Press release
Avangrid Foundation Strengthens Workforce Development and Food Access in Monroe County
Rochester, NY — September 3, 2026 — The Avangrid Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading energy company Avangrid Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group, is supporting the Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County’s Gaining Relevant and Outstanding Work Skills (GROWS) program through funding for a dedicated transportation van. The van is helping expand workforce development opportunities, agricultural education, and access to fresh food throughout the Rochester community.
The vehicle, acquired in late spring, has significantly increased the program's ability to connect participants with off-site learning experiences, community-based agricultural projects, and local food distribution efforts.
"Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County is demonstrating how education, workforce development, and community support can work together to create meaningful outcomes,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. ”Expanded transportation capacity will help increase access to valuable learning opportunities while strengthening the distribution of fresh, locally grown food throughout Monroe County."
Between early June and early August 2026, the van logged 448 miles supporting workforce development programming. During the same period in 2025, GROWS programming traveled only 87 miles using educators' personal vehicles, demonstrating the transformational impact of dedicated transportation resources.
“This van opens new doors for our GROWS participants to build workforce skills, gain new experiences, and engage in the community,” said Andrea Lista, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County. “We are incredibly grateful to the Avangrid Foundation for investing in GROWS and helping us expand the program’s reach and impact.”
The increased mobility has enabled GROWS participants to engage in more educational and community-based activities, including work at The International Plaza community garden, while also improving the program's ability to transport harvested produce to local organizations serving community members in need.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, email: corporatecommunications@avangrid.com
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading U.S. energy company investing in grid infrastructure and power generation projects to deliver reliable energy and meet growing electricity demand. With approximately $50 billion in assets and operations across 25 states, Avangrid is helping modernize the U.S. electric grid, improve system resiliency, and support economic growth for the customers and communities it serves.
Avangrid owns and operates seven electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid also has nearly 100 energy generation facilities across the United States and more than 11 gigawatts of installed capacity. Avangrid has more than 8,300 employees and was named among the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2026 for the eighth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the Iberdrola Group.
About Iberdrola: Iberdrola is one of the world's biggest energy companies and a leader in renewables, spearheading the energy transition to a low carbon economy. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. With a focus on renewable energy, smart networks and smart solutions for customers, Iberdrola’s main markets include Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. The company is also present in growth markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden and Poland, among others.
With a workforce of nearly 40,000 and assets in excess of €141.7 billion, across the world, Iberdrola helps to support 400,000 jobs across its supply chain, with annual procurement of €12.2 billion. A benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has invested more than €130 billion over the past two decades to help build a sustainable energy model, based on sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
Press Releases
09/03/2026
Avangrid Foundation Strengthens Workforce Development and Food Access in Monroe County
Avangrid Foundation Strengthens Workforce Development and Food Access in Monroe County
Rochester, NY — September 3, 2026 — The Avangrid Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading energy company Avangrid Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group, is supporting the Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County’s Gaining Relevant and Outstanding Work Skills (GROWS) program through funding for a dedicated transportation van. The van is helping expand workforce development opportunities, agricultural education, and access to fresh food throughout the Rochester community.
The vehicle, acquired in late spring, has significantly increased the program's ability to connect participants with off-site learning experiences, community-based agricultural projects, and local food distribution efforts.
"Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County is demonstrating how education, workforce development, and community support can work together to create meaningful outcomes,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda. ”Expanded transportation capacity will help increase access to valuable learning opportunities while strengthening the distribution of fresh, locally grown food throughout Monroe County."
Between early June and early August 2026, the van logged 448 miles supporting workforce development programming. During the same period in 2025, GROWS programming traveled only 87 miles using educators' personal vehicles, demonstrating the transformational impact of dedicated transportation resources.
“This van opens new doors for our GROWS participants to build workforce skills, gain new experiences, and engage in the community,” said Andrea Lista, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Monroe County. “We are incredibly grateful to the Avangrid Foundation for investing in GROWS and helping us expand the program’s reach and impact.”
The increased mobility has enabled GROWS participants to engage in more educational and community-based activities, including work at The International Plaza community garden, while also improving the program's ability to transport harvested produce to local organizations serving community members in need.
Media Contact
For media inquiries, email: corporatecommunications@avangrid.com
About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. is a leading U.S. energy company investing in grid infrastructure and power generation projects to deliver reliable energy and meet growing electricity demand. With approximately $50 billion in assets and operations across 25 states, Avangrid is helping modernize the U.S. electric grid, improve system resiliency, and support economic growth for the customers and communities it serves.
Avangrid owns and operates seven electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid also has nearly 100 energy generation facilities across the United States and more than 11 gigawatts of installed capacity. Avangrid has more than 8,300 employees and was named among the World's Most Ethical Companies in 2026 for the eighth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the Iberdrola Group.
About Iberdrola: Iberdrola is one of the world's biggest energy companies and a leader in renewables, spearheading the energy transition to a low carbon economy. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. With a focus on renewable energy, smart networks and smart solutions for customers, Iberdrola’s main markets include Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. The company is also present in growth markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Ireland, Sweden and Poland, among others.
With a workforce of nearly 40,000 and assets in excess of €141.7 billion, across the world, Iberdrola helps to support 400,000 jobs across its supply chain, with annual procurement of €12.2 billion. A benchmark in the fight against climate change, Iberdrola has invested more than €130 billion over the past two decades to help build a sustainable energy model, based on sound environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
