Financial thoughts

Nearly 40 public school systems in North Carolina — including four in the Charlotte region — will share $5.4 million in federal stimulus funding to help save money on utility bills and create jobs.

Grants have been awarded to the following local systems:

•Central Piedmont Community College: $200,000 to repair and upgrade the central energy plant for the uptown Charlotte campus and improve lighting. Total cost of the project is $210,630.

•Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools: $200,000 for lighting retrofits in 16 schools. The project’s total cost is $400,000.

•Gaston County Schools: $169,200 to upgrade heating and air-conditioning systems and add system controls for Stanley Middle School and North Gaston High School. Total cost of the project is $369,200.

•Rowan-Cabarrus Community College: $177,521 for lighting improvements, occupancy sensors and HVAC system upgrades. Total cost of the project is $194,546.

The grants program is administered by the N.C. Energy Office, part of the state’s Department of Commerce, to encourage energy conservation and economic investment in counties, municipalities, community colleges and public schools.

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