Purdue Research Park-based Firm Lands Almost $600,000 in 'Green' Funding for 7 Clients

Written by Purdue University for ValpoLife.com

Legacy Environmental Services Inc. has secured $596,000 in Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant awards for seven community-based clients.

The awards, provided by the Indiana Office of Energy Development (http://www.in.gov/oed/), are:

• $40,000 for government-owned structure retrofits to Benton County.
• $50,000 for government-owned structure retrofits to Boone County.
• $250,000 for government-owned structure retrofits to the Town of Lowell.
• $34,000 for lighting retrofits for government-owned buildings to the City of LaPorte.
• $44,000 for lighting retrofits for government-owned buildings to the Town of Dyer.
• $58,000 for lighting retrofits for government-owned buildings to Boone County.
• $23,000 for LED traffic and street lighting for governments to the Town of Dyer.
• $22,000 for upgrade and retrofit projects to Midwest Training and Ice Center, Dyer.
• $75,000 for upgrade and retrofit projects to St. Michael School, Schererville.

Legacy Environmental Services is based at the technology center located in the Purdue Research Park of Northwest Indiana. Lorrie Lisek, the company's co-owner and president, described three projects that received funding.

"The town of Dyer will retrofit its traffic signals to light-emitting diodes. These LEDs are highly efficient and have a long life," she said. "Boone County is retrofitting lighting and installing a high-efficiency boiler at the county jail as part of a greenhouse gas reduction program. St. Michael School will use its funding to improve its energy and lighting usage throughout the school and to install a high-efficiency boiler."

Lisek explained how the awards may benefit the organizations and communities.

"This funding will aid in the conservation and reduction of energy usage and cost, enhance the quality and equity of municipal lighting and that of public facilities," she said. "It also will create and retain jobs while decreasing air pollution, light pollution and overall greenhouse emissions."

Lisek said Legacy Environmental Services will continue to assist clients in finding funding for ecologically friendly projects.

"We will pursue grants and seek progressive opportunities for our clients, which include small startups, large manufacturers, government agencies, developers, attorneys, financial institutions, schools, nonprofits and churches," she said. "Resources are available to assist our clients in reducing energy usage and costs. We can find those resources to help them implement programs and projects to achieve their goals."