Governor Bev Perdue recently announced Garner as a recipient of $23,987, to be awarded as part of the federal Recovery Act for energy efficiency block grants. A total of $4.9 million in additional funds were awarded to 58 projects in 52 local governments to help save on utility and fuel bills and to create jobs. The grants mark the last distribution of money from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program in North Carolina, for a total of about $11.9 million awarded to 104 local governments, public school systems and community colleges. Out of the overall total, $7.2 million was awarded to local government agencies and $6.3 million to public schools and community colleges. The grants program is administered by the North Carolina Energy Office, part of the state’s Department of Commerce, to encourage energy conservation and economic investment in counties, municipalities, community colleges and public schools.

“Investing in green energy and creating green jobs is one of my top priorities,” said Gov. Bev Perdue. “These federal recovery funds will create jobs, reduce energy consumption and save taxpayers money on county and municipal utility bills.”

The Town of Garner submitted its grant proposal for energy efficient lighting upgrades for Garner Town Hall and the Public Works Facility. The total cost of the project is $32,715, less projected Progress Energy rebates of $8,728, bringing the total amount requested in grant money to $23,715.

As part of the grant, the Town also requested funding for HVAC upgrades to Town Hall at a cost of $117,085, less projected Progress Energy incentives and Town of Garner budget funds for a total of $42,633 in leveraged funds. The total amount requested for the upgrade was $74,452, however funding for this project was not awarded.

Along with energy efficiency upgrades, the grant’s purpose was intended to leverage jobs, therefore, the Town will soon seek bids from contractors who would to like complete the project. Terms of the grant require that the lighting upgrades be completed in 150 days.