City of Jeffersontown Receives Energy Efficiency and Renaissance Grants
(left to right) Commissioner Tony Wilder, Mayor Clay Foreman, Matt Meineur, Representative Steve Riggs
Department for Local Government Commissioner (DLG) Tony Wilder recently announced two grants to the city of Jeffersontown that will significantly enhance community development and revitalization efforts.
The first, an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) totaling $125,000, will provide energy improvements to Jeffersontown. Enhancements include the replacement of old streetlights with more efficient lighting, renewable technologies on government buildings and community education and involvement.
A $20,000 Renaissance on Main grant will fund signage improvements in Jeffersontown. These updates, which are components of an existing plan for Historic Gaslight Square, will make downtown more accessible and navigable.
“Implementing these energy efficiency measures will not only provide savings in power costs but will also reduce Kentucky’s energy needs, which is a key component of Governor Beshear’s energy strategy,” said Comm. Wilder. “The Renaissance grant will promote tourism and economic development by providing clear signage to downtown visitors.”
“The city of Jeffersontown has been moving toward a “Clean N’ Green” community over the past couple of years by focusing on energy efficiency and conservation of city resources along with promoting opportunities community wide that encourage reusing, renewing and recycling,” said Jeffersontown Mayor Clay Foreman. “In addition, having the opportunity to implement our wayfinding system of eye catching, easily identified signs that conveniently direct visitors and residents to local attractions and other points of interest is important to the economic vitality of our community.”
First passed by Congress in 2007, the EECBG program was funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), with funds coming from the U.S. Department of Energy through the Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence and administered by the Department for Local Government.
The Kentucky EECBG program provides $6.25 million to assist local governments in implementing strategies to reduce fossil fuel emissions; reduce total energy use; and improve energy efficiency in the transportation, building and other appropriate sectors. Additional purposes of the EECBG program include spurring economic growth and the creation and/or retention of jobs under ARRA.
Renaissance on Main “small” grants, available through DLG, have been made with recaptured funds to cities with established certified and candidate Main Street programs. The Kentucky Heritage Council is responsible for determining a city’s status as a certified city. These competitive grants support revitalization efforts in Kentucky cities with a goal of safe, vibrant and economically sound downtowns.
Energy Efficiency Grant Announced for New Rowan Courthouse
(left to right) Representative Rocky Adkins, Representative John Will Stacy, Commissioner Tony Wilder, Judge-Executive Jim Nickell
Tony Wilder, Commissioner of the Department for Local Government (DLG) recently announced the award of a $125,000 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) for the new Rowan County Courthouse. The grant will cover the cost of upgrading from a conventional heating and cooling system to a geothermal one.
“With this upfront investment, taxpayers will realize years of savings on energy costs for this new building,” said WiIder. “Reducing Kentucky’s energy needs from efficiency improvements is a goal of Governor Beshear’s energy strategy. “
Under EECBG program guidelines, grants may be awarded for the incremental costs to increase efficiency in new construction. Engineering estimates show a cost differential of approximately $125,000 between a conventional heating/cooling system and a geothermal system.
