Bryan County has partnered with ABM, a provider of facility solutions, to implement an Energy Performance Contracting program.
According to a press release, the customized initiative is projected to save Bryan County more than $16.4 million in energy and operating costs over a 15-year period, which will allow the county to dedicate funding to a multitude of capital projects to continue meeting the needs of a rapidly growing population. The project, which will include 36 of the county’s buildings and facilities, is scheduled for completion in January, 2020.
Energy and operations savings will be achieved by installing new lighting, HVAC and control upgrades, implementing water conservation methods, repairing and replacing roofs, and sealing building envelopes to control airflow. Several facilities are receiving additional enhancements, including full-building emergency electricity generation systems at the Bryan County Courthouse and the Bryan County Administrative Building, as well as the facilities that house the county’s Public Safety services, Board of Commissioners and Community Development.
The upgrades will reportedly save Bryan County more than $500,000 in energy and operating costs in the first year, which will climb during the life of the program, resulting in savings of over $16.4 million. The remainder of the savings have already gone into or are earmarked for projects such as a new Cool Play Synthetic turf field for Hendrix Park, Richmond Hill Senior Center renovations, work on all fire stations, extensive repairs at the jail, and other planned upgrades or additions.
Since 1980, Bryan County’s population has grown from about 10,000 to more than 38,000 residents.
“We’re pleased that this project is really beneficial all-around. Our buildings and facilities get environmentally-friendly upgrades; the project ends up paying for itself; we can use the extra money to put toward other badly needed projects in the county; and the savings continues literally for decades after ABM finishes its work,” County Administrator Ben Taylor said. “This has a positive impact on current and future Bryan County residents.”
“As Bryan County continues to grow, the county’s ability to leverage guaranteed energy and operational savings will positively impact its infrastructure, which will positively impact its increasing population,” said Mark Newsome, president of ABM Technical Solutions.