Technology

First Student Increases EPA-Awarded Electric School Bus Funding by $200M, Bringing Total to $401M

Published

7 months ago

May 29, 2024

New funding from the third round of the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program means 673 electrified buses, after First Student led all contractors in rounds one and two

CINCINNATI, May 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Today, First Student, the leading school transportation provider in North America, and industry leader in electrification, received $200 million in rebates from the third round of funding of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean School Bus Program. The new funding brings First Student’s total program awards to more than $400 million across the three funding rounds, allowing the company to accelerate its push to provide healthier and safer rides to students through electrification. This round of EPA funding will enable First Student to deploy up to an additional 670 electric school buses in 45 school districts across the U.S. Overall, from all three EPA rounds to date, First Student will be able to deploy more than 1,200 electric school buses.

“First Student is leading the way on school bus electrification and this award supercharges that effort,” said First Student Chief Executive Officer and President John Kenning. “We would like to thank the Environmental Protection Agency for their support of this important priority. America’s students deserve the cleanest, safest rides to and from school, so they arrive at school ready to learn. First Student has the resources, expertise and ground-breaking technology to meet the moment. We are excited to continue building the school bus fleet of the future with the support of the EPA.”

First Student has successfully deployed more than 350 electric buses across North America and provided more than 3 million miles of emissions free operations in pursuit of its commitment to transition 30,000 diesel vehicles to electric by 2035. Today’s EPA investment will accelerate that plan. Scaling the use of these zero-emission vehicles will provide significant and tangible improvements for the environment. Replacing just one diesel school bus with an electric school bus can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 54,000 pounds each year. First Student has also been awarded approximately $65 million through other Canadian, federal, state and utility programs to electrify school bus fleets across the country.

“First Student is proud to call the EPA a partner in our school bus electrification efforts,” said First Student Head of Electrification Kevin Matthews. “First Student electric school buses funded by this program are already creating safer and cleaner rides to and from school and these investments means expanding that benefit to even more districts. Our expertise and resources ensure that school districts can put these awards to use right away, turning these rebates into much-needed fleet upgrades.”

The Clean School Bus Program allocates funds for school districts to help cover the cost of replacing fossil fuel school buses with zero-emission vehicles and associated charging infrastructure. Round two was competitively bid grants, while rounds one and three were lottery rebate awards. Today’s award represents the third batch of funding First Student has received through the program. In January 2024, the EPA awarded First Student $140 million, the largest amount awarded among all contractors, to enable First Student to deploy more than 370 new electric school buses in school districts across the United States.

In November 2022, First Student worked with 11 districts to secure EPA grants under the first round of funding. This funding, approximately $60 million, is designed to provide 11 school districts with of a total of 160 electric school buses. In awarding the rebates and grants, the EPA recognized First Student’s ability to bring utilities and municipalities together with school districts in order to build the charging infrastructure and create a seamless experience for schools.

First Student works directly with school districts on their electrification goals, collaborating on the applications to the EPA and in deploying and maintaining the vehicles. First Student has a team of internal expert consultants called First Consulting who works closely to make sure grant applications reflect specific school district needs.

B-ROLL/RESOURCES: Watch a video that showcases First Student’s electric school bus fleet.

About First Student

As a leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide the best start and finish to every school day. With a team of highly trained drivers and the industry’s strongest safety record, First Student delivers reliable, quality services, including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, route optimization, and scheduling, maintenance, and charter services with a fleet of about 45,000 buses. For more information, visit firststudentinc.com .

CONTACT
Jen Biddinger
513.362.4600

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SOURCE First Student

Technology

SP Manufacturing Expands with New Malaysia Plant, Acquires Ideal Jacobs

Published

21 seconds ago

December 26, 2024

SINGAPORE, Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SP Manufacturing (SPM), a leader in Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS), is strengthening its global presence with two major moves: opening a new manufacturing facility in Senai, Malaysia, and successfully acquiring Ideal Jacobs Corporation.

Malaysia Expansion: Enhancing Operations and Supporting Growth

The state-of-the-art Senai facility, which opened in October, will enhance the company’s operational resilience to meet growing customer demands in medical devices, industrial machinery, and automotive electronics.

Equipped with advanced automation and strict quality controls, the factory enables SPM to deliver mission-critical products with precision and reliability while supporting Malaysia’s vision of becoming a leader in high-value, high-tech industries.

“This facility reflects our commitment to serving our global customers while participating in a key location of the global supply chain network,” said Jackson Tan, Global Business Development Director of SP Manufacturing. The plant’s capabilities include cable harness assembly, PCB assembly, and box-build solutions.

The Senai facility is equipped with comprehensive manufacturing capabilities, including:

Functional testingIn-circuit testing and automated optical inspection (AOI)State-of-the-art cleaning processesRigorous inspection protocolsRapid prototyping and expert assembly processes

Ideal Jacobs Acquisition: Expanding Capabilities

In a parallel move, SPM also acquired Ideal Jacobs Corporation, which is known for its human-machine interface, printed electronics and die-cut solutions. The move will expand SPM’s engineering capabilities and provide access to a diversified client portfolio, including leading names in the medical, industrial, semiconductor, and telecommunications sectors.

Comprehensive Design Support in the U.S.

SPM continues to provide comprehensive engineering and design services for its U.S. customers using industry-standard software for PCB and electrical design. These services help clients with their new product introductions (NPI), early supplier involvement (ESI), and DFx processes, optimising costs and reducing time to market.

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Singapore, SP Manufacturing has built its reputation serving mission-critical industries like medical, automotive, and aerospace. The company specialises in cable harnesses, PCB assemblies, and box-build products.

For more information about SP Manufacturing’s latest developments, visit www.sp-manufacturing.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About SP Manufacturing

SP Manufacturing (SPM), founded in 2000 and headquartered in Singapore, has established itself as a leader in the EMS sector. Serving mission-critical industries such as industrial, medical, automotive, and aerospace, SPM excels in providing comprehensive manufacturing solutions from design to full production, specialising in high-quality cable harnesses, PCB assemblies, and box-build products.

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SOURCE SP Manufacturing

Technology

Casect Launches AI-Enhanced Case Log Platform for Surgeons

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2024

SHERIDAN, Wyo., Dec 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Casect, LLC, a medical education technology company, announces the launch of an innovative platform to revolutionize how surgeons and medical professionals document cases. Casect empowers users to track surgical Cases, refine Techniques, organize References, and collaborate with Colleagues — all within a user-friendly, HIPAA-compliant system.

Say goodbye to inefficient notebooks, spreadsheets, and outdated case logs. Casect offers a modern, comprehensive solution tailored to the surgical community, enabling professionals to focus on growth, learning, and excellence in patient care.

A New Era of AI-Powered Case Tracking

Time is critical for surgeons, yet valuable insights are often lost due to outdated documentation methods like handwritten notes or spreadsheets. Casect’s HIPAA-compliant platform, with a no data retention policy for protected health information, uses optional AI to pre-fill case details, analyze uploads, and organize data seamlessly. This transforms hours of documentation into minutes, giving surgeons more time to refine skills and improve patient care.

Casect addresses an unmet need in medical education, residency, fellowship, credentialing, and research. It enables detailed documentation of Cases, Techniques, and References, accessible from any computer or mobile device with a subscription.

Key Features

AI-Assisted Case Entry (Optional): Streamline input with AI or manually add details; supports spreadsheet uploads.Customizable Fields: Track cases your way.Refine Techniques: Create, document, and improve surgical techniques.Multimedia Support: Upload, organize, and access photos, videos, and documents.Organize References: Annotate, markup, and securely store documents and literature.Collaborate Seamlessly: Share cases and techniques effortlessly with colleagues.Analyze and Export: Generate insights through charts or export data as CSV.HIPAA-Compliant: Designed to meet strict HIPAA standards, ensuring the security and confidentiality of protected health information.

Additional Resources

Stay Informed: Unlock a 30-day free trial by signing up for the latest updates on Casect’s launch.Learn More: Discover why Casect is the preferred choice for surgeons at Why Casect?Explore Features: View the Full Feature List.Stay Connected: Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for updates, tips, and stories. Join the conversation with #MedEd, #CaseLog, and #Casect.

About Casect

Born from decades of tracking cases with stickers, notes, and spreadsheets, Casect empowers surgeons with efficient, comprehensive tools to document cases, collaborate, and drive professional growth. By simplifying the case log, Casect helps surgeons identify trends, enhance skills, and improve patient outcomes. For more information, visit www.casect.com or follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @CasectLLC.

CONTACT: support@casect.com

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SOURCE Casect, LLC

Technology

Interact Marketing Expands AI Marketing Offerings for 2025

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Campaign Optimization, Video, and Content lead the pack.

NEWBURGH, N.Y., Dec. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Interact Marketing, a leading national digital marketing agency in Newburgh, is thrilled to announce the expansion of its AI-powered marketing solutions for 2025. With a focus on cutting-edge campaign optimization, AI-enhanced video production, and content generation, Interact Marketing continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in digital marketing innovation.

“As AI technology evolves, so do our strategies,” said Joe Beccalori, CEO of Interact Marketing. “Our expanded AI offerings represent a commitment to helping businesses thrive in an increasingly competitive digital landscape, especially search.”

Revolutionizing Campaign Optimization
Leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms, Interact Marketing’s AI tools now provide unprecedented insights into campaign performance. These enhancements enable businesses to predict customer behaviors, optimize ad placements in real-time, and achieve higher ROI through precise targeting and budget allocation.

AI-Driven Video Production
Video remains a cornerstone of digital engagement, and Interact Marketing is leading the charge with AI-assisted video production. The latest offerings include automated editing, personalized video content for targeted audiences, and AI-powered analytics to measure video effectiveness. These tools empower businesses to create dynamic video content that captivates and converts audiences.

Elevating Content Creation
In 2025, content reigns supreme, and Interact Marketing is ensuring clients stay ahead with AI-driven content solutions. From blog posts and social media updates to comprehensive SEO-optimized web content, AI technology enables faster production of high-quality, engaging material. The result is content that drives traffic, enhances brand visibility, and resonates with target audiences. Rigid human editing and content-humanization is also included to reduce over dependence on AI and protect against future algorithm decisions which may penalize pure AI content.

A Commitment to Innovation
“As AI technology evolves, so do our strategies,” said Joe Beccalori, CEO of Interact Marketing. “Our expanded AI offerings represent a commitment to helping businesses thrive in an increasingly competitive digital landscape, especially search. By harnessing the power of AI, we aim to deliver smarter, faster, and more impactful marketing solutions for our clients.”

Media Contact

Joe Beccalori, Interact Marketing, 845-567-7703, press@interactmarketing.com, www.InteractMarketing.com

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SOURCE Interact Marketing