The Iowa Utilities Board is adding something extra to its annual winter weatherization campaign. Board spokesman Rob Hillesland says they’re adding one $5,000 community grant to the individual matching grants. Hillesland says this is the fourth year of the winterization program.
Hillesland the program has grown every year, and they’ve had the 500 dollar matching grants where groups come up with $500 and the total is used to help winterize the homes of the elderly or others.
Hillesland says the $5,000 grant will go to one community with a population of 10,000 or less. He says they’re looking for a community that’s going to be proactive in going out and telling residents about the significance of weatherizing. Hillesland says it’s especially important to weatherize as natural gas prices won’t go down at all. Hillesland says the weatherization of a home can help save money and energy with just a little effort.
Hillesland says "that’s the beauty of the whole" thing, that some simple supplies from the hardware store and some elbow grease can improve a home. The weatherization projects must be approved by November of this year. For information on applying for a weatherization grant, visit the Iowa Utilities Board website . Hillesland says you can also call Brenda Biddle for advice on weatherization projects at 1-877-565-4451.