Gov. Bev Perdue announced Tuesday that an additional $4.9 million in federal Recovery Act funding for energy efficiency has been awarded to 58 projects to help save on utility and fuel bills and create jobs in North Carolina.

“Investing in green energy and creating green jobs is one of my top priorities,” said Perdue said. “­­These federal recovery funds will create jobs, reduce energy consumption and save taxpayers money on county and municipal utility bills.”

The city of Hamlet will be receiving $11,601 for lighting upgrades in eight buildings. The total cost of the project will be $18,285. Bobby Mosser, public buildings manager, said the money will be used to put retrofit lighting in city hall, the public library, the senior center, the city garage, the water treatment plant and the parks and recreation buildings.

“We are very pleased to have received this money. It will help us reduce the cost of our lighting and reduce the energy used, as well as improving the quality of lighting in the buildings,” said Mosser.

The additional money needed for this project will be contributed by Progress Energy with a rebate as part of their efforts to decrease energy usage.

Richmond County will be receiving $43,322 for lighting efficiency improvements to the administration and correctional facilities. The total cost of the project will be $50,062.

“It was a grant I wrote back in January that included two parts,” said Sandra Ridley, community development director for the City of Rockingham. The county wanted to change the windows in the administration building as well as updating the lighting to reduce on the cost of lighting, heating and cooling.

“I am not sure if the county will replace the windows at this time,” said Ridley. “We did receive an estimate for the work, but it may have to go up for a bid.”

The project will generate more than $9,000 in energy savings for the county.

In February, during the second distribution of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants, Richmond Community College received more than $150,000 to install Direct Digital Control Systems in four buildings. This process will more accurately control building heating and cooling systems.

“When funding arrives, we will install new control systems that will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our heating and cooling systems. This will save the taxpayers money and provide more comfort for our students and employees,” said Dr. Dale McInnis, president of Richmond Community College.

This distribution will be the last of the Recovery Act funds. Approximately $11.9 million has been distributed to 104 local governments, public school systems and community colleges.

Cameron Quick can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 15 or cquick@yourdailyjournal.com.