Chapter 202 Resource Exchange

Parks set his cup down on the table and looked at Mu Xin earnestly, "Mr. Mu, you have deep connections with the Governor in Ohio, and you've sparred with the Energy Commission, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and even people from the Department of Justice."

"Starting from scratch, you built a massive power supply network, withstood the acquisition pressure from Ohio's largest traditional energy company, and casually took down a contraband network that had been operating for thirty years."

"With all these things combined, there isn't much a retired president's foundation can do for you anymore."

"So you're suggesting I abandon the presidential foundation route?" Mu Xin asked in return.

"Not completely abandon it," Parks shook his head, "it's about changing direction. You shouldn't be looking for those who have already stepped down; you should be looking for those who will reach the pinnacle of power in the coming years."

Parks was silent for two seconds, then gave Mu Xin a name he hadn't expected.

"J.B. Pritzker."

"The current Governor of Illinois." Mu Xin frowned.

"Not just the Governor," Parks said, "the Pritzker family owns the Hyatt Hotel Group and is one of the top twenty wealthiest families in the United States."

"J.B. himself has done venture capital; he understands technology and energy, and he doesn't belong to any faction of that decaying political machine in Washington."

"He is one of the few Governors who has made real investments in climate change and clean energy infrastructure. The 'Clean Energy Jobs Act' passed by Illinois this year is a very promising piece of legislation."

"This act requires Illinois to install over forty million solar panels within ten years, and all installation personnel must pass a state-certified training program."

"Your power company has already implemented Distributed Power Generation in southwestern Ohio; what you lack is an opportunity to replicate this model on a larger scale."

"The clean energy training demand in Illinois is like the neck of a funnel; everyone in the state who wants to do solar installation must pass through here."

"Your community foundation can change direction. Don't focus on public health; focus on clean energy skills training, and become an official training institution under the State Government's clean energy policy framework."

"Pritzker is looking for partners who can help him implement the training clauses in the act. If you go to him with your actual operational experience from Ohio, he will give you the chance to sit down in an office and talk."

Mu Xin leaned back in his chair and went over everything Parks had said in his mind from beginning to end.

What Barack Obama could offer was a photo op and a donation record scrutinized by the media; what Pritzker could offer was access to an entire state and the endorsement of a sitting Governor.

And the latter was what was truly valuable to Mu Xin, and as the pastor said, Pritzker still has significant room for upward mobility.

"Pastor Parks," Mu Xin pushed his coffee cup aside, "about how much is your church's monthly electricity bill?"

Parks was taken aback; he clearly hadn't expected Mu Xin to suddenly switch to this topic.

"The main hall, the attached community activity center, the kindergarten, and the small building in the back for the homeless to stay overnight—all together, it's about three thousand-plus a month."

"In the winter, it doubles. In Chicago South Side, electricity is the third-largest living expense for this community, behind rent and food," Parks gave a rough figure.

"About how much is your church's roof area?" Mu Xin asked.

"The sloped roof of the main hall is over five hundred square meters, and the flat roof of the activity center is larger, maybe seven or eight hundred," Parks said.

"That's enough," Mu Xin said, "I mainly do Distributed Power Generation now, but my team has the design capability for solar microgrids. You help me open doors in Chicago South Side, and I will give you two things."

"First, I will install solar panels on all these building roofs; you won't have to pay a single cent. I will cover all the equipment, installation, grid connection, and energy storage batteries."

"The generated electricity will be prioritized for the church's own use, and the surplus will be sold to the grid. The revenue from selling electricity will belong to the church."

"Based on the average sunlight hours in Chicago and your roof area, this system can save you at least half of your electricity bill every year. In the summer months with good sunlight, you might even receive money from the grid instead."

"Secondly, the installation and maintenance personnel for this system will all be recruited from the young people in your church, with formal training and certification."

"I will pay for them to take the Illinois clean energy certification courses. After graduation, they will work in Chicago South Side. Right there in the building across from your church, I can buy it and convert it into a training classroom so they can just walk to work every day."

Parks leaned back in his chair and looked at Mu Xin, silent for a long time, "Governor DeWine told me you were a very direct person."

"He was right." Mu Xin chuckled.

"You haven't met Pritzker yet; isn't this investment a bit too early? Why?"

"You aren't asking for yourself," Mu Xin stood up again and walked to the window, looking down at the children on the basketball court.

"You have been here for so long, and you haven't used any politician as a stepping stone, nor have you traded the two thousand votes in your hands for money."

"Governor DeWine told me you didn't need anything from me, but he was wrong."

"You need clean energy to bring job opportunities to these young people. You can bring me into Chicago South Side, and I can bring your young people into the workforce. We can cooperate."

Parks also stood up from behind his desk; he walked over to Mu Xin's side and also looked at the basketball court outside the window.

Marcus took a long shot; the ball bounced on the iron rim twice, but in the end, it didn't go in.

"The terms you offered are too generous; for someone who doesn't deal with business much like me, it's a bit overwhelming," there was a hint of a smile in Parks' voice, "but you're right, I'm not asking for myself."

"I think we can cooperate very happily." Mu Xin extended his hand.

"Before you put solar panels on my church roof," Parks released his hand, "you need to schedule a meeting with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's Clean Energy Training Certification Office."

"I can have an old friend of mine schedule the time for you; he is the one who has been in Governor Pritzker's clean energy advisory team the longest."

"That old friend," Mu Xin thought for a moment, "when can you make this call to him?"

Parks glanced at the clock on the wall, "Are you staying the night in Chicago?"

"Yes." Mu Xin nodded.

"Then tomorrow morning," Parks said, "you can go back to your hotel early to rest tonight; Chicago has the highest murder rate in the country."