For years, BCCAA has used individual donations made to the Share the Warmth program to help low-income Blount County residents stay warm each winter.

Now, in 2010, you as a donor may triple the impact of your contribution through a special leveraging opportunity offered by the state’s Department of Human Services.
Each dollar donated will leverage two more dollars in matching funds from the state.

Mail your contribution directly to BCCAA or click on the Donate button. Or you may donate through your utility provider (City of Alcoa Utilities, City of Maryville Utilities, or Atmos Energy).

One hundred percent of all donations to Share the Warmth go to the eligible low-income applicant household in the form of a credit voucher to the consumer with funds going directly to the utility company. No administrative costs are assessed by BCCAA to operate the program.

Donate now! $1 becomes $3! $10 becomes $30!

Blount County Community Action Agency is continuing to contract with licensed and insured weatherization contractors to meet our goal of weatherizing at least 178 homes in Blount County by September 30.

In a normal year, BCCAA will weatherize about 14 homes. This year, because of federal stimulus dollars (American Recovery & Reinvestment Act or ARRA), the agency has an additional $1.2 million to add at least 164 eligible homes to our ongoing weatherization program.

To get the work done in a timely manner, BCCAA needs more trained energy contractors.
As part of each weatherization job, the home is thoroughly inspected and a detailed work order is developed. Contractors may bid on any job through a state-authorized and monitored web site. Weatherization materials meeting U. S. Department of Energy specifications are used and installed according to approved guidelines. Related safety issues are addressed to improve a home’s overall energy efficiency. Weatherization improvements made to homes of eligible low-income households will help reduce utility bills year after year.

If you are interested in applying to be an approved energy contractor for Blount County Community Action Agency, or would simply like more information, please contact Mitzi Long at 865-983-8411, ext 24.

Applicants must have a contractor’s license and appropriate insurance. In addition, contractors must attend a one-day class which includes training modules meeting DOE standards.

The class is offered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Contractors interested in the training should call 1-877-830-3304. Contractors are subject to the federal Davis Bacon Act.

This project is funded under an agreement with the Department of Human Services. For more information: www.tn.gov/humanserv