Patrick-Murray Administration Announces $124,000 ReBuild Grant for Community Music School

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan today announced that the Community Music School has received $124,000 in grant funding from ReBuild Western Massachusetts, a program that offers grants and no-interest loans to residents, businesses and non-profit groups affected by the June 1, 2011 tornado.
The funding is helping the Community Music School, which serves over 1,400 students each year from more than 30 communities, replace an aging, inefficient heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system with new, innovative design that taps geothermal and solar thermal resources to realize significant energy savings.

“This program is part of an overall commitment by the Patrick-Murray Administration to promote energy efficiency and clean energy projects across Massachusetts,” said Secretary Sullivan. “Upon completion of this project, the Community Music School will be using two-thirds less energy than a new system built only to code and be able to focus on its mission: educating and expanding the horizons of its students.”

The Community Music School also received an $187,000 incentive from Western Mass Electric and Columbia Gas and a $300,000 loan from Mass Development has been committed to help facilitate the work.

Since its inception in September 2011, ReBuild Western Massachusetts has committed $1.5 million in direct or leveraged assistance to affected homeowners and business owners in Springfield, Brimfield, Monson, Sturbridge, Charlton, Agawam, West Springfield, Wilbraham and Southbridge.

This funding includes $310,000 in residential grants, $260,000 in loans from local banks, over $75,000 in special solar electricity incentives, over $156,000 in grants to affected businesses and non-profits, nearly $200,000 in grants for energy efficiency in low-income housing and $510,000 for tree planting on private property in Springfield.

ReBuild Western Massachusetts is run jointly by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER).

“We hope this this energy-efficiency project will also serve as a teaching tool for the more than 1,400 students who pass through these doors each year, displaying the importance of controlling energy consumption in making a brighter future,” said Alicia Barton McDevitt, CEO of MassCEC.

“This program is a continuation of our commitment to the Western Massachusetts communities affected by the June 1 tornadoes,” said DOER Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “Helping people rebuild their homes and businesses using energy efficient methods cuts energy costs, saves people money, and creates local jobs.”

Property owners who suffered storm damage have until October 1, 2012 to contact the program and begin the application process. The building improvements need to be complete by December 31, 2012 and final completed application, receipts and invoices must be submitted no later than January 31, 2013.

Eligible property owners in Hampden and Worcester Counties may apply for loans or grants to fund attic, wall, and basement insulation; high efficiency heating and hot water systems; Energy Star® replacement windows and doors; and solar electric and solar hot water systems.

Participants are eligible to apply if an insurance company, FEMA or other supporting state, local, and federal agencies has documented damage to their home or business. Interested applicants should go to www.mass.gov/energy/rebuildwesternma or call 877-524-1325 to make an appointment with an application and technical advisor.