Through the Equitable Resilience Program with EPA, SMM is working with 15 communities across the south and southwest. In the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, located just two miles east of downtown in Knoxville, TN is a neighborhood known as East Knoxville. The community is rich in history and cultural diversity and is home to Austin-East Magnet High School, the first public high school for Black students in the city, as well as the Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum.

The legacy of segregation followed by urban renewal in Knoxville, has shaped the current conditions for the neighborhood. A lack of investment over several decades has led to an aging housing stock and a lack of economic activity and employment opportunities. The impact of extreme weather events caused by climate change—such as intense cold, heat, flooding, and wildfire smoke—disproportionately affect low-income residents and increase their energy burden. Many families in East Knoxville spend up to 30% of their income on utility bills.

The community-based organization, SEEED, has worked with the East Knoxville community for 15 years, offering robust training programs that aim to equip young adults with the skills necessary for high-paying, in-demand jobs in the green sector. SEEED’s new headquarters is poised to transform East Knoxville and serve as a catalytic project that will anchor reinvestment.

The building, which aims to achieve net zero status, will serve as a vital hub for resilience and community development, offering a collaborative space for local organizations, housing SEEED’s career readiness and green construction programs, and providing a crucial resource during extreme weather events through partnerships with county initiatives. By fostering these connections and providing essential services, SEEED’s headquarters will enhance community health outcomes, foster environmental stewardship and support their mission to provide critical pathways out of poverty for young adults while empowering residents to thrive amidst a changing climate.