10 in 7: A Vision for the Nation Begins in Montana

Foundries. That’s what the pros of modular construction call facilities. By 2033, Dvele could have ten of them across the country—made possible through a partnership with federal, state, and local agencies. The first is slated for 2026 in Butte, Montana.

Visions like this can’t rely on the usual playbook. Normal approaches follow familiar paths, built for incremental change—not the kind of leap this opportunity demands. That’s where the Department of Energy (DOE) Title 17 Clean Energy Financing program comes in. Guarantee Loan Programs like this can change the game for outfits like ours.

How does this type of funding affect the equation? Outfits that secure non-dilutive financing position themselves to de-risk equity investments, making their ventures more attractive to equity partners. Here's a quote from Kurt Goodjohn, Dvele's CEO, that sums things up nicely...

"Engaging outside capital is essential to our success. We’re fortunate to have investors who understand how to support both the operation and our long-term impact goals. Accessing funds from Guarantee Loan Programs, like the DOE Title 17 Program, strengthens our investors’ position while fueling our mission—creating value across the board."

This edition pulls back the curtain on Dvele’s journey through this program. From the application process to the framework provided by the Community Benefits Plan (CBP), we’ll explore what it takes to break away from the expected and build something that serves communities on a higher level.

Backdrop

Housing suppliers—onsite, offsite, regional, modular, manufactured—all contribute to solving housing demand. And ambition comes with a price. Big visions need big backing. For those aligning community benefit with investor returns, access to non-dilutive funds shifts what’s possible.

Future Possibilities

The future we’re working toward isn’t just about housing supply breakthroughs. It’s about what those breakthroughs make possible. Stable, high-quality jobs that create pathways to opportunity. Equitable housing that feels within reach. Wealth-building benefits for underserved communities. Real change, grounded in tangible impact.

Turning Vision Into Reality

Building this future demands intentionality—strategic partnerships, de-risked capital structures, regenerative feedback loops—capitalism in service of community. This is where the DOE's Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Program plays a critical role.

At the heart of Title 17 Clean Energy Financing is the Loan Programs Office (LPO).

“We’re essentially a bank within the Department of Energy with one big difference from commercial lenders. At LPO, we provide access to patient capital, flexible financing, and a committed DOE partnership through the life of the loan because we are here not to generate a profit—we’re here to achieve a mission.”

The LPO oversees the Loan Guarantee Program, providing not just funding but also a framework for achieving real impact. It’s not just about the projects themselves — it’s about building ecosystems that create lasting value for communities. If you’re curious about how the program works, you can learn more through this video overview.

One key piece of this framework is the Community Benefits Plan (CBP). Required for all applicants, the CBP challenges organizations to think beyond the bottom line. It asks: How will your project engage local communities, foster workforce development, and provide equity to underserved groups? The CBP isn’t just a formality—it’s a roadmap for ensuring that today’s investments lead to a better tomorrow.

Dvele’s Journey Through the DOE’s Title 17 Program

Securing support from the DOE’s LPO is no small undertaking. The application process is designed to thoroughly vet projects for their feasibility, impact, and alignment with the program’s mission.

For context, the Community Benefits Plan (CBP) represents less than 5% of the total DOE application. While it is an essential piece, the application as a whole requires detailed technical evaluations, financial modeling, and community engagement underwriting. Each step involves significant effort, expertise, and resources.

Dvele is finishing up its application and review, prepping for Stage 3. Due diligence requires $1.2M and months of work. The process reflects the complexity of aligning innovative business models with public-private partnerships at this scale.

To illustrate what this alignment looks like, we’re sharing two questions from the CBP, along with Dvele’s responses. These examples provide a glimpse into how the program sets expectations and how we approach meeting them.

How do you plan to ensure that your facilities benefit the local communities, especially in disadvantaged areas?

We follow a collaborative process to ensure our operations serve regions facing economic challenges and support demographic groups that experience systemic disadvantages, such as gender, disability, age, socioeconomic status, or incarceration history. This process, honed during the development of our Butte, Montana operation, includes:

• Identifying agencies already addressing these challenges
• Establishing relationships to understand their missions, funding, and networks
• Defining mutually beneficial outcomes
• Forming partnerships and agreements
• Launching campaigns and deploying resources

For example, beginning in 2023, we engaged several Montana-based organizations specializing in supporting underserved populations, including:

• Opportunities, Inc.: Focused on employment and training for economically disadvantaged individuals.
• Montana Community Foundation: Dedicated to workforce training and economic development in distressed areas.
• Blackfeet Manpower: Providing education and training for Native Americans and other disadvantaged groups.
• Montana Correctional Enterprises: Offering job training and employment opportunities for incarcerated individuals.

Collaborating with existing agencies ensures we avoid competing for limited resources, shortens the time-to-value, and strengthens community relationships. This approach multiplies the benefits and aligns with our mission of fostering lasting economic stability.

Can you provide estimates of job creation and economic impact for each new Foundry?

Each foundry creates approximately 300 factory jobs and 150 site jobs. About 50% of these positions are entry-level roles, providing opportunities for unskilled workers to develop new skills. Ten percent are professional roles, with the remainder focused on trades and technical positions.

Our approach aims to create wealth for underserved groups often excluded from higher-paying opportunities due to barriers like education, socioeconomic status, or systemic inequities. For example, in Butte, MT, where the unemployment rate is officially low at 1.5%, many residents are absent from these statistics. Some, including veterans, older adults, and disadvantaged groups like Native Americans, are discouraged from seeking jobs that don’t meet livable wage thresholds.

To address this, we employ several strategies to ensure meaningful economic impact:

• Livable Wages: Our wage structure aligns with regional standards based on tools like MIT’s Living Wage Calculator. This ensures wages meet or exceed thresholds for financial stability, reinforcing our commitment to employee well-being and the economic vitality of the communities we serve.
• Workforce Housing: We partner with local agencies through Community Land Trusts to make workforce housing accessible. Employees can access rental options and participate in a Rent-to-Own program, allowing them to build equity over time.
• Equity-Based Benefits: We’re exploring employee ownership models, such as ESOPs or ownership options, to enable employees to accumulate wealth tied to the company’s growth.
• Daycare Support: Collaborating with the Butte-Silver Bow Planning Department, we are developing a feasibility analysis for an on-site cooperative daycare facility to support working parents—an initiative we plan to replicate across all future foundries.

By leveraging non-dilutive, fixed-cost financing through programs like DOE’s Title 17, we can redirect capital into initiatives like these, creating a positive economic impact that benefits employees, communities, and investors alike.

Closing the Loop

This edition explored the potential of programs like the DOE’s Title 17 Clean Energy Financing to expand what’s possible—not just for Dvele but for the communities we aim to serve. From financing frameworks to the practical challenges of community benefit, these tools are more than funding—they’re catalysts for impact.

Next time, we’ll focus on the organizations and individuals we’ve connected with along the way. These relationships have shaped our thinking, informed our approach, and grounded our vision in Montana. The shared aspirations, the partnerships—they continue to guide what we do.

Thanks for being here. Thanks for your attention. It matters.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!