Dallas/Fort Worth Selected as Pilot Market for American Dream 2021: Showcase of Smart Homes

DALLAS, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — House X today announced Houston, Texas as one of the 21 Pilot Markets to launch the American Dream 2021,

DALLAS, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — House X today announced Houston, Texas as one of the 21 Pilot Markets to launch the American Dream 2021, expanding home ownership; featuring over 40,000 new, healthier, energy-efficient homes across the country valued at over $18 Billion with up to $364 million in stimulus by providing home buyers free renewable energy and a discounted mortgage. 

The virtual home buying event is limited to selected markets in the United States–admission is free to consumers. Free stimulus incentives apply to all contracts executed from January 27-April 15, 2021 for registered home buyers.

The Dallas/Fort Worth Pilot includes: 

  • Over 7,922 new homes in over 665 communities with 1,389 homes ready for quick move-in
  • Renewable electricity at zero cost to registered home buyers 
  • 1% discounted mortgage for the first 12 months, followed by either 14 or 29 years of fixed-rate record low mortgage rate on FDA conforming loans
  • Local Impact:
    • Potential reduction in carbon emissions–equivalent of removing 17,428 gas-powered cars off the road per year 
    • Potential free stimulus for renewable energy= $58.6 million going back into the local economy 

Experts Available for Interview:

  • House X: William Farrell, President
  • Delos: Paul Scialla, CEO and Founder 
  • RESNET: Ryan Meres, Program Director 
  • The MReport: Rachel Williams 

WHY: The purpose of the event is to expand home ownership by educating consumers on the advantages of smart, healthier, sustainable homes that are more efficient, lower carbon footprint and less expensive to own, operate, protect and maintain – lowering total cost of ownership. The home is more important than ever since the onset of the pandemic and the trend was a highlight at CES with smart home technology with a focus on hygiene, cleanliness, energy-efficiency and sustainability.

HOW:

  • The Smart Mortgage™: House X has partnered with a leading mortgage lender to create a special below-market mortgage; a one percent discounted mortgage for the first 12 months of a 15- or 30-year fixed rate conforming mortgage. 
  • The Healthier Home: In collaboration with Delos, every home buyer will receive a multi-room advanced air purification system for their new home upon move-in, helping reduce particles that carry airborne bacteria, viruses and allergens.
  • The Location Report™:  Nothing will impact the financial picture of a home as much as its location. With custom insights available nowhere else, the House X Location Report reveals 300+ insights about any address in America. It is free to registered home shoppers.
  • The RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. Similar to a MPG sticker for cars, except for new homes.

WHEN: American Dream 2021 Pilot Program will include free stimulus incentives on fully executed purchase contracts between January 27 – April 15, 2021.

WHERE: American Dream 2021 is limited to home purchases in selected pilot cities available on houseX.com. 

PILOT MARKETS:

CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles/Riverside Area 

Orange County 

Sacramento

San Diego Area

San Francisco

FLORIDA

Jacksonville

Orlando

Naples

Sarasota

Tampa 

Miami

GEORGIA

Atlanta

NORTH CAROLINA

Charlotte

Raleigh/Durham

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia

TENNESSEE 

Nashville 

TEXAS

Austin

Dallas/Fort Worth

Houston

San Antonio

About House X:

House X World is a consumer-focused Smart Home Marketplace that empowers home enthusiasts with data and resources to make more informed decisions while making their home purchase and investing on the consumer’s behalf to make a home a smart home at zero cost to them.  HOUSE X companies are consumer advocates and licensed realty organizations that exclusively represent home shoppers and buyers – not home sellers.  The company serves as the primary manager of American Dream Pilot Project. The executives of House X have over 40 years of experience in representing builders, developers, Federal, State and local governments.

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SOURCE House X

Sarasota Selected as Pilot City for American Dream 2021: Showcase of Smart Homes

SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — House X today announced Sarasota, Florida, as one of the 21 Pilot Cities to launch the American Dream…

SARASOTA, Fla., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — House X today announced Sarasota, Florida, as one of the 21 Pilot Cities to launch the American Dream 2021, expanding home ownership; featuring over 40,000 new, healthier, energy-efficient homes across the country valued at over $18 billion with up to $364 million in stimulus by providing home buyers free renewable energy and a discounted mortgage. 

The virtual home buying event is limited to selected markets in the United States — admission is free to consumers. Free stimulus incentives apply to all contracts executed from Jan. 27-April 15, 2021, for registered home buyers.

The Sarasota Pilot includes: 

  • Over 1,236 new homes in over 133 communities with 330 homes ready for quick move-in
  • Renewable electricity at zero cost to registered home buyers 
  • 1% discounted mortgage for the first 12 months, followed by either 14 or 29 years of fixed-rate record-low mortgage rate on FDA conforming loans
  • Local Impact:
    • Potential reduction in carbon emissions — equivalent of removing 2,719 gas-powered cars off the road per year 
    • Potential free stimulus for renewable energy = $9.888 million going back into the local economy 

Experts Available for Interview:

  • House X: William Farrell, President
  • Delos: Paul Scialla, CEO and Founder 
  • RESNET: Ryan Meres, Program Director 
  • The MReport: Rachel Williams 

WHY: The purpose of the event is to expand home ownership by educating consumers on the advantages of smart, healthier, sustainable homes that are more efficient, lower carbon footprint and less expensive to own, operate, protect and maintain — lowering total cost of ownership. The home is more important than ever since the onset of the pandemic and the trend was a highlight at CES with smart home technology with a focus on hygiene, cleanliness, energy-efficiency and sustainability.

HOW:

  • The Smart Mortgage™: House X has partnered with a leading mortgage lender to create a special below-market mortgage; a one percent discounted mortgage for the first 12 months of a 15- or 30-year fixed rate conforming mortgage. 
  • The Healthier Home: In collaboration with Delos, every home buyer will receive a multi-room advanced air purification system for their new home upon move-in, helping reduce particles that carry airborne bacteria, viruses and allergens.
  • The Location Report™: Nothing will impact the financial picture of a home as much as its location. With custom insights available nowhere else, the House X Location Report reveals 300+ insights about any address in America. It is free to registered home shoppers.
  • The RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index is the nationally recognized system for inspecting and calculating a home’s energy performance. Similar to a MPG sticker for cars, except for new homes.

WHEN: American Dream 2021 Pilot Program will include free stimulus incentives on fully executed purchase contracts between Jan. 27-April 15, 2021.

WHERE: American Dream 2021 is limited to home purchases in selected pilot cities available on HouseX.com. 

PILOT MARKETS:

CALIFORNIA

Los Angeles/Riverside Area 

Orange County 

Sacramento

San Diego Area

San Francisco

FLORIDA

Jacksonville

Orlando

Naples

Sarasota

Tampa 

Miami

GEORGIA

Atlanta

NORTH CAROLINA

Charlotte

Raleigh/Durham

PENNSYLVANIA

Philadelphia

TENNESSEE 

Nashville 

TEXAS

Austin

Dallas/Fort Worth

Houston

San Antonio

About House X:

House X World is a consumer-focused Smart Home Marketplace that empowers home enthusiasts with data and resources to make more informed decisions while making their home purchase and investing on the consumer’s behalf to make a home a smart home at zero cost to them. HOUSE X companies are consumer advocates and licensed realty organizations that exclusively represent home shoppers and buyers — not home sellers. The company serves as the primary manager of American Dream Pilot Project. The executives of House X have over 40 years of experience in representing builders, developers, federal, state and local governments.

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house-x-logo.jpg
House X Logo

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SOURCE House X

Ecotourism Market to Reach $333.8 Bn, Globally, by 2027 at 14.3% CAGR: Allied Market Research

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Allied Market Research published a report, titled,«Ecotourism Market by Traveler Type (Solo and Group), Age Group (Generation X, Generation Y and Generation Z), and Sales Channel (Travel Agents and Direct): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2027.»According to the report, the global ecotourism industry generated…

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Allied Market Research published a report, titled,«Ecotourism Market by Traveler Type (Solo and Group), Age Group (Generation X, Generation Y and Generation Z), and Sales Channel (Travel Agents and Direct): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2027.»According to the report, the global ecotourism industry generated $181.1 billion in 2019, and is projected to garner $333.8 billion by 2027, witnessing a CAGR of 14.3% from 2021 to 2027.

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Drivers, restraints, and opportunities

Increase in travel and tourism to unique destinations, inclination toward exploration of wildlife, coral reefs, and pristine undisturbed natural areas, and surge in focus on sustainability drive the global ecotourism market. However, low availability of accommodation and limited availability of quality and hygienic restaurants at destinations hinder the market growth. On the other hand, public-private partnerships in the form of subsidizing air routes to remote tourist destinations, improvement of transport capabilities, and providing ease of access create new opportunities in the coming years.

Request Sample Report at: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/6729

Covid-19 Scenario

  • Travel restrictions across the world hindered the exploration of new destinations, remote places, and sightseeing activities. The means ofpublic transportation such as buses, trains, and air were banned during the lockdown.
  • Many destinations and tourist spots were closed down by governments to avoid gathering of people and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
  • Countries across the world have been building a more resilient tourism system during the post-Covid-19 pandemic period. Governments have been implementing structural transformation and offering financial stimulus for supporting the tourism sector.

The group segment to continue its leadership status throughout the forecast period

Based on traveler type, the group segment contributed to the highest market share, accounting for nearly four-fifths of the global ecotourism market in 2019, and will continue its leadershipstatus throughout the forecast period. This is due tosecurity concerns at new and unexplored destinations, low expenses while traveling in a group and shared interest and experiencesthat enable people tobonding together very quickly.However, the solo segment is expected to manifest the fastest CAGR of 15.9% from 2021 to 2027, owing tobenefits of being in charge of the whole travel schedule, possibility of gathering new experiences, prospects to meet new people, and gaining a sense of empowerment.

The generation Y segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

Based on age group, the generation Y segment accounted for the largest share in 2019, holding nearly three-fifths of the global ecotourism market, and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. This is due to preference toward spending on unique experiences rather than materialistic things and high environmental consciousness. However, the generation Z segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR of 15.6% from 2021 to 2027. This is attributed toimprovement of online channelsand digital marketing strategies to attract customers and unique, interactive, and social experiences sought by travelers.

North America to grow at the fastest CAGR

Based on region, North America is projected to witness the highest CAGR of 16.2% during the forecast period, owing tolarge number of environment-conscious travelers and rapid adoption of digital media to search and travel to new destinations. However, Asia-Pacific held the largest share in terms of revenue in 2019, accounting for nearly two-fifths of the global ecotourism market, and will maintain its dominance in terms of revenue by 2027. This is attributed topresence of large number of millennial travelers supported by increased disposable income and expansion of infrastructure.

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Leading market players

  • Travel Leaders Group, LLC
  • Aracari Travel
  • FROSCH International Travel, Inc.
  • Undiscovered Mountains Ltd.
  • Adventure Alternative
  • Intrepid Group Limited
  • Rickshaw Travel Group
  • G Adventures
  • Steppes discovery
  • Small World Journeys Pty. Ltd.

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Similar Reports:

Agritourism Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021–2027

Leisure Travel Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2027

Culinary Tourism Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026

Adventure Tourism Market: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2019-2026

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of «Market Research Reports» and «Business Intelligence Solutions.» AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domains. AMR offers its services across 11 industry verticals including Life Sciences, Consumer Goods, Materials & Chemicals, Construction & Manufacturing, Food & Beverages, Energy & Power, Semiconductor & Electronics, Automotive & Transportation, ICT & Media, Aerospace & Defense, and BFSI.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research

AllTrails Celebrates 1 Million Paid Subscribers

Milestone Cements the Brand’s Vision to Democratize Access to the Outdoors For All

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — AllTrails, the most trusted and used digital guide to the outdoors announced a substantial milestone – surpassing 1 million paid subscribers for its premium service, AllTrails Pro….

Milestone Cements the Brand’s Vision to Democratize Access to the Outdoors For All

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — AllTrails, the most trusted and used digital guide to the outdoors announced a substantial milestone – surpassing 1 million paid subscribers for its premium service, AllTrails Pro. Home to the largest collection of hand-curated trail guides, the outdoor recreation website and app also maintains a global community of over 25 million registered users.

Even prior to the pandemic, the outdoor sector was experiencing rapid year-over-year growth as more people turned to nature for mental and physical health. By May 2020, when pandemic lockdowns loosened, AllTrails saw an accelerated surge of usage as people reconnected with the outdoors. The company saw record-breaking growth continue through December, a contrast to the seasonal growth that is typical in the outdoor industry. While habit changes during the pandemic further accelerated business performance, the behavior also underscores the impact nature has on mental and physical health. 

«At AllTrails, we believe that everyone has a right to the outdoors, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, or socioeconomic standing,» said Ron Schneidermann, CEO of AllTrails. «Our public lands are for everyone to enjoy and to experience the mental, physical, and emotional health benefits that come from spending time outside. This level of growth confirms that we are on the right path in leveraging technology to democratize access to the outdoors for all.»

To commemorate the milestone, AllTrails, a 1% For The Planet member, is partnering with One Tree Planted to plant 10 thousand trees – one thousand trees for each year AllTrails has served its global community of outdoor enthusiasts.

«AllTrails’ breakout growth is representative of a larger trend of people adopting new lifestyles and looking to the outdoors,» said Ben Spero, managing director at Spectrum Equity, a growth equity firm that is AllTrails’ majority shareholder. «It’s a rare accomplishment for a consumer subscription service to reach 1 million paid subscribers, and this milestone is a testament to the unique service AllTrails provides its community in helping connect them to the outdoors and to nature,» he added.

In the past year, AllTrails has achieved:

  • One million AllTrails Pro subscribers
  • Over 25 million cumulative registered users
  • Nearly 130% year-over-year increase in daily active users
  • Publishing of nearly 200 thousand trail guides
  • Trail coverage in 190 countries, 30 territories, and all 7 continents

About AllTrails
AllTrails is the most trusted and used outdoors platform in the world. We help people explore the outdoors with hand-curated trail maps along with photos, reviews, and user recordings crowdsourced from our community of millions of registered hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners in over 200 countries. AllTrails is frequently ranked as a top-5 Health and Fitness app and has been downloaded by over 30 million people worldwide.

For more information on AllTrails or the AllTrails iOS or Android mobile app please contact press@alltrails.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Meaghan Praznik
meaghan@alltrails.com

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SOURCE AllTrails

BioHiTech Receives Approximately $2 Million in New Food Waste Digester Orders for 14 Ships from Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises

CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — BioHiTech Global, Inc. («BioHiTech» or the «Company») (NASDAQ: BHTG), a sustainable technology and services company, announced today it has received approximately $2 million in new Revolution Series™ food digesters purchase orders for 12 Carnival Cruise Lines ships and 2 Princess Cruises ships.  BioHiTech expects to fulfil the orders through the second quarter of 2021.

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CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — BioHiTech Global, Inc. («BioHiTech» or the «Company») (NASDAQ: BHTG), a sustainable technology and services company, announced today it has received approximately $2 million in new Revolution Series™ food digesters purchase orders for 12 Carnival Cruise Lines ships and 2 Princess Cruises ships.  BioHiTech expects to fulfil the orders through the second quarter of 2021.

«Our continued strong relationship with the Carnival family of brands underscores their dedication to sustainable food waste management and the long-awaited re-launch of seafaring travel.  These additional orders are further testament to Carnival’s confidence and belief in BioHiTech’s sustainable food waste disposal solutions, which, together with our proprietary analytics platform are a cornerstone of food waste management planning,» commented Tony Fuller, BioHiTech’s Chief Executive Officer. 

The Revolution Series digesters, equipped with BioHiTech’s proprietary data analytics platform, are part of the Carnival umbrella’s comprehensive plan to limit food waste, achieve safe onboard disposal, and improve associated environmental outcomes.

About BioHiTech Global
BioHiTech Global, Inc. (NASDAQ: BHTG), is a technology services company focused on providing cost-effective solutions that improve environmental outcomes. Our technologies for waste management include the patented processing of municipal solid waste into a valuable renewable fuel, biological disposal of food waste on-site, and proprietary real-time data analytics tools to reduce food waste generation. When used individually or in combination, our solutions lower the carbon footprint associated with waste transportation and can reduce or virtually eliminate landfill usage. In addition, we distribute a patented technology that achieves high-level disinfection of spaces such as classrooms, hotel or hospital rooms and other enclosed areas to combat the spread of viruses and bacteria without the use of harsh chemicals. Our unique solutions enable businesses, educational institutions and municipalities of all sizes to solve everyday problems in a smarter and more cost-effective way while reducing their impact on the environment. For more information, please visit www.biohitech.com.

Forward Looking Statements
Statements in this document contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements, including statements about the estimated contract value, additional purchase orders or deliveries, and the ability of the Company’s products to improve environmental outcomes and achieve corporate sustainability goals, are based on many assumptions and estimates and are not guarantees of future performance. These statements may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of BioHiTech Global, Inc. to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. BioHiTech Global, Inc. assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation those set forth as «Risk Factors» in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission («SEC»). There may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the BioHiTech’s SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statement. BioHiTech Global, Inc. assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by securities laws.

Company Contact:
BioHiTech Global, Inc.
Lisa Giovannielli
VP, Corporate Communications
O: 888.876.9300
E: lgiovannielli@biohitech.com 
www.biohitech.com

Investors: 
ir@biohitech.com

Media:
pr@coreir.com

 

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SOURCE BioHiTech Global, Inc.

50 Prominent Women Run Full Page Ad in The New York Times Calling on President Biden to Implement Marshall Plan for Moms in First 100 Days

NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Fifty women today signed a letter in the New York Times, led by Girls Who Code founder and CEO Reshma Saujani, calling on the Biden Administration to create a task force dedicated to implementing a «Marshall Plan for Moms,» to pay mothers for their unpaid, unseen labor and to pass policies addressing parental leave, affordable childcare, and pay equity.

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NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Fifty women today signed a letter in the New York Times, led by Girls Who Code founder and CEO Reshma Saujani, calling on the Biden Administration to create a task force dedicated to implementing a «Marshall Plan for Moms,» to pay mothers for their unpaid, unseen labor and to pass policies addressing parental leave, affordable childcare, and pay equity.

«This is not an isolated incident—it is a national crisis.»

«This pandemic has absolutely decimated the careers of working moms across the country,» said Reshma Saujani, founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. «This is not an isolated incident—it is a national crisis, and we can start to address it within the first 100 days of this Administration.»

According to a report from the National Women’s Law Center, more than 2 million women have left the U.S. workforce since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. A December 2020 report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicated that women were leaving the workforce at four times the rate of men.

«In December, all the jobs lost in the U.S. economy were lost by women,» said Saujani. «And the situation is particularly bad for Black women, 154,000 of whom left the workforce entirely. We need to put in place a plan for moms, and we need it now.»

«Sound crazy? It’s not,» says the letter—which ran as a full page ad in The New York Times today. «It’s time to put a dollar figure on our labor. Motherhood isn’t a favor and it’s not a luxury. It’s a job. The first 100 days are an opportunity to define our values. So let’s start by valuing moms.»

The women who signed onto the letter are as follows: Toyin Ajayi, Cityblock Health; Katia Beauchamp, Birchbox; Katie Bethell, Paid Leave for the US (PL + US); Connie Britton; Jean Brownhill, Sweeten; Tarana Burke, ‘me too.’ Movement; Melissa Butler, The Lip Bar; Claudia Chan, S.H.E. Summit; Julia Collins, Planet FWD; Dr. Dara Kass; Tiffany Dufu, The Cru; Anu Duggal, Female Founders Fund; Sarah Eagle Heart, Eagle Heart Collectiv; Crystal Echo Hawk, Executive Director, IllumiNative; Sarah Sophie Flicker, Artist and Activist; Liuba Grechen Shirley, Vote Mama; Mindy Grossman, WW International, Inc.; Desiree Gruber, Full Picture; Sarah Harden, Hello Sunshine; Naomi Hirabayashi, Shine; Chelsea Hirschhorn, Frida Mom; Jennifer Hyman, Rent the Runway; Payal Kadakia, Classpass; Sallie Krawcheck, Ellevest; Maria Teresa Kumar, VotoLatino; Marisa Renee Lee, Beacon Advisors; Cindi Leive, The Meteor; Marah Lidey, Shine; Eva Longoria; Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood; Paola Mendoza, Artist, Filmmaker and Activist; Alyssa Milano; Julianne Moore; Ana Ortiz; Hitha Palepu, #5SmartReads; Dee Poku, The WIE Suite; Mónica Ramirez, Activist and Organizer; Geena Rocero, Transgender Advocate; Eve Rodsky, Author, Fair Play; Katherine Ryder, Maven; Reshma Saujani, Girls Who Code; Amy Schumer; Rachel Sklar, TheLuckiest.com; Tabitha St. Bernard-Jacobs; Women’s March, Amber Tamblyn; Charlize Theron; Salamishah Tillet, A Long Walk Home; Gabrielle Union; Alexa von Tobel, Inspired Capital; Whitney Wolfe Herd, Bumble.

For more information, visit www.marshallplanformoms.com.

The full text of the full page ad in The New York Times reads as follows:

Dear President Biden:

You know this well: moms are the bedrock of society. And we’re tired of working for free.

We need a Marshall Plan for Moms — now.

Like the original Marshall Plan of 1948, this plan would be a financial investment in rebuilding from the ground up.

COVID has decimated so many of our careers. Two million of us have left the workforce, at a rate of four times that of men in September alone. Millions more have been forced to cut back our hours or work around the clock to keep our jobs and be full-time caregivers.

This is not an isolated incident — it is a national crisis. You didn’t create this problem, but your administration has an opportunity to fix it. In your first 100 days, we’re asking you to: 

Establish a task force to create a Marshall Plan for Moms.

Implement a short-term monthly payment to moms depending on needs and resources.

Pass long overdue policies like paid family leave, affordable childcare and pay equity.

Sound crazy? It’s not.

It’s time to put a dollar figure on our labor. Motherhood isn’t a favor and it’s not a luxury. It’s a job.

The first 100 days are an opportunity to define our values. So let’s start by valuing moms.

About Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is an international non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology and change the image of what a programmer looks like and does. With their 7-week Summer Immersion Program, after school Clubs, and College Loops program, they are leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. Girls Who Code has reached 300,000 girls to date through its programs and 500 million people through campaigns, advocacy work, and New York Times best-selling series. To join the movement or learn more, visit girlswhocode.com. Follow the organization on social media @GirlsWhoCode.

 

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SOURCE Girls Who Code

2020 U.S. Housing Market Gains Were Biggest in 15 Years

SEATTLE, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. housing gained nearly $2.5 trillion in value in 2020 — the most in a single year since 2005, according to a new Zillow® analysis. The full stock of U.S. housing is now worth <span…

SEATTLE, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. housing gained nearly $2.5 trillion in value in 2020 — the most in a single year since 2005, according to a new Zillow® analysis. The full stock of U.S. housing is now worth $36.2 trillion

2020 was a remarkable year for the housing market. Strong demand drove intense competition among buyers, causing homes to fly off the market at the fastest pace Zillow has recorded and pushing prices higher. Housing demand was already strong coming into the year with the large Millennial generation aging into prime first-time home-buying age and mortgage rates hovering near record lows. The widespread shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many to reevaluate their housing options and supercharged demand. 

Zillow expects 2021 to be even stronger, possibly exceeding last year’s $2.5 trillion gain. With mortgage rates also likely to rise from today’s near-record low levels, buyers considering a move may want to do so soon before their potential monthly payments rise. 

«2020 was a record-breaking year for the housing market with intense competition among buyers driving up home prices,» said Zillow economist Treh Manhertz. «While many faced financial hardships because of the pandemic, others fortunate enough to maintain stable income took a step back to contemplate what they wanted their home to be and hopped on Zillow to help find a place that filled their wish list. Builder confidence, perhaps in reaction to the boosted demand, hit record highs and more homes are being built as a result. Add that together and you see why the housing market gained more than in any year since the Great Recession.»

More than a fifth (21.4%) of the nation’s housing value resides in California. Homes in California are worth a cumulative $7.8 trillion, more than the next three states combined, and the state boasts four of the 10 metro areas with the highest total housing value — Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and San Diego. 

North Dakota ($64 billion), Wyoming ($70 billion) and South Dakota ($72 billion), three of the least-populous states, have the smallest shares of the U.S. housing market. Alaska was the only state where the housing stock lost value in 2020, down 1.8% or about $1.5 billion. That was caused by relatively low levels of new construction and declining values among homes in Alaska’s top tier. 

Over the past decade, the total value of the housing stock has more than doubled in six states. Idaho leads the way, gaining 149% since 2011. Most of that growth comes from the Boise metro, where the total housing stock has more than tripled in value during that time, most of any of the 100 largest U.S. metros. Nevada (146.3%), Utah (126.2%), Arizona (116.5%), Colorado (111.6%) and Washington (108%) also saw their total housing market value double over the past decade. 

At a local level, the New York metro area continues to hold the most housing value, though its lead is shrinking. New York metro homes are worth $3.1 trillion in total, with Los Angeles ($2.8 trillion) and San Francisco ($1.7 trillion) homes also exceeding $1 trillion. Seven metros gained more value than New York in 2020, reducing the gap at the top of the list. The value of Los Angeles’ housing stock grew the most last year, up $262 billion — that’s more than the total value of homes in Las Vegas, Orlando and Nashville, to name a few. 

Total Housing Market Value by Metro

Metro Area*

Total Housing
Market Value
(Billions)

Total Housing Market
Value Growth: 2020
(Billions)

Total Housing Market Value
Growth: 2011-2020 (Billions)

New York, NY

$3,132

$57

$639

Los Angeles, CA

$2,813

$262

$1,358

Chicago, IL

$849

$44

$195

Dallas-Fort Worth, TX

$625

$38

$333

Philadelphia, PA

$622

$49

$143

Houston, TX

$533

$42

$272

Washington, DC

$978

$75

$334

Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL

$698

$35

$327

Atlanta, GA

$570

$50

$287

Boston, MA

$955

$79

$398

San Francisco, CA

$1,712

$90

$913

Detroit, MI

$354

$32

$189

Riverside, CA

$551

$45

$285

Phoenix, AZ

$563

$67

$328

Seattle, WA

$791

$73

$433

Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

$399

$29

$167

San Diego, CA

$713

$90

$360

St. Louis, MO

$230

$16

$63

Tampa, FL

$310

$34

$164

Baltimore, MD

$313

$20

$56

Denver, CO

$497

$48

$283

Pittsburgh, PA

$184

$8

$60

Portland, OR

$382

$34

$194

Charlotte, NC

$263

$28

$158

Sacramento, CA

$377

$38

$202

San Antonio, TX

$167

$9

$74

Orlando, FL

$230

$15

$127

Cincinnati, OH

$187

$23

$74

Cleveland, OH

$149

$12

$43

Kansas City, MO

$189

$18

$79

Las Vegas, NV

$233

$18

$140

Columbus, OH

$186

$20

$90

Indianapolis, IN

$166

$18

$80

San Jose, CA

$747

$53

$418

Austin, TX

$264

$27

$152

Virginia Beach, VA

$181

$18

$48

Nashville, TN

$213

$12

$114

Providence, RI

$218

$18

$67

Milwaukee, WI

$134

$8

$42

Jacksonville, FL

$149

$15

$73

Memphis, TN

$92

$11

$39

Oklahoma City, OK

$88

$7

$33

Louisville, KY

$94

$4

$29

Hartford, CT

$112

$7

$15

Richmond, VA

$126

$8

$35

New Orleans, LA

$127

$5

$40

Buffalo, NY

$97

$9

$37

Raleigh, NC

$149

$14

$71

Birmingham, AL

$76

$5

$23

Salt Lake City, UT

$164

$19

$85

*Table ordered by market size 

About Zillow Group
Zillow Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: Z and ZG) is reimagining real estate to make it easier to unlock life’s next chapter. 

As the most-visited real estate website in the U.S., Zillow® and its affiliates offer customers an on-demand experience for selling, buying, renting or financing with transparency and nearly seamless end-to-end service. Zillow Offers® buys and sells homes directly in dozens of markets across the country, allowing sellers control over their timeline. Zillow Home Loans™, our affiliate lender, provides our customers with an easy option to get pre-approved and secure financing for their next home purchase. Zillow recently launched Zillow Homes, Inc., a licensed brokerage entity, to streamline Zillow Offers transactions.  

Zillow Group’s affiliates and subsidiaries include Zillow®, Zillow Offers®, Zillow Premier Agent®, Zillow Home Loans™, Zillow Closing Services™, Zillow Homes, Inc., Trulia®, Out East®, StreetEasy® and HotPads®. Zillow Home Loans, LLC is an Equal Housing Lender, NMLS #10287 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). 

 

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SOURCE Zillow

WSSA Cautions Against Poor Choices That Can Spread Invasive Weeds

WESTMINSTER, Colo., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Last year many people across the U.S. and Canada received unsolicited packets of seed believed to originate in China. Scientists with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) were among those to raise the alarm and say the seeds shouldn’t be planted. Authorities had discovered some packets contained noxious weed seeds that could threaten both agricultural and natural…

WESTMINSTER, Colo., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Last year many people across the U.S. and Canada received unsolicited packets of seed believed to originate in China. Scientists with the Weed Science Society of America (WSSA) were among those to raise the alarm and say the seeds shouldn’t be planted. Authorities had discovered some packets contained noxious weed seeds that could threaten both agricultural and natural areas.

Jacob Barney, Ph.D., an associate professor at Virginia Tech who specializes in invasive plants, says the caution is well warranted.

«The decisions each of us make can have long-lasting results that impact future generations,» he says. «When we intentionally or unintentionally plant species that originate outside the region where we live, we run the risk of introducing weedy invaders that can harm our environment, our economy and even human health.»

In fact, some of North America’s most troublesome invasive weeds owe their origins to poor decisions, inattention, or a lack of understanding of the potential risks that non-native plants can represent. Even public organizations haven’t been immune – embarking on ill-informed planting initiatives that have triggered new invasions.

Here are a few examples of the many ways new invaders can become established:

  • Bradford pear trees are a variant of the callery pear, a species that originated in China. They were introduced to the U.S. in the 1960s through the horticultural industry, and millions were planted. Unfortunately, they’ve proved to be a real pest when growing outside their native environment. The trees can crowd out native species and create dense thickets that are virtually impassable. Many cities and states are fighting back by banning the trees and by offering bounties or buy-back incentives to residents who cut them down.
  • Japanese knotweed was introduced to North America in the late 1860s when a nursery owner in New York received a specimen as a gift from his brother working in Japan. Once planted and shared, knotweed went on to become an aggressive invader that has spread widely across the U.S. It has roots strong enough to grow through foundations, roads, walls, and other structures, and it is also hard to eliminate. The New York City Parks Department, for example, has spent more than $1 million over the past decade battling knotweed on city property, but says it is still «out of control
  • Cheatgrass, also known as downy brome in the eastern U.S., is believed to have been introduced to the United States from Europe in the 1800s via contaminated grain and packing materials made from its dense thatch. It then traveled across the country by railway as a contaminant in grain, straw and manure. At one point it was even purposefully planted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to remediate degraded rangelands. Today cheatgrass infests every region of the U.S. It overtakes native plant species and wildlife habitats, and it is a common pest in crop fields, nurseries, and orchards. It also contributes to the spread of wildfires by creating an abundant fuel source that wouldn’t be present in a native sage brush habitat.
  • Hydrilla made its way to the U.S. a half century ago when a Missouri tropical fish dealer imported the plant from Sri Lanka for use in aquariums. It is now one of the most aggressive aquatic weeds in the South. A separate biotype introduced in the 1980s has now spread across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Today hydrilla is among the most widespread of the 112 weeds on the Federal Noxious Weed list. It can form dense mats of vegetation that grow rapidly and quickly take over a body of water. Hydrilla is known to clog waterways, displace native vegetation, promote fish kills by depleting oxygen, and contribute to harmful algal blooms by disrupting waterflow. It also negatively impacts tourism.

Think Before You Act

To protect against new invasive species and to avoid spreading those that are already entrenched, it is important to think before you act. Here are six tips to help.

1. Don’t bring it back. You may fall in love with the exotic plants you spot during a cruise or a tour of a foreign country. But take photos and resist the temptation to bring specimens home with you. Federal regulations place strict limits on ANY non-native plant or plant parts you hope to grow back at home. You’ll need a special certification that the plant is safe for import.

2. Go native. Select plant species native to the region where you live. Unlike non-native plants, you will find they are well behaved and won’t crowd out other beneficial native species. They also provide food and habitat for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals. Have questions about which plants are native to your region? Consult the resources below:

3. Make smart purchases. If you are planting from seed, buy local seeds certified to contain minimal contaminants. Read the label carefully to see what’s included so you don’t plant non-native invaders that can overrun your garden.

4. Be careful outdoors. Take commonsense measures to make certain you aren’t transporting invasive weeds as you travel and enjoy camping, boating, hiking, or other outdoor activities. Carefully inspect and wash your boat, vehicle, ATV, hiking boots or other equipment to remove any plant fragments or seeds you’ve picked up along the way. And avoid carrying firewood with you from one location to another. For additional tips, visit:

5. Become a «spotter.» Early detection of new invasive weed outbreaks can help authorities take swift action to prevent further spread. Familiarize yourself with the invasive weeds most prevalent in your area – information that is available through the Invasive Plant Council covering your state or region.

These same organizations typically have reporting protocols for new infestations you might discover. If you snap a photo, the GPS coordinates on your phone can help authorities locate and eliminate the invaders you find. EDDMapS can be used across the U.S. to report these weeds from the web or your phone.

Another useful resource is Wild Spotter, a program devoted to engaging and empowering the public to help find, map and prevent invasive species in America’s wilderness areas, wild rivers and other natural areas. WSSA and its regional affiliates are partners in the initiative.

6. Stay informed. Take advantage of webinars and information resources available during National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), scheduled for February 22-26, and May 15-22, 2021.

About the Weed Science Society of America

The Weed Science Society of America, a nonprofit scientific society, was founded in 1956 to encourage and promote the development of knowledge concerning weeds and their impact on the environment. The Society promotes research, education and extension outreach activities related to weeds, provides science-based information to the public and policy makers, fosters awareness of weeds and their impact on managed and natural ecosystems, and promotes cooperation among weed science organizations across the nation and around the world. For more information, visit http://www.wssa.net.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Photos of the invasive weeds mentioned in this release are available at https://wssa.net/13440-2. Simply click on the image(s) you select and then right click to save to your computer. Credit lines for each image are on the download page.

Media Contact

Lee Van Wychen, National & Regional Weed Science Societies, 202-746-4686, lee.vanwychen@wssa.net

Twitter

 

SOURCE National & Regional Weed Science Societies

MPOWER Financing raises a $25M investment round to increase educational access for International and DACA students

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — MPOWER Financing, an innovative fintech platform and <a target="_blank"…

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — MPOWER Financing, an innovative fintech platform and the leading provider of educational loans to high-promise international and DACA students, announced that it recently raised $25M from Tilden Park Capital Management LP, a New York-based investment management firm.

Funds will support platform automation and team growth as MPOWER finances thousands of additional international and DACA students at over 350 universities across North America

«We’re humbled to be working with Tilden Park, and will substantially benefit from their capital markets and credit expertise, as well as their global investment experience,» said Manu Smadja, MPOWER Financing’s CEO and co-founder. «Tilden Park was attracted to MPOWER’s strong credit quality and social mission,» added Manu.

The funds come in addition to $9 million that MPOWER raised last year and will be invested in further automating MPOWER’s digital loan platform, which leverages proprietary underwriting technology to provide a loan decision to students within minutes. The funds will also help MPOWER grow its team in Washington, DC, and Bangalore, India where it plans to hire 50+ employees this year across Engineering, Marketing, Operations, Underwriting, Analytics, HR, and Finance.

MPOWER was named one of the best places to work in Washington DC, one of the best tech workplaces for diversity, and one of American Banker’s top fintech firms to work for the third year in a row. Predominantly ex-international students themselves, the MPOWER team directly relates to the challenges that international students face due to Covid and fast-changing immigration policies, and the company is honored to support international students at this critical time in history.

MPOWER Financing, headquartered in Washington, D.C., and with offices worldwide, is a mission-driven fintech company and provider of global educational loans. It is the only student lender in the world that leverages both overseas and domestic credit data, as well as future earning potential, to serve high-promise international and DACA students. MPOWER Financing works with over 350 top universities and colleges across the U.S. and Canada to provide financing to students from over 200 countries. Since 2014, it has received over $2B in loan application volume on its platform. MPOWER Financing helps students build their credit histories and provides them with personal finance education and career support to help prepare for life after school.

Tilden Park Capital Management LP is a multi-strategy fixed-income-focused alternative asset manager headquartered in New York City.  The firm concentrates primarily on structured products and mortgages, fixed income relative value and related corporate credit and equity strategies.  Tilden Park is led by Chief Investment Officer Josh Birnbaum, who previously co-managed trading at Goldman Sachs’ Structured Products Group. 

Media Contact:
Sasha Ramani
202-417-3800
sasha.ramani@mpowerfinancing.com

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1426042/MPOWER_Financing.jpg

 

SOURCE MPOWER Financing

Employer Demand for Health Benefits Insights Fuels Springbuk’s Record Year in Customer Growth

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Springbuk, a health data analytics software company whose mission is to «prevent disease with data™,» announced remarkable growth metrics in 2020 as it worked with a record number of employers and brokers in providing health and benefits insights that…

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Springbuk, a health data analytics software company whose mission is to «prevent disease with data™,» announced remarkable growth metrics in 2020 as it worked with a record number of employers and brokers in providing health and benefits insights that enable faster decisions, real-time changes, and better health benefits plans.

In 2020, Springbuk added over 1,000 new customers, including a significant number of enterprise employers — growth that shatters previous years’ gains.

«We saw an increased demand for Springbuk’s Health Intelligence platform as employers urgently needed data-informed insights to adapt to market chaos and uncertainty in planning for 2021 and beyond,» said Rod Reasen, CEO of Springbuk. «We continued to invest in the depth and breadth of our application around data science to deliver actionable insights within our platform, solving the largest needs of our customers.»

Not only is Springbuk growing at a torrid pace, but it also boasted a 96% retention rate of business in 2020 — in a year when many other technology solutions struggled in the economic downturn.

As Springbuk continues to grow its customer base, the amount of insights increases with the sheer volume of health data being brought into its platform — which is used to evaluate employee population health, health plan effectiveness, and efficacy of third-party solutions to guide data-informed employee benefit decisions. Springbuk’s platform is consuming over 10,000 data files monthly from over 350 health plans, PBMs, and other employee benefits vendors.

«We know HR and business leaders are trying to innovate and make better decisions for the health of their employees and to find the best value in doing so,» Reasen said. «Springbuk is putting the data and insights into the hands of decision-makers faster, providing the needed direction that’s often missing, and giving them greater confidence than ever in their future.»

While the growth in clients and subsequent data into its Health Intelligence platform has fueled company growth, Springbuk continues to innovate and bring new product features to market. In 2020, Springbuk:

  • Released over 30 proprietary Springbuk Insights™ to provide timely, reliable, and actionable insights into cost-saving opportunities for diseases and across all employees or segments.
  • Introduced Springbuk Answers™ — a first-of-its-kind self-service tool leveraging natural language processing for real-time search queries, based on what users need most when responding to timely events.
  • Anchored the intuitive Springbuk Timeline™ as the go-to tool to address employers’ need to evaluate the clinical impact and financial savings of benefits programs.
  • Fueled innovation through customer input, adding 89 new features from Springbuk’s Idea Portal, one-third of which were based on customer suggestions.
  • Enhanced analytics and visual reports for employers to efficiently drive deep understanding and improvements.

Springbuk, more than doubling its client base in the past two years, boasts some of the world’s largest and most respected household brands in the world and added three of its largest five deals ever in 2020. Springbuk plans to announce new enterprise deals in the coming months.

«We are proud of our team and the growth we’ve experienced amid a very difficult year,» Reasen said. «But when you have a great team, superior technology, and a mission like ours — to Prevent Disease With Data — it’s easy to understand why there is so much growing demand for what we bring to the market.»

About Springbuk
Imagine a world where every healthcare decision is backed and guided by data. Springbuk is the health data analytics solution that equips you with the insights and expertise you need to sharpen your benefits strategy, advance employee health, and contain costs. Unlike legacy data warehouses, we simplify data-driven decision-making with an intuitive user experience, predictive modeling, and curated action steps. Springbuk — a world of actionable health intelligence insight, at your fingertips. Visit springbuk.com to learn more.

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SOURCE Springbuk