We were honored to welcome Mayor George McGill of Fort Smith to our Resource Center on 5/23/2025.  Our Center office is located within the Elizabeth McGill Drop-In Center at 521 N. 6th St., Fort Smith, AR.

During his visit, we shared how we support our community with energy and utility assistance applications as well as the impact of the solar panels installed on the building, a project our organization proudly helped facilitate.

Mayor McGill remarked:

“Looking at the data, and thank you for showing it to me, I think it’s now that we amplify our voices and share with this region, not only Fort Smith but everyone, the impact that these programs are having on the agencies we call on to help people. These energy savings move funds from a utility bill to a ‘help-mode.’ These resources go right back into the community. If you can save $2,000, that’s an opportunity to funnel that back into the programs of assistance.”

The Arkansas Climate League tracks the energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions at the Elizabeth McGill Drop-In Center using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager, which has shown a drop in electric costs of $2,171.40 to date.

One of those resources the savings has offered is the free space we occupy within the Elizabeth McGill Drop-In Center. Because we do not pay for this space, and the energy savings allow the Elizabeth McGill Center to offer it to us, we are able instead fund staff to be onsite during drop-in hours to help individuals apply for utility and energy assistance programs.

Thank you, Mayor McGill, for your continued support and belief in the power of community-driven solutions!