130-kW System Funded by Pinellas County Community Development Block Grant Program & Private Donor
January 17, 2017, St. Petersburg, FL – 5,208 tons of CO2 production will be avoided, the equivalent of planting 121,346 trees. 407 solar panels have been installed to create a massive 130-kilowatt rooftop solar system. Most importantly, money spent on a significant monthly electric bill will now be available to help end domestic violence in Pinellas County.
CASA (Community Action Stops Abuse) announced today that it has installed an array of solar panels on the roof of its new domestic violence center. The project was fully funded through a public-private partnership between the Pinellas County Community Development Block Grant Program, CASA and a private donor. Installation was completed by Solar Energy Management, a locally-owned firm selected through a competitive bidding process.
The new solar array puts CASA on a more sustainable path, not only from an environmental standpoint, but from an economic one as well. The agency anticipates reducing its domestic violence center’s electric bill by an average of 70% – 80% each year throughout the 25+ year life-expectancy of the solar power system. These savings will be used to fund CASA’s programs helping survivors of domestic violence attain safety for themselves and their children.
Learn more about CASA’s solar project and other major initiatives coming into fruition by visiting www.casa-stpete.org, emailing info@casa-stpete.org or calling 727-895-4912. To support CASA’s vision of a community without domestic violence please visit www.casa-stpete.org/donate. For assistance with domestic violence-related issues, please call CASA’s 24-hour hotlines: 727-895-4912 and TTY: 727-828-1269.
To learn more about Pinellas County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, please e-mail cdplanning@pinellascounty.org or contact Brook Gajan, Principal Planner, at 727-464-8210. The FY2017-2018 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the County’s Community Development Block Grant program will be published on January 20, 2017.
ABOUT CASA (COMMUNITY ACTION STOPS ABUSE)
This year marks the 40th Anniversary for CASA, the official domestic violence center for southern Pinellas County. CASA operates the area’s 24-hour hotline and 100-bed emergency shelter, offers community support groups, provides courtroom advocacy (ex. support navigating the restraining order process), assists the Child Protective Investigative team and conducts community and corporate training. In addition, CASA’s Peacemakers teach anti-bullying and healthy relationship curriculum throughout the Pinellas County school system to end the generational cycle of violence.
CASA’s vision is a community without domestic violence so that home is a safe place. CASA’s mission is to raise our voices against violence through advocacy, empowerment and social change. To learn more visit www.casa-stpete.org, find us on Facebook at facebook.com/CASAStPete or contact us at info@casa-stpete.org / 727-895-4912. For assistance with domestic violence-related issues, please call CASA’s 24-hour hotlines: 727-895-4912 and TTY: 727-828-1269.
ABOUT PINELLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM
In 1974, the U.S. Congress introduced the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program as part of the Housing and Community Development Act. CDBG is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Although the Act has been amended in recent years, the primary objective continues to be developing viable urban communities by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons.
The Pinellas County Planning Department administers this funding on behalf of the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and twenty participating cities throughout the County, known as Cooperating Cities.
The County Planning Department works closely with community-based, social service and community development organizations, low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, and Cooperating Cities to assess local needs and identify funding priorities. The County then contracts with local agencies and organizations to provide the needed services, such as youth recreation programs and home repair programs that ensure safe, secure housing for low- and moderate-income and elderly residents.
The CDBG Program has three primary objectives: benefit those with low- and moderate-income; aid in preventing neighborhood deterioration; and meet other urgent community development needs due to natural disasters or other emergencies.
To learn more about Pinellas County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, please e-mail cdplanning@pinellascounty.org or contact Brook Gajan, Principal Planner, at 727-464-8210. The FY2017-2018 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the County’s Community Development Block Grant program will be published on January 20, 2017.