Thursday's Internet Edition, September 02, 2010.

Gov. Joe Manchin’s office announced Friday that the Roane County Commission would receive $197,140.88 from an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant.

The project will include replacing the glass in all exterior windows and doors with low-E insulated, glazed glass. Current heating and cooling systems in four areas of the courthouse will be replaced as well.

“I think it’s going to be huge,” Jennifer Randolph, administrative assistant for the commission, said. “There should be a big return on the investment.”

Randolph, who prepared the grant application, said 146 single-pane windows would be removed in favor of double-pane windows. That work carries an estimated price tag of $175,000, she noted.

The four HVAC systems that will be replaced were determined to be the oldest in the building. They include those for the circuit clerk’s office, the lobby and entrance areas, commission meeting room and sheriff’s office.

The oldest unit, the one for the circuit clerk’s office, is original to the 40-plus-year-old building, Randolph, who went onto the roof to inspect it, said.

Funding was granted for 98.5 percent of the commission’s $200,000 request. Randolph said the total project would cost approximately $201,731.50, leaving only a small portion to come from the county’s general fund budget.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council, which is administering the grants for 12 similar projects in its eight-county area, will schedule a meeting soon to determine the process for advertising for bids. Randolph said she expected contracts to be awarded this year.

Roane received the largest regional grant in the current round of funding, which is supported by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Courthouse improvement projects awarded grants in neighboring counties include:

ν Calhoun - $85,401.44 to replace air-conditioning units.

ν Jackson - $96,323.04 to replace HVAC equipment and fluorescent lighting.

ν Wirt - $36,471.07 to replace HVAC equipment.

Pleasants County received two grants – one for $92,656.22 for courthouse improvements and a second for $88,731.41 to replace lighting at Dave Wilson Field in the county park.

The other grants in the MOVRC area went to municipal governments in Ritchie, Tyler and Wood counties. The regional grants total just over $806,000.

Randolph said there could be a second chance for funding if other regions of the state do not use their allotment. Roane commissioners have discussed asking for money to install new HVAC systems in the Camp Sheppard assembly hall.

The benefits of the current grant should be felt soon after the work is completed,” Randolph said.

“The energy costs will definitely be cut, but the comfort level... (Courthouse employees) who work by the windows freeze in the winter and burn up in the summer.”

Even sound insulation should be improved once the new windows are in place.

“You can’t even have court upstairs now when they’re mowing the lawn,” Randolph said.