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Gov. Kay Ivey has awarded grants totaling $248,991 to help local governments, public schools and nonprofit groups cut expenses by making their facilities more energy efficient.

Among the grants awarded was $15,000 to the Marengo County Commission to install energy-efficient LED lighting upgrades at the Marengo County Courthouse.

The grant recipients will replace outdated heating, cooling, lighting or other systems with modern and efficient equipment that is less expensive to operate.

“Upgrading to energy-efficient systems can be an excellent financial investment for taxpayers that will reduce operating costs at local facilities for years to come,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these grants as an investment in the futures for these cities and counties.”

The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants from funds made available by the U.S. Department of Energy’s State Energy Program. ADECA administers a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, infrastructure upgrades, recreation, energy conservation, water resource management, job training and career development.

“These entities are making an investment in their facilities that will pay dividends for many years to come in energy-bill savings,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in making this assistance available for these projects.”

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, January 2 issue of the Demopolis Times.)