Montana Department of Commerce Director to Present Over $1 Million in Grants to Ravalli County Schools

Montana Department of Commerce http://commerce.mt.gov/ Director Anthony Preite will present a total of more than $1 million in Quick Start funds to Montana school districts for cost-saving, energy efficiency improvement projects, at the Ravalli County Courthouse Administration Building, Thursday, August 20, at 9:45 a.m. Quick Start, approved by the 61st Legislature in the Montana Reinvestment Act (HB 645), implements the federal American Recovery Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The program is designed to assist schools with conducting energy audits and completing energy efficiency projects that provide long-term, cost-effective benefits to K-12 school facilities.

“I am proud to announce that Montana’s Quick Start program has awarded nearly $15 million dollars to 176 Montana school districts, including more than $1 million to Ravalli County Schools,” said Governor Schweitzer. “The State of Montana has put these funds to good use in record time. Quick Start is benefiting Montana’s schools, students, teachers and citizens. Through these funds, we are putting people to work, reinvesting in our economy, improving efficiency, increasing public safety, and making a cleaner, healthier Montana.”

The Montana Department of Commerce awarded a total of $1,043,532 to Ravalli County Schools. A total of $147,954 was awarded for energy audits. A total of $895,578 was awarded for energy efficiency projects.

Energy Audit Awards

Corvallis K-12 Schools #1 – $29,000

Darby School District #9 – $35,665

Hamilton School District #3 – $75,700

Stevensville Public Schools #2 – $7,589

Total: $147,954

Energy Efficiency Project Awards

Corvallis K-12 Schools #1 – $94,130 – for lighting, HVAC and controls upgrades – saves district $3,850 annually.

Darby School District #9 – $21,325 – for lighting upgrades – saves district $3,621 annually.

Hamilton School District #3 – $60,234.00 – for new boiler – saves district $917 annually.

Stevensville Public Schools #2 – $41,020 – for lighting and window upgrades – saves district $9,934 annually.

Victor School District #7 – $237,491 – for roof and wall insulation upgrades – saves district $7,311 annually.

Florence-Carlton K-12 #15-6 – $441,378 – for lighting retrofit and controls upgrade – saves district $31,560 annually.

Total: $895,578

Total to Ravalli County: $1,043,532

“Quick Start has been a valuable resource to many Montana school districts, especially smaller, more rural districts that have had trouble competing for funds in the past,” said Anthony Preite, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. “We heard their concerns and we made our very best effort to ensure fair treatment for these small districts and the rural communities they serve.”

In awarding grants to public school districts, the Montana Department of Commerce considered the potential for energy savings in public school facilities based on factors including the age, energy use, function and condition of the building. The Montana Department of Commerce also made every attempt to accommodate large, small, urban and rural schools. All available funds from the Quick Start program have been awarded.

WHO: Montana Department of Commerce

WHAT: Present Quick Start Awards to Ravalli County Schools

WHEN: Thursday, August 20, 2009 @ 9:45 AM

WHERE: Ravalli County Courthouse Administration Building, 215 S. 4th Street, Hamilton