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Franklin County approves $9.74M school energy project; $2.51M EESI loan part of funding package
Summary
The county approved a Trane energy‑efficiency and infrastructure project for Franklin County Schools estimated at $9.74 million. The district will use a State EESI loan ($2,508,981), ESSER funds, and school fund balances to finance the work; Trane guarantees projected savings over 14 years.
Franklin County commissioners on March 20 received and approved the financing plan for a comprehensive energy conservation and infrastructure project for Franklin County Schools.
The project, described in county documents as an Energy Conservation & Infrastructure Improvement Program provided by TRANE US, Inc. and project partner Excel Energy Group, carries an estimated total cost of $9,744,024. The County and the Franklin County Board of Education plan a multi‑source funding approach: a 14‑year low‑interest loan from Tennessee’s Energy Efficient Schools Initiative (EESI) of $2,508,981; proposed allocations from ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds, and transfers from school fund balances and district capital reserves.
County materials state the TRANE package is projected to generate approximately $5,057,402 in energy and operating savings over 14 years; the documents show a guaranteed savings calculation that, after netting project costs over that term, is projected to leave about $1.46 million in net savings. The scope includes HVAC and building systems work intended to lower energy use and reduce ongoing operating expenses.
School and county staff presented the plan and the financing options to the commission. The Board of Education had previously approved the TRANE project and forwarded it to the county for required fiscal approvals and appropriation.
What’s next: With county approval and the EESI loan in place, the district will move to contract execution and project scheduling. The project will require construction coordination at schools and standard building permits and inspections. The county’s finance documents list the EESI funding and other earmarked sources; project schedules and procurement steps are on file with the finance and school offices.
Attribution: The funding and savings figures are drawn from the school and county finance documents presented at the March 20 meeting and from the TRANE project package and staff reports.
