FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Tammy Craft, Public Relations 601.359.3449
tcraft@mississippi.org
Jackson, Miss. (August 5, 2010) – Today, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) awarded 90 grants to public entities under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the EECBG program funds energy efficiency improvements to smaller cities and counties that did not receive direct allocations from the federal government.
“I am pleased we were able to provide these 90 grants in order to help local governments around Mississippi become more energy efficient,” said MDA Stimulus Director Manning McPhillips. “The grants will enable the recipients to lower utility costs and provide improved services to the residents of their communities.”
Under the EECBG program, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) made grants directly to Mississippi’s 10 largest counties, 10 largest cities and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. DOE allocated approximately $6.9 million in EECBG funds to MDA to provide all other municipal and county governments the opportunity to apply for grant funds. As a result of these grants, cities and counties will be able to upgrade lighting, replace heating and cooling systems, install other energy saving measures and provide work for local contractors around the state.
To view a full list of grant recipients or for more information about this or other energy–related stimulus programs, visit http://stimulus.mississippi.org.
###
About Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Development Authority is the State of Mississippi's lead economic and community development agency. More than 250 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, the Authority provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills – all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit MDA's website at www.mississippi.org.
