Received $2.9 million in stimulus money for weatherization projects
NORWAY -- Weatherizing homes is pretty standard this time of the year for local contractors. But this year, they may be busier than ever.
The Dickinson Iron Community Service Agency (DICSA) received $2.9 million in stimulus money to help low income families weatherize their homes.
"I think it's had a really big impact on our elderly community; a lot of the people that have been laid off from the mills in the area also,” said DICSA Weatherization Specialist Monica Fohn. “The heating bills are out of control."
DICSA's weatherization program is all encompassing from installing insulation to putting energy efficient smoke detectors and light bulbs inside the home.
DICSA Executive Director Jeff Heino has seen the need grow with the added funds available, even with more than 300 homes already weatherized.
"With the attention given to the stimulus funding, we've received a lot of publicity,” said Heino. “Community action agencies throughout the state are receiving calls. We have over 300 people on our waiting list just for our two counties alone."
By weatherizing their homes, residents have saved an average of 30 percent on energy bills. Plus the program is free for those who qualify.
"There's no percentage that you have to pay in for the weatherization program,” Fohn said. “It's not a loan, it's a program that's offered and it's your tax dollars, so you may as well take advantage of that."
For more information on the program, you can visit DICSA’s Website by clicking here.
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