Energy savings was the theme for the Earth Day event held with Garfield County in Burwell, Nebraska in April. Rural residents gathered at the Garfield County Library with USDA Rural Development Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul and staff. Garfield County was presented with a plaque from Rural Development for securing the funding needed to acquire a more efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit for the Library that serves more than 1,900 rural residents.
USDA Rural Development provided funding that was leveraged with funds from Garfield County and the Friends of the Garfield County Library to replace the old heating and cooling units with a more efficient HVAC system consisting of three new 13 air conditioners and heat pumps with backup heaters. The improvements will help the overall budget of the Library through the energy savings.
USDA provides funds for similar projects across America through its Community Facilities Programs.