Last week I visited Carol Lee Dugan, Library Director, at the Monte Vista Carnegie library. We were talking about the broadband initiative. Here is what is happening in her town.
Carol was approached by her local telecom company to see if the library would be interested in loaning out video cameras. The company wanted to insert this collaborative piece into their grant proposal.
Carol is also in discussion with a renewable energy company who wants to install a thermal pump heating system at their new branch in South Fork. Tax credits may be available for investing in renewable energy. Can anyone else add to this discussion about the advantages of using tax credits? Of course the library will have to pick up part of the funds to install, but in the long run it could prove a good long term solution to rising energy prices. Finally…
Carol said that the USDA is getting a bunch of federal stimulus money. It might be wise to contact your local USDA representative to discover how you can get in on this opportunity. Your area has to fit certain criteria in order to be eligible for USDA funds, but a phone call or going to their web site should clear that up. http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/CO/
It would be nice to start a discussion about the federal stimulus money, as well as the USDA info., as it seems we all have pieces of information that might be helpful to others. Anyone else have information (or experience) with the federal stimulus package opportunities, the USDA, or have started discussions with organizations in your community about collaborating to obtain stimulus package or USDA funds?
I met Bob Mailander from the Colorado Governor’s Office at a sustainability conference in pueblo. He said that there are grant and loan opportunities for libraries who are interested in investing in renewable energy. For more information go to. http://www.colorado.gov/energy/ or call your local representative to get the skinny.
http://www.colorado.gov/energy/index.php?/about/contact/