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County board hears about energy efficiency program for businesses as well as Couleecap annual report

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Sheriff’s union contract a 2.5 percent raise

By Ted Pennekamp

 

The Crawford County Board heard a presentation by Jon Hochkammer about the PACE Program at its regular meeting Tuesday morning. 

PACE stands for Property Assessed Clean Energy, and Hochkammer said it is a financial tool for commercial businesses to improve their energy efficiency, and thus, reduce their cost of doing business in the county.

“There are no federal, state or local tax dollars involved,” said Hochkammer, in noting that a business would get a loan through a bank that is involved in the PACE Program so the business can make energy efficiency improvements.  Solar panels would be just one example. The business would then pay for the loan through the cost savings realized by being more energy efficient. Hochkammer said some loans are for 20 to 35 years.

There are 34 counties in the PACE Program in Wisconsin, including La Crosse and Vernon counties. The PACE Program is also in 34 states and Washington D.C. If Crawford County decides to become involved, Hochkammer said there will be no administrative burden to the county. He said the only time the county would be involved is if a business would become delinquent on paying their loan. Hochkammer pointed out that since the PACE Program began in 2009, there have been no delinquencies anywhere in the United States.

The county can have a representative on the statewide PACE Commission, however, if they so desire. Also, the county can veto a loan if they feel it would not be a good idea.

“The PACE Program is economic development at the local level with local lenders,” said Hochkammer.

Also giving a presentation to the board was Hetti Brown, executive director of Couleecap. Brown presented a slide show highlighting Couleecap’s annual report and all that Couleecap does for families and individuals in Crawford County who are struggling.

Brown said for every $1 spent on Couleecap, 90 cents goes to programs, 9 cents goes to operations and 1 cent goes to development. In 2017, 443 households received housing counseling or down payment assistance to purchase homes. More than 1.8 million pounds of food was collected and distributed to 15,744 people. Eighty-one people were assisted with education or training to start a business to improve earnings. Eighty-six households received critical home repairs. One hundred-nine people were provided affordable rental housing by Couleecap. These are just some of the ways in which Couleecap has helped area communities.

“We help people meet the basic necessities,” said Brown, who noted that there is only 3.4 percent unemployment in Crawford County but many households are still struggling because wages continue to remain flat, while costs continue to increase.

Supervisor Larry Kelley addressed the board and said the board should keep in mind that the Blackhawk Junction Mall property is in the process of being foreclosed upon and that the county will soon own the property. He said Couleecap is very interested in the former Nelson True Value Hardware building to expand their food pantry, bargain boutique and other operations.

In other business, the board approved of a sheriff’s union contract of a 2.5 percent salary increase for each year of the next two years.

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