Cornell Complex celebrating completion of major solar energy project

(From Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex)

The Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex will celebrate the completion of a major solar energy project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. Hosted in partnership with the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, the event will take place inside the Cornell Complex at 212 West 7th Street. The public is invited to attend.

The new 83-kilowatt solar energy system represents a significant investment in the long-term sustainability of the Cornell Complex. Designed to generate clean, renewable electricity, the installation is expected to reduce annual electricity costs by approximately 11 to 14 percent, providing ongoing financial benefits to the two nonprofit arts organizations that call the Complex home—Connect2Culture and George A. Spiva Center for the Arts.

A highlight of the celebration will be special recognition of Missouri Representative Dirk Deaton for his leadership and instrumental role in securing state support for the project. As Budget Chair, Representative Deaton worked collaboratively with fellow legislators, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, and the Cornell Complex to bring this important initiative to fruition.

The project was made possible by a State of Missouri appropriation for an Energy Generation Infrastructure Grant, with partial funding from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to energy efficiency, environmental responsibility, and the long-term stewardship of an important community asset.

Beyond its environmental benefits, the solar installation will directly support the two nonprofit organizations housed in the Cornell Complex. Connect2Culture, Joplin’s community arts agency and performing arts presenter, and George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, dedicated to the visual arts, operate the Complex’s cultural facilities and programs. By reducing utility costs, the project will help both organizations allocate more resources to artistic programming, education, exhibitions, performances, and community engagement.

Sharon Beshore, president of the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, emphasized the project’s lasting significance.

“The Cornell Complex has a responsibility to preserve and sustain this extraordinary community investment for generations to come. This solar energy project exemplifies that commitment. By reducing electricity costs, we are strengthening the building's long-term sustainability and helping Connect2Culture and George A. Spiva Center for the Arts devote more resources to the performing and visual arts. We are especially pleased that both organizations are already realizing the benefits of this investment.”

Heather Lesmeister, executive director of George A. Spiva Center for the Arts, and Emily Frankoski, executive director of Connect2Culture, emphasized the project's importance to their organizations. “This investment in solar energy is an investment in the future of the Cornell Complex and the organizations that call it home, Connect2Culture and George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. By reducing long-term operating costs, we can redirect more resources toward what matters most—bringing the arts, culture, and meaningful experiences to our community.”

The solar system was designed and installed by Sun Solar, a regional solar energy company specializing in customized renewable energy solutions. The installation reflects local expertise and a growing commitment to sustainable energy practices across the region.

In a statement celebrating the project’s completion, Sun Solar shared:

“We are incredibly proud to be part of something bigger than just solar panels. This installation at the iconic Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex is a testament to what happens when a community invests in its future. At 83 kW, this system will generate clean, renewable energy for a space that already brings so much life and culture to the Joplin community. It’s projects like this that remind us why we do what we do—not just powering buildings, but powering the experiences, events, and memories that happen inside them.”

Liberty Utilities also supported the project. Through its net-metering program, Liberty enables qualifying customers who generate their own solar electricity to offset electricity purchased from the utility and receive credits for excess energy returned to the grid.

Beyond its financial advantages, solar installation advances environmental stewardship by generating electricity without direct emissions, reducing reliance on conventional energy sources, and contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The completed project demonstrates how public investment, community partnerships, and innovative energy solutions can work together to strengthen the cultural institutions that enrich the Joplin region.

The public is invited to join the Cornell Complex, Representative Dirk Deaton, project partners, and community leaders for the ribbon-cutting celebration on Thursday, November 5, at 1:30 p.m., at the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex, 212 West 7th Street, Joplin.