The Tennessee Tech Industrial Training and Assessment Center will use state funding to help upgrade buildings in at least eight counties.
Center Director Ethan Languri said the program will identify energy and cost saving possibilities in buildings and facilities. Languri said he has 18 years of experience participating in the program.
“And running this ITAC center, which is a federally funded program at Tennessee Tech,” Languri said. “So based on that experience, expertise and equipment through the ITAC, they wanted us to help them with the project.”
Languri said the project identifies energy savings and productivity measures for each county building, seeing improvements that could be made. Languri said they look at projects that could enhance facilities, such as HVAC and insulation. A more advanced upgrade, Languri said, might be a commercial kitchen.
Languri said the funds help the center inspect the buildings, whether they are historic or in poor shape, and identify projects which can be supported through redirecting existing funding for project upgrades. Languri said this work will allow counties to get more use out of their buildings and cut down on costs associated with operating costs.
“There are a lot of other benefits you could get from doing certain projects that is not only saving energy but also really there are other benefits so they use our report as a basis for the selection,” Languri said.
Languri said the program has audited gyms, jails and courthouses that often need repairs. Languri said the group will observe senior living centers and fire stations, as well. Languri said upgrading these buildings can give the public a safer and more efficient environment to use.
Tech received $120,000 from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to do the work. Tech will assess facilities in Bledsoe, Cocke, Grundy, Hardeman, Haywood, Lake, Perry, and Scott Counties.