What changed
Clean energy programs people can find and fund.
Innovators and rural businesses got clearer ways into MEIA and REAP, from web pages and practical collateral to media and video.
The client
MCEC advances clean energy and efficiency across Maryland as part of an economic development strategy.
The Maryland Clean Energy Center implements financing solutions that catalyze business growth, create jobs, and make clean energy affordable and accessible for Marylanders.
Council Fire served as MCEC’s on-demand communications and design partner, aligning strategy, content, and creative to reach multiple audiences and drive program outcomes.
The challenge
Policy goals stall without clear messaging, investor-ready materials, or coordinated outreach across programs.
MCEC needed a scalable communications engine, paired with website clarity and event and campaign support, to serve initiatives like the Maryland Energy Innovation Accelerator (MEIA) and USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) while preparing brand milestones and new financing efforts.
Our approach
We worked as an extension of the MCEC team, prioritizing task orders and delivering fast, on-brand assets.
Weekly and monthly coordination kept the work in sequence.
On-demand communications and design
Advertising and media strategy, copywriting, graphic design, PR, event support, partnership planning, and project management.
Strategic communications plan and website
A comprehensive plan, voice and tone guidance, content strategy, and a visual framework, plus a site audit, navigation recommendations, and audience-oriented content to make programs easier to find and fund.
Brand moments and program launches
Communications for MCEC’s 15-year anniversary, launch content and graphics for the C3 Fund, and Clean Energy Summit PR coordination as needed.
MEIA communications
Partnership and event marketing, content marketing, video as prioritized, an email newsletter redesign, and the structure and copy of the MEIA page on the MCEC site.
USDA REAP communications
A REAP webpage, “Top Tips” collateral, a paid media campaign, and video production, with weekly coordination to manage sequencing and spend.
The outcome
A standing, on-demand communications capability that met time-sensitive needs across programs, with monthly reviews for clarity and budget control.
- Concrete deliverables that help innovators and rural businesses understand and access programs, from the MEIA site, content, and newsletter redesign to the REAP webpage, practical tips collateral, media plan, and video
- A clear path to brand consistency and audience-friendly storytelling through the strategic plan, the website audit and navigation, and an updated tone and visual framework
- Alignment around signature moments (the 15-year anniversary and the Clean Energy Summit) and new financing initiatives (the C3 Fund) to amplify credibility and pipeline
Clean-energy progress hinges on the middle, turning policy into programs the public understands and investors can underwrite. MCEC built that middle; Council Fire helped keep it moving.
In one line
Clean-energy progress hinges on the middle, turning policy into programs the public understands and investors can underwrite.
The people behind the work
Meet the team
More work like this
Work with us
Turning a clean energy program into something people use?
Joyce Cacho has held leadership roles at Rabobank and Winrock International and has served as a Chief Sustainability Officer.