Elkhart County goes green for several county-owned buildings

By Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Elkhart County goes green for several county-owned buildings

Elkhart County is taking another step to go green in several county-owned buildings, and they have been using some federal dollars to do it.

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Nov 3, 2009 at 4:45 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 3, 2009 at 6:07 PM EST

ELKHART – Elkhart County is taking another step to go green in several county-owned buildings, and they have been using some federal dollars to do it.

They are looking to make upgrades in five buildings, including the courthouse in Goshen, the courts annex in Elkhart, the work release center, the administration building, and the public service building in Dunlap.

It includes improved lighting, new energy controls, and upgraded heating and cooling systems.

Part of it paid for with $600,000 in federal stimulus money, and part with $900,000 in local money.

“Earlier this year we were notified we we're going to receive about $630,000 in energy stimulus dollars from the department of energy,” said Tom Byers, Elkhart County administrator. “That's what kind of started this whole process,”

The $900,000 in local money comes from a fund that is generated from the sale of county property.

“Actually the bulk of the monies [...] that we're going to put in the buildings, whatever we do there, we will be going out for quotes and bids from local companies for the materials, the supplies, the controls,” Tom Byers, Elkhart County administrator said.

“Technology, the development of energy efficient products has really grown to the point that to not have more energy efficient buildings just doesn't make sense,” said Jim Miller, director of building and grounds.

Money spent to make the improvements at the courthouse, as well as the other four buildings in the county, will go to local contracts and vendors, keeping that money in the community.

Once upgrades are made, the county hopes to save over $150,000 a year in energy costs.

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