HUD's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding provides for 2,027 new energy efficient windows at the Housing Authority of Bowling Green

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding replaces 2,027 windows with energy efficient ones at the Housing Authority of Bowling Green. Left to right: Abraham Williams, Executive Director, Bowling Green Housing Authority; Krista Mills, Kentucky HUD Field Office Director; Governor Steve Beshear; Big V of Nappy Roots (Vito Tisdale); Jonathan Miller, Secretary of Finance; Shannon Morgan, Deputy Secretary of Finance; Don Clem, Kentucky HUD Public Housing Director

In recognition of the National Day of Service, the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Housing Authority of Bowling Green, the Warren County Judge Executive, the Kentucky Field Office of HUD, and Big V, of the nationally known Rap group Nappy Roots, participated in Kentucky's inaugural Green the Block event in Bowling Green. Green the Block is a partnership between Green for All and the Hip Hop Caucus. The purpose of Green the Block is to ensure that low-income communities, particularly communities of color, are mobilized to participate in and have a voice in the clean energy economy.

The day's events included a press conference recognizing President Obama's National Day of Service and Kentucky's Green the Block day of education and service. Governor Steve Beshear recognized HUD and the Housing Authority of Bowling Green's investment in Kentucky's clean energy economy using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding. The Recovery Act funding allowed the housing authority to replace old, inefficient windows with 2,027 new energy efficient ones in its public housing units.

Krista Mills, field director for the Kentucky HUD office stated, "the Department pays over 5 billion dollars annually for energy costs in public housing, so every measure taken to decrease energy use saves taxpayer dollars."

Governor Steve Beshear talks with workers installing energy efficient windows in a public housing unit as part of Kentucky's inagural Green the Block event.

In addition to remarks by the elected officials and HUD, Housing Authority of Bowling Green elementary school students performed their "Energy Rap," which was written just for Green the Block day. Later, the nationally renowned Rap group Nappy Roots performed for the community. Afternoon events included a job fair booth by the Workforce Investment Board, weatherization information from the local Community Action Agency, and additional housing resource information provided by the Housing Authority of Bowling Green, Kentucky Housing Corporation, and HUD.

Housing Authority of Bowling Green elementary school students perform "Energy Rap" a part of the Green the Block events.

Earlier this year, Governor Beshear established Kentucky's Clean Energy Corps to catalyze local, state, federal, private, and nonprofit partners to address green jobs, environmental education, and energy efficiency. The Kentucky HUD office is a key partner in this initiative to ensure that public housing residents are included in the Commonwealth's training opportunities for green collar jobs.

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