First Hope Bank celebrates new solar field with ceremony

BLAIRSTOWN — First Hope Bank held a ribbon cutting ceremony a few weeks ago to celebrate the completion of a solar field behind their Blairstown Office. The ceremony featured members of the community, the team that constructed the nearly 2-acre project, and First Hope board members and associates. The solar field, installed by KG Companies of Sparta will offset nearly 100 percent of the Blairstown office’s energy consumption on a yearly basis and will reduce its carbon emissions by 8.6 million tons over the next 25 years. “First Hope Bank has always strived to be on the forefront of technology. Even back in the early '50s, my father, Lewis C. Beatty, Jr. installed one of the first banking drive-up windows in New Jersey. This solar field is yet another example in the long line to technological achievements for the bank,” Norman Beatty, CEO and president of First Hope Bank said as he opened the ceremony. Dan Beatty, Chief Operating Officer at the bank, said, “First Hope has always looked to be innovative when it comes to technology, but it’s more than that. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk. Whether it comes to investing in our solar field, or offering massive interest and other benefits through our Kasasa products, we are looking to provide the best for our customers, communities, associates and our collective future.” The project general contractor and president of KG Companies, Kurt Gewecke, closed the ceremony detailing the process of building the solar field and the financial and environmental benefits it brings to First Hope for the future. After the completion of their own solar field, the bank is looking ahead and is prepared to finance both residential and commercial solar renewable energy projects to those who are interested in saving some green while going green.