Senator Harri Anne Smith presented a $250,000 grant from Alabama Department of Economic and Community affairs to the Houston County Commission this morning.

The funds come from an energy efficiency program.

The money will be used to update heating and cooling vents in several county buildings including the health department, farm extension office and courthouse.

These upgrades are expected to save the county 80 thousand dollars a year in utility costs.

"There will also be some HVAC upgrades on the admin building. That will help improve air quality of the building so you will get to see better temperature control issues. That will help in the reduction of those energies" said Sean Curtis, Houston County Maintenance Manager.

This money came from part of the stimulus funds available for energy efficiency.