Davis receives stimulus funds for weatherization project

FARMINGTON — Davis County has received $1.5 million in stimulus funds as part of a promised $5.3 million toward weatherization efforts.

The $1.5 million is the second installment from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is designed to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and job growth. The first installment was $1.2 million.

Part of the money received by Davis County is being put toward the construction of a new training center and office for the Tri-County Weatherization Assistance Program, which serves Weber, Davis and Morgan counties.

Currently being built at Clearfield's Freeport Center, the training facility will contain a mock-up of a home inside so weatherization employees can practice installing furnaces, heat exchangers, windows and other measures designed to reduce the energy cost for low-income families.

The center is expected to be open in March, said Lewis Garrett, director of the Davis County Health Department.

The services are free to qualifying families, and Tri-County Weatherization has a list of families waiting for service.

Eventually, the agency will hire five more employees to provide faster service.

More information is available at www.daviscountyutah.gov/weatherization.

— Joseph M. Dougherty