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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

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.

About Us:

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.

Infographic – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1442930/VegasSlotsOnline_2020_Infographic.jpg

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SOURCE VegasSlotsOnline

SYNLawnⓇ Unveils New and Enhanced Artificial Turf Products for New Year

DALTON, Ga., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – SYNLawn®, the largest manufacturer and unrivaled innovator of artificial grass in North America, announced its latest product enhancements and new offerings debuting in early 2021. Products now include more soy content, advanced drainage, additional color options and Super Yarn™ technology. SYNLawn will soon have five new additions that have earned Certified Biobased Product labels from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

«SYNLawn is committed to sustainability,» said George Neagle, executive vice president at SYNLawn. «We are uniquely positioned as the first synthetic turf company with a certified product through the USDA’s BioPreferred Program, as well as more currently in development, which increases the use of renewable agricultural resources and contributes to reducing negative environmental and health impacts.»

In an increasingly crowded marketplace, SYNLawn strives to provide exceptional quality and real value for its customers with standout products including unmatched lifetime warranties, commitment to sustainability and the industry’s leading safety ratings. The new offerings include:

SYNPro PET: The low pile turf is an ideal choice for pets and their parents. It’s easy to clean and maintain, plus offers a high drainage rate.
SYNPro PLAY: Multi-use turf for landscape, pets, playgrounds, sport and golf. Available in five fun stock colors and custom by request.
SYNLawn PLAY PLATINUM STX43 with Super Yarn: Designed for playgrounds as a safe turf for kids of all ages with non-abrasive grass blades. Includes Sanitized® Antimicrobial, DualChill™IR Reflective and StatBlock™Anti-Static.
SYNSport: This multi-purpose turf variety is perfect for golf fairways and sport applications both indoors and outdoors. It’s available with colors to allow for inclusion of sports features and boundaries.
SYNRye 200: Ideal for high foot traffic areas, ASTM Certified E108 Class A Fire-Rated with HeatBlock™ and UV protection.
SYNPro 80: A perfect fit for residential lawns and durable enough to meet the demands of commercial applications as well.
SYNPro 100: Premium quality for contractors and landscape, pets and play applications.
SYNTipede X43 with Super Yarn: Superior durability with an unexpected soft touch. Designed for high foot traffic applications, including schools, playgrounds, public parks and commercial uses. Includes Sanitized® Antimicrobial, DualChill™IR Reflective and StatBlock™Anti-Static.
SYNAugustine 847 with Super Yarn: The thickest, most dense artificial turf style available. The low pile-height, close-knit thatch, and realistic grass blades are perfect for pet parents, commercial pet facilities, and golfers. Includes Sanitized® Antimicrobial, DualChill™IR Reflective and StatBlock™Anti-Static.
SYNLawn ROOFDECK PLATINUM Platinum SR 200: The ultimate artificial roof, deck, and patio grass for performance and safety. Nylon fibers provide a high melt resistance against window reflectivity, and the highest-rated safety rating in the industry.

For more information about SYNLawn’s full range of products, visit www.SYNLawn.com.

ABOUT SYNLAWN^Ⓡ

SYNLawn^Ⓡis the largest manufacturer and unrivaled innovator of artificial grass in North America. As part of the SportGroup Holding^® family of companies, SYNLawn, along with sister surfacing brands – Astroturf, Rekortan, APT and Laykold – delivers the best products available on the market. SYNLawn’s product offerings also include Calico Greens™, an upscale line of artificial wall displays. SYNLawn’s turnkey network of 100 distributors seamlessly combines environmental stewardship with industry-leading innovations. Manufactured in Dalton, GA, SYNLawn uses bio-based ingredients, such as soy and sugarcane, and consumer-conscious additives such as antimicrobials to meet customers’ wide range of needs. With more than 200,000 residential and commercial installations, the company is raising the bar for global synthetic turf standards and transforming the idea of grass. We have a proprietary system that accounts for more than 70 percent renewable content. For more information visit www.SYNLawn.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube.

Media Contact:
Mackenzie Smith
msmith@fwv-us.com
574-524-5916

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SOURCE SYNLawn

CVS Health Invests $114 Million in Affordable Housing Across the Country in 2020

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — To address housing insecurities and promote community health improvement in vulnerable populations, CVS Health (NYSE: CVS) invested over $114 million in affordable housing in 2020. The company’s investments over the past year will lead to the construction and rehabilitation of more than 2,800 affordable housing units in 30 cities, across 12 states.

…

Throughout 2020, CVS Health worked closely with community organizations to provide affordable housing options and services to people facing significant challenges. As a result of the company’s affordable housing investment strategy, over 460 permanent supportive housing (PSH) units will be constructed to provide stable homes for people who may be experiencing homelessness, affected by chronic illness, victims of domestic violence, in need of behavioral health or addiction treatment, or are challenged by similar life and health situations. In addition to affordable housing, these PSH residents will also receive access to a wide range of services to stabilize and improve their health including social, behavioral health and addiction recovery services. Additionally, of the 2,800 affordable housing units being constructed or rehabilitated through CVS Health investments, 560 of the units are dedicated to housing seniors, while over 100 are reserved specifically for veterans and their families.

«We recognize that equitable access to stable and supportive housing serves as one of the greatest barriers to better health for many people,» said Karen S. Lynch, President and CEO of CVS Health. «Through our investments and collaboration with local partners, we’ve been able to provide underserved communities across the country with quality housing, economic support, and educational training opportunities based on the unique needs of the population.»

The company’s efforts to address housing insecurity are a core part of Destination: Health, a series of CVS Health business programs focused on helping people improve their health outside of a clinical setting.

Addressing Racial Inequality and Health Disparities in Black Communities

CVS Health’s increase in investments in affordable housing with supportive services during 2020 is part of the company’s larger commitment to address racial inequity and the social determinants of health in Black communities. Under this commitment, CVS Health will invest nearly $600 million over five years to advance employee, community and public policy initiatives that address inequity faced by Black people and other disenfranchised communities.

As the company invests in local affordable housing developments, it is also exploring opportunities to bring other social justice and equity initiatives to those same local communities to amplify the impact of the programs. These expansions include bringing the company’s Project Health program to new markets. Project Health offers free biometric screenings to help identify chronic conditions before they become life-threatening illnesses. CVS Health’s workforce initiatives programs, focused on empowerment, education and training, are also being introduced to new markets to help residents achieve meaningful employment opportunities.

In September 2020, CVS Health announced its investment of $13.7 million to renovate 230 low-income housing units at the Rosewind Apartments in Columbus, Ohio. In collaboration with the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, CVS Health’s investment will provide comprehensive local support including quality housing, significant improvements to the local community center and support for new community programs for families and individuals facing challenges in the North Linden neighborhood.

In November 2020, the company invested $8.7 million to help build a new 116-unit affordable housing complex in the Mercy Drive neighborhood of Orlando, Florida. The development includes three buildings, a community center, playgrounds, on-site laundry facilities and onsite management offices. All residents will have access to on-site supportive services including adult literacy, employment assistance and financial management programs.

Creating Healthier Communities Through Affordable Housing

In 2020, CVS Health invested in affordable housing projects and programs in different locations throughout the country including Alaska, Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas, Georgia, Florida, Wisconsin, Hawaii, California, New York, Maryland, and Colorado.

Examples of these investments include:

$15.3 million to build 144 new homes and services for Ohio seniors, including those with disabilities, in two affordable housing communities known as Eastern Woods Senior Apartments in Findlay and Northland Gate in Columbus.
$6.2 million for Happiness House Apartments in Canandaigua, NY, a supportive housing community providing 30 new homes for families and seniors, including people who have been experiencing homelessness or struggling to find stable housing.
$4.3 million for Bridgeway Community Housing in Wasilla, AK, a 24-unit PSH project designed to meet the needs of Alaskans experiencing homelessness, living with mental disabilities, who may have substance abuse disorders or are working to avoid recidivism, and any other Alaskans whose histories present barriers to accessing mainstream housing.

«Our investments in housing and work with regional organizations this past year have enabled us to help improve individual and community health outcomes during a particularly challenging time,» said Keli Savage, Head of Impact Investment Strategy, CVS Health. «By focusing our investment strategy on providing affordable, service-enriched housing for low-income regions and communities of color, we’re able to help those most impacted by the burden of housing instability. We’re proud to continue furthering our commitment to investing in opportunities that promote greater access to affordable housing and the essential services people need on their path to better health.»

CVS Health looks forward to announcing additional affordable housing initiatives throughout 2021.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a different kind of health care company. We are a diversified health services company with nearly 300,000 employees united around a common purpose of helping people on their path to better health. In an increasingly connected and digital world, we are meeting people wherever they are and changing health care to meet their needs. Built on a foundation of unmatched community presence, our diversified model engages one in three Americans each year. From our innovative new services at HealthHUB® locations, to transformative programs that help manage chronic conditions, we are making health care more accessible, more affordable and simply better. Learn more about how we’re transforming health at www.cvshealth.com

Media Contact
Ethan Slavin
860-273-6095
SlavinE@aetna.com

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SOURCE CVS Health

Wyndham Launches La Quinta Brand in the Middle East with New Hotel in Historic Area of Dubai

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 23, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest hotel franchising company by number of properties with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries, today announced the debut of its La Quinta by Wyndham brand in the Middle East with a new 100-room property in Dubai. Expected to open in March 2021, La Quinta by Wyndham Dubai Bur Dubai will be centrally located in the historic Bur Dubai district.

Wyndham continues to expand the La Quinta brand – a leading upper-midscale brand with nearly 940 hotels offering contemporary design, thoughtful amenities and friendly service – throughout the world. This hotel marks the 75th La Quinta property to open since Wyndham acquired the brand in 2018. La Quinta has now expanded to nine countries: Canada, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Turkey, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States. The brand has also announced plans to open eight new La Quinta hotels in the Dominican Republic.

The new Dubai property is located in one of the city’s bustling commercial hubs offering easy access to leisure attractions, including the Dubai Cruise Terminal at Port Rashid, The Dubai Mall, the Dubai Frame and Jumeirah Mosque, as well as business hotspots such as the Dubai World Trade Centre and the city’s financial district. The newly refurbished hotel will boast contemporary guest rooms and elegant interiors, combining Dubai’s traditional trading colors with a modern twist that replicates the city’s lively scene. La Quinta by Wyndham Dubai Bur Dubai will also offer a 100-square metre event and meeting space and a host of additional amenities, including an outdoor pool with pool deck, a spacious spa with sauna and steam room, and a modern fitness centre. Other features will include all-day dining, a lounge, coffee shop, 24/7 room service, and speciality restaurants serving Indian delicacies and international menus. A 24-hour business centre, children’s play area and pool, dedicated retail space, ample parking, and a local shuttle add to the hotel’s positioning as ideal for business or leisure.

Dimitris Manikis, President Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA), Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, said: «We are on a strong growth trajectory for La Quinta by Wyndham, and this latest addition further highlights our commitment to expand the brand in EMEA and around the world. Dubai is one of the most sought out destinations for travelers from all corners of the globe, making it the ideal location to launch La Quinta in the market. This property perfectly complements our portfolio of over 60 hotels in the Middle East and Africa and we look forward continuing to grow our robust pipeline in the region.»

Wyndham hotels in the Middle East and around the world participate in Wyndham Rewards®, the world’s most generous hotel rewards programme with more than 30,000 hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals worldwide.

About La Quinta by Wyndham
With nearly 940 destinations globally, the La Quinta by Wyndham brand is a bright spot in every traveller’s journey. The brand offers thoughtful amenities, friendly service, and consistently delivers an exceptional guest experience that keeps travelers waking up on the bright side. For more information, visit www.lq.com. Like and follow LQ on Facebook and YouTube. If you are interested in developing a hotel, please visit https://whrdevelopmentemea.com/.

About Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) is the world’s largest hotel franchising company by the number of properties, with over 8,900 hotels across nearly 95 countries on six continents. Through its network of approximately 796,000 rooms appealing to the everyday traveler, Wyndham commands a leading presence in the economy and midscale segments of the lodging industry. The Company operates a portfolio of 20 hotel brands, including Super 8®, Days Inn®, Ramada®, Microtel®, La Quinta®, Baymont®, Wingate®, AmericInn®, Hawthorn Suites®, Trademark Collection® and Wyndham®. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is also a leading provider of hotel management services. The Company’s award-winning Wyndham Rewards loyalty program offers 86 million enrolled members the opportunity to redeem points at thousands of hotels, vacation club resorts and vacation rentals globally. For more information, visit www.wyndhamhotels.com.

Contacts
Silvia de Candia
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
+44 796 63 88 208
silvia.decandia@wyndham.com

Scott Carman
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
+1 (973) 753-6590
scott.carman@wyndham.com

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SOURCE Wyndham Hotels & Resorts