Boost for Weatherization Assistance in Arizona’s Tribal Communities

PHOENIX, AZ (December 10, 2010) — The Arizona Commerce Authority’s Weatherization Assistance Program is awarding $1 million to the Inter-Tribal Council of Arizona (ITCA) to provide energy efficient upgrades for an estimated 126 family homes of 19 Arizona Native American Tribes. The funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) comes from weatherization training dollars targeted to increase the number of homes weatherized in Arizona.

“It is a focus of the Arizona Commerce Authority to advance jobs and industry in the emerging energy industries, and jobs related to energy efficiency are growing nationally and hold promise for Arizonans,” said Terry Rother, program manager of Commerce’s Weatherization Assistance Program. “This funding creates a tremendous opportunity to create more jobs and expand the reach of homes weatherized in Arizona, while providing assistance to families of the state’s Tribal communities.”

The ITCA hired a new Weatherization Program Manager in August 2009 who has succeeded in bringing the program back on track and in compliance with Department of Energy (DOE).

“I am pleased to partner with the Arizona Commerce Authority to ensure weatherization services are provided to tribes in Arizona,” said Dr. Patrick McMullen, Community Development Director for the ITCA. “With this funding, we expect to provide necessary energy efficient upgrades for up to ten homes for each participating tribe.”

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables income-eligible families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Applications are taken at the community level and a list of participating organizations across Arizona can be found below.

Since 1977, weatherization services have been provided to more than 6.2 million low-income families. Under the ARRA, the program is expanding, creating local jobs across the country even as it helps additional low income residents enjoy greater home comfort, safety and energy efficiency.

Weatherization Assistance Program Provider Partners:

• Community Action Human Resource Agency, (covering Pinal County) 520-466-1112
• Inter Tribal Council of Arizona (covering Arizona’s Tribal areas) 602-258-4822
• Gila County, 928-425-7631, ext.8693
• Maricopa County, (but not City of Phoenix or City of Mesa) 602-506-5911
• Mesa CAN, 480-833-9200
• Northern Arizona Council of Governments, (Apache, Navajo, Coconino, and Yavapai counties) 928-774-1895
• Pima County, 520-243-6777
• City of Phoenix, 602-495-0700
• Southeastern Arizona Human Resource Council, (Graham, Greenlee, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties) 928-428-4653
• Tucson Urban League, (covering cities of Tucson and South Tucson) 520-791-9522
• Western Arizona Council of Governments, (Yuma, La Paz, and Mohave counties) 928-782-1886

Media Contact

Nicole McTheny, Arizona Commerce Authority, (602) 845-1231, [email protected]

About the Arizona Commerce Authority

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter at @azcommerce.