1.9	-0.6	0.5	1.3

CAB	123.02	118.46	119.28	122.39	123.23	125.68	126.07
% M/M	-1.0	0.7	0.7	2.6	0.7	2.0	0.3
% Y/Y	1.3	-3.4	-2.2	0.0	0.4	1.1	2.5

*Percentage changes may not reflect index values due to rounding.

The CAB comprises indicators relating to the production of chlorine and other alkalies, pigments, plastic resins and other selected basic industrial chemicals; chemical company stock data; hours worked in chemicals; publicly sourced, chemical price information; end-use (or customer) industry sales-to-inventories; and several broader leading economic measures (building permits and new orders). Each month, ACC provides a barometer number reflecting activity data for the current month, as well as a three-month moving average. The CAB was developed by the Economics Department at ACC.

Current-month, unadjusted readings of the CAB are based on high-frequency weekly and daily data. For example, we use equity data as of the Thursday before the release date. Using mid-month data can lead to large revisions if conditions appreciably change in the second half of the month. We have moved the release dates for the CAB to the last Tuesday of each month. We hope this will minimize the revisions.

For the full data set, please visit https://www.americanchemistry.com/CAB-vs-Industrial-Production/. The next CAB is planned for March 30, 2021 at 9:10 a.m. ET.

The CAB is designed and prepared in compliance with ACC’s Antitrust Guidelines and FTC Safe Harbor Guidelines; does not use company-specific price information as input data; and data is aggregated such that company-specific and product-specific data cannot be determined. Note: ACC has strived to prepare this publication to provide the best available information. However, neither the American Chemistry Council, nor any of its employees, agents or other assigns makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any liability or responsibility for any use, or the results of such use, of any information or data disclosed in this material.

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SOURCE American Chemistry Council

Club Pilates Signs Master Franchise Agreement in Australia

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Club Pilates, the largest Pilates brand, announced today it has signed a Master Franchise Agreement in Australia, which gives the Master Franchisee the right to license at least 50 studios to potential franchisees in the country over the next decade. The deal is in collaboration with two husband-wife duos, Brendan and Jessica James, along with Lawrence and Sandy Boyle, all of whom are based in Queensland. As a qualified Pilates instructor, Brendan will be the CEO of the Australian operation with Jessica handling marketing and branding, while Lawrence and Sandy will spearhead franchise sales.

The Australian group brings an impressive combination of Pilates and franchising experience. Brendan was previously a Capital Markets executive with global trading company IMC Pacific, where he held senior roles in both Australia and the USA. Lawrence and Sandy have 30 years of experience in franchising, most recently as co-founders of their own 50 location franchise which they sold to retailer WHSmith. The team has three Pilates studios in Queensland currently, operating as Live Pilates, which will be immediately rebranded to Club Pilates to give the brand a strong start in Australia and set the stage for several more studios to come in 2021.

«Australians love premium global brands, and to be able to offer them access to the world’s largest Pilates brand, which has successful operating systems for both franchisees and members, provides us with an amazing opportunity and a sense of pride,» said Brendan James, CEO of PilateX Pty Ltd., the Master Franchise Partner for Club Pilates in Australia. «We are passionate about Pilates and the incredible health benefits it produces. Our passion for Club Pilates will be translated into, what we believe, can be Australia’s most successful and well-equipped network of Pilates studios.»

«We are delighted to add Australia to the growing list of countries where Club Pilates is making a positive impact,» said John Kersh, Chief International Development Officer for Xponential Fitness. «Brendan and his partners have extensive experience in Pilates and a successful track record in franchising, both of which make them a compelling force as Club Pilates begins its expansion in Australia. We look forward to their rapid development of this exciting market.»

Since making its first international debut in Canada in 2018, Club Pilates has quickly grown in popularity and shows no signs of slowing down in its mission to bring the low-impact, mind-body benefits of Pilates to populations across the globe. Over the last couple of years, the brand has opened locations in Saudi Arabia, Japan, and South Korea, with more studios in development in Spain, Germany, Singapore, and the Dominican Republic. Club Pilates is backed by Xponential Fitness, a curator of leading boutique fitness brands including Pure Barre, CycleBar, StretchLab, Row House, YogaSix, AKT, and STRIDE. Xponential is no stranger to the Australian fitness scene as it recently debuted its first CycleBar studio on the continent in Perth last fall, part of a deal that includes at least 45 locations.

Despite the pandemic, Club Pilates opened more than 60 new studios since 2020 and now has over 620 locations in North America. Due to its impressive domestic and international growth, Club Pilates has been ranked #1 on Franchise Times‘ Fast & Serious in both 2019 and 2020, landed at #104 on Entrepreneur Magazine‘s 2021 Franchise 500, marking its fifth consecutive year on the list, as well as appearing in Inc. Magazine‘s Inc. 5000 list three years running. For more information about owning a Club Pilates franchise, visit www.clubpilates.com/franchise.

About Club Pilates:

Founded in 2007, Club Pilates is the largest Pilates brand by number of studios, designed with the vision of making Pilates more accessible, approachable and welcoming to everyone. Based in Irvine, CA, Club Pilates has appeared in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list four years running, ranked #1 on Franchise Times’ Fast & Serious two years in a row, as well as landed on Inc. Magazine‘s Inc. 5000 three years running. Club Pilates offers extensive training certification for its instructors as its 500-hour training program includes instruction on Pilates, barre, Triggerpoint, and TRX Suspension Trainers. To learn more about the Pilates franchise opportunity, visit https://www.clubpilates.com/franchise.

Media contact:
David Robertson
Fishman Public Relations
drobertson@fishmanpr.com
847-945-1300

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SOURCE Club Pilates

AC Power and Citrine Power partner on a 4.3 MW solar land lease in NJ

NEW YORK, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Following a competitive bid process, Green Township in New Jersey has awarded a solar ground lease to developers AC Power, LLC and Citrine Power, LLC who will jointly develop and finance the solar system. The Township and the developers formalized a lease agreement this month to lease the lot on the former Trinca Airport property, located at 93 Airport Road. The property will be the site of a ground mounted solar system with a…

AC Power and Citrine Power applied for the New Jersey’s Community Solar Pilot Program’s second year solicitation. Both AC Power and Citrine Power were successful in the first year of the Community Solar Pilot Program with three AC Power projects and one Citrine Power projects selected by NJ BPU out of more than 250 applications. If the solar project on Green Township’s former Trinca Airport property is successfully selected into the second year of the Community Solar Program, it is estimated that approximately 1,000 homes will have access to the benefits of the renewable energy produced by the system. More than half of these households will be low-to-moderate income households in Jersey Power & Light (d/b/ First Energy) electric utility territory.

Annika Colston, President of AC Power, said, «Our team is excited to work with the leadership of Green Township to produce clean, renewably generated solar energy at the municipally-owned site of the former Trinca Airport. We look forward to building on our successful partnership with Citrine Power to develop this project.»

In the event the project is not awarded a Community Solar Program allocation this year, the development team will pursue other alternatives to bring the project to life such as participating in the to be announced successor program that NJ BPU is in the process of crafting or application to the third year of the Community Solar Program.

Cela Sinay-Bernie, Managing Partner of Citrine Power, commented, «We are looking forward to bringing another solar project to successful fruition in NJ in partnership with AC Power. We applaud the Green Township’s leadership in allowing a renewable power system to be their tenant on their property that will help reach the State of New Jersey its renewable portfolio standard goals.»

About AC Power, LLC

www.acpowerllc.com

About Citrine Power, LLC

https://www.citrinepower.com

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SOURCE AC Power

Future Forward: Ford Donates $250K to Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program to Accelerate STEM Careers for Underserved Students

DEARBORN, Mich., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Too often, underrepresented students simply don’t receive the resources, guidance and level of support needed to aide their pursuit of a successful STEM career. Working in concert with the educational 501(c)3 Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP), Ford is making a concerted effort to eliminate those barriers.

Ford is donating $250,000 to the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program to create a…

Ford is donating $250,000 to the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program to create a new signature program that encourages high school students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Called «Future Forward,» this program will engage 80 underrepresented students in a series of engineering courses, internships, and mentoring experiences to ensure they gain the aptitude, motivation and preparation needed to pursue successful STEM careers.

«I know from personal experience that young men and women in underserved communities need help overcoming the societal and financial obstacles that can derail even the most ambitious students who have significantly less access to achieving the American Dream,» said Ken Washington, chief technology officer, Ford Motor Company. «As Ford builds the future of mobility, we are building the ladders for a more diverse group of young people to reach their goals while helping us transform the world through programs such as Future Forward with the Detroit Area Prep-College Engineering Program.»

Intended to engage boys and girls in 11th and 12th grade, Future Forward will support students with pre-college preparation courses, mentorship from Ford employees, and the opportunity to apply for summer internships at the company.

«DAPCEP is thrilled to be selected to receive Ford STEM Signature Program funding. Ford has been one of DAPCEP’s founding partners and their decades of support has been vital to our impact in the community,» said DAPCEP Executive Director Michelle Reaves. «According to recent UCLA research, 22 percent of Black students and 29 percent of Latinx students complete a STEM degree within six years. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that the world will need more scientists, engineers and researchers who represent and support underrepresented communities.»

Future Forward was created by Washington’s Research and Innovation Center team that helps organize the company’s wide-ranging STEM efforts, with a focus on expanding its student outreach and making a significant impact on existing educational programs. The group received additional funding in 2021 to expand support for eligible programs that aim to generate a meaningful way for students to experience STEM fields and expand access to underserved communities. In addition to funding, Ford provides program engagement as well as student mentorship.

Established 44 years ago, DAPCEP provides rigorous and inspiring STEM programming to 11,000 pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout Southeast Michigan each year. With a 50:50 female-male ratio and near 100 percent graduation rate, DAPCEP remains one of the leading organizations for maximizing youth potential. DAPCEP collaborates with a variety of local schools and universities, corporations, community organizations, and public entities. Since their founding, DAPCEP has amassed more than 68,000 alumni, 70 percent of whom have entered STEM careers. Approximately 150 of DAPCEP alumni have worked at Ford.

Climbing ladders to STEM success

Future Forward will be focused on supporting students in three key ways:

Building student aptitude in foundational mechanical engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, and engineering design-thinking topics to prepare them for success in post-secondary STEM courses.
Increasing student awareness of potential career pathways at Ford and offering students the opportunity to engage with current STEM practitioners.
Providing support to high school students from racial and ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in STEM to persist in STEM pathways.

Beginning in February 2021, Future Forward will initiate two separate tracks to serve students. On the first track, the program will select 40 high-achieving 12th grade students to participate in the eight-week «Steps to Success» course, which focuses on topics such as college transition, career awareness and exposure, professional and workplace skills, networking and financial literacy.

As part of this course, students will also be able to apply for the summer internship program at Ford, which will designate 10 spaces for DAPCEP students. Students who are not selected for internships will participate in a robust mentorship program developed in partnership with Ford employees. They will also participate in a pre-year-1 college program consisting of continuing support from DAPCEP and mentorship by Ford employees.

On the second track of the program, beginning February 2021, 40 11th grade students will take part in a series of eight-week academic courses focused on mechanical engineering, computer science and electrical engineering. These courses will help ensure students understand foundational concepts and will be built with input from Ford employees to ensure the curriculum reflects current industry practices.

Students interested in learning more about DAPCEP and the Future Forward program can visit: http://www.dapcep.org/programs/ford-future-forward.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford trucks, utility vehicles, and cars – increasingly including electrified versions – and Lincoln luxury vehicles; provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company; and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected vehicle services. Ford employs approximately 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit corporate.ford.com.

Media Contact

Wes Sherwood, Ford Motor Company, 1-313-573-3530, wsherwoo@ford.com

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SOURCE Ford Motor Company

VegasSlotsOnline News Analysis: How a Pandemic Affected Casino Markets Across the Globe

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — New VegasSlotsOnline News analysis shows that the world’s casino operators faced serious challenges throughout 2020 in the wake of COVID-19. Key takeaways:

Revenue fell 31% for US casinos, 79% in Macau, 33% for Europe land-based gaming
Nevada, the home of US gambling, saw 2020 gaming revenue plummet as restrictions took…

Revenue fell 31% for US casinos, 79% in Macau, 33% for Europe land-based gaming
Nevada, the home of US gambling, saw 2020 gaming revenue plummet as restrictions took effect

According to the latest American Gaming Association data, total US commercial gaming revenue fell by 31% for the year, to $30bn. Meanwhile, Macau venues posted total revenue of $7.57bn, showing a staggering 79% year-on-year decline. Overall, the market was down $28.93bn, dwarfing US total losses.

Europe’s operators seemingly fared best out of the three markets, losing an estimated $10.6bn from 2019 levels. Still, EGBA projections for 2020 land-based gaming revenue indicate a considerable 33% year-on-year drop.

Vegas an indicator of US struggles

In Las Vegas, the impact of the March casino closures became evident as Nevada posted its worst full-year GGR since 1996. The Strip saw its worst full month in 27 years last December. Across the US, Pennsylvania gaming revenue fell 22% for 2020, while New Jersey posted a drop of 17%.

There is now hope for a casino market rebound as restrictions gradually lift. Betfred executive Stephen A. Crystal predicts Vegas’s return to growth in under two years, while MGM CEO Bill Hornbuckle anticipates a 90% recovery in resort business by 2022.

Cracks widen in Macau

Despite Macau casinos closing for just two weeks in February 2020, they struggled with border restrictions imposed by COVID-19. The region saw only 250,000 visitors in the month after casinos reopened, down 92% year-on-year. Visitor numbers have remained low.

Las Vegas Sands’ Macau GGR fell 81% in 2020 to $1.7bn, as MGM’s and Wynn Resorts’ Macau operations saw full-year declines of 78% and 89%. The gambling hub ended the year with its worst gaming revenue since 2010. JP Morgan analysts predict a return to 2019 gaming revenue levels in Q3 2021, while Morgan Stanley forecasts a return to growth in the full-year revenue of 2022.

UK lockdowns clip casino wings

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered the shuttering of casinos in March 2020, with facilities remaining closed for almost five months after the first lockdown. Constant delays to reopening proved expensive for operators across the country, forcing Genting UK to permanently close down casinos and all live poker rooms.

As the region remains under full lockdown conditions, the Betting and Gaming Council has urged the UK government not to exclude casinos from upcoming reopening plans.

Read the full analysis by Owain Flanders in the VegasSlotsOnline News section.

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The VegasSlotsOnline News section has become a respected source of gambling news since launching in 2018. With a primary focus on the US and UK markets, we publish daily updates from all corners of the industry, including gambling legislation, casino, poker, sports betting, and iGaming.

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