Money saved can be used for additional after school programs

Laura Stokes, Creative Alliance Operations and Rentals Manager

By Dean Fisher, MEA Energy Program Manager

Utilizing its 2017 FY17 Clean Energy Communities Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program (LMI) award, Healthy Neighborhoods, Inc.  (HNI) was able to upgrade Creative Alliance in Baltimore to be more energy efficient. Building energy analysis performed by HNI with the assistance of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works Office of Sustainable Energy  identified numerous cost effective strategies for reducing energy use. support.

According to Laura Stokes, Operations and Rental Manager for Creative Alliance, “this type of assistance is great because insulation isn’t as glamorous as kids programs which makes it more difficult to raise funds for.” While MEA agrees that energy efficiency is often not viewed as “sexy”, the savings estimates model more than $9,000 a year in annual savings. This type of fundraising may not end up on the wall but it will save money for many years while, improving comfort, and allowing additional programs and resources.

Stokes stands at the wall of plaques commemorating all the generous donors