We first shared news of the Westside Community Evolves project in 2022, detailing a collaborative neighborhood planning initiative to revitalize the community. Now, we have an exciting update on a part of that plan.

The ongoing renovation of the James A. Henry School — creating a community hub with more Head Start seats, classrooms, a health clinic, etc. — just received a $2.9 million grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE).

Through the DOE’s new Local Government Energy Program, the funds are used to support the implementation of high-impact clean energy projects in disadvantaged communities. Chattanooga was among 12 local governments selected to invest in clean energy approaches such as:

Building efficiency and electrification
Clean transportation
Energy infrastructure upgrades
Microgrid development + deployment
Renewable energy
Workforce development

In Chattanooga, the $2.9 million will be used to make the James A. Henry Building an energy-efficient resilience hub. Renovations will include insulating the roof and installing high-performance windows, LED lighting, and an efficient chiller. The plans align with the city’s Climate Action Plan goals, reducing energy costs + creating job opportunities and employment services.

In addition to grant funding, the project will receive technical assistance to support implementation. Notably, this includes a Community Energy fellow, a DOE-sponsored professional who will be in the community for 18 months to help build capacity + support project outcomes.