UnLabel Poverty, a story-sharing, multi-media educational event to be held June 13-15 in downtown Asheville, is proud to have Sugar Hollow Solar as its presenting sponsor. According to Johanna Patrice Hagarty, Sugar Hollow’s Marketing and Development Director, supporting community is a long-standing tradition for the Fairview-based business.
“Sugar Hollow has a commitment to making things better,” said Hagarty, who traced the business’s origin story back to two cousins, Doug Ager and Phelps Clarke, who “wanted to do good in the world,” and “solar became the way to do that.” Since Sugar Hollow was formed in 2010, making it one of the oldest local solar companies, the business has grown into the area’s largest, currently employing over 60 staff. Sugar Hollow’s success has allowed Hagarty to expand the company’s impact beyond clean energy.
“Our marketing is focused on community development,” said Hagarty. “I spend time sponsoring community events and non-profits. The core of our business is to do good,” she said, adding that Sugar Hollow spent over $20,000 last year in non-profit sponsorships. It was the devastation of Hurricane Helene, however, which inspired a new Sugar Hollow-led initiative designed to bring more resilient clean energy systems to impacted areas.
Repower WNC is a collaboration with Earthshine Nature Community Assistance Program that collects financial donations and applies them toward clean energy projects. The Repower initiative has raised over $40,000 to provide free installations for nonprofits and community organizations, according to Bonnie McKee, Sugar Hollow’s Marketing Project Manager. This is especially important to Sugar Hollow, which was also directly impacted by floodwaters. The company’s Biltmore Village warehouse was severely damaged during Helene, causing the company to lose inventory worth over $1 million.
“Solar is inaccessible for certain populations, and green energy is going to have massive impacts reducing carbon dioxide,” said Hagarty. Since 2010, according to company data, clean energy from Sugar Hollow systems has saved customers over $8.5 million in utility costs. Solar power generated from Sugar Hollow during that time is equivalent to the planting of over 600,000 trees, taking over 8,000 cars off the road, and avoiding CO2 emissions of over 41.7 million pounds of coal.
Hagarty feels residents and businesses require resiliency, safety, and security moving forward in a future that may hold more climate-related uncertainties. While solar and other clean energy sources may check those boxes and others, there is a deeper purpose, according to Hagarty. “It’s about having a better relationship with the earth, living harmoniously, and it all ties into better access to food and other basic rights,” she said.
For Asheville Poverty Initiative (API), co-presenter of “UnLabel Poverty” with UnLabel Me, the partnership is the perfect fit. “At API, we say ‘Community cures poverty,’” said Ben Williamson, API’s Executive Director. “It’s the idea that Beloved communities come together and care for each other, and that we don’t tolerate or allow our neighbors to be without necessities such as food, water, shelter, and human connection,” he said. “Sugar Hollow shares this mindset and is committed to running a successful business, but one that promotes a more vibrant, sustainable planet. Along the way, they lift up a wide range of community-forward events, and organizations. We’re lucky to have them as a part of “UnLabel,” said Williamson.
Moving forward, beyond UnLabel Poverty and the impacts of Helene, Hagarty said much work remains. She said the company is committed to make solar more affordable by growing financial incentives and increasing options for financing. Sugar Hollow’s foundation of family and independent spirit will drive this work, according to Hagarty. “Sugar Hollow reaches back four generations of family members. It started as a community of farmers. They haven’t worked for corporations. They care about each other, and that matters. We show up for the community. We are prioritizing the people we serve and work with,” said Hagarty.
“UnLabel Poverty” will be held at 81 Broadway Street in Downtown Asheville, June 13-15. A full schedule of the weekend’s events and more information can be found at www.ashevillepovertyinitiative.org. More information about Sugar Hollow Solar can be found at www.sugarhollowsolar.com.
Johanna Patrice Hagarty, Director of Marketing and Development at Sugar Hollow Solar