Recently approved by the Dougherty County Board of Commissioners, Dougherty County has been awarded a grant from the Georgia Envi- ronmental Finance Authority (GEFA) for Solar Resiliency for the Government Center at 222 Pine Avenue in downtown Albany.

Designed to increase resiliency and clean energy for local governments in Georgia, the GEFA program will pay for a technical consultant to develop a solar plus battery storage resiliency study for up to two critical facilities per government entity. The study will help Dougherty County review the Government Center to determine if solar plus battery stor- age can effectively provide backup power for the facility. Ultimately, the program would provide funding for the installation of solar plus battery storage for the facility in the fu- ture, depending on funding availability from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Serving as government headquarters for Dougherty County, as well as City of Albany’s Central Services, Mayor and City Attorney, benefits of the grant would ensure facilities remain operational in the event of a natural disaster. During Hurricane Michael, this fa- cility could not operate for over two weeks without contracted backup generators due to power outage. In addition, the facility sustained major damage to the electrical panel from repeated electrical surges.

“This facility provides essential services for our citizens,” said Scott Addison, Assistant County Administrator for Dougherty County. “Providing backup power during and after events will improve our abilities to serve our community during the most important times of need.”

For more information about the grant provided by GEFA, visit gefa.ga.gov.