Franklin County Commissioners are committing over $25.5 million in contracts to perform energy efficient upgrades and retrofits to the County's downtown buildings. This commitment is expected to result in savings averaging over $2.4 million per year over a 20-year period. Included is the largest solar application in local government in the State of Ohio.

County employees will be trained in energy conservation measures. Lighting retrofits and 144 solar panels will be installed on the roof of the county building at 80 E. Fulton St. A decentralized cooling system will tie the county's downtown campus together, saving energy and increasing operational efficiency. In addition, a green roof will be installed on the Courthouse Annex located at 410 S. High St. Work is expected to commence immediately with a project completion date set for late spring 2010. The solar panels will be in place by the fall of 2009.

Work performed under these contracts will result in the equivalent of removing 2,800 vehicles from their roads. The package is expected to create a return on investment of almost $50 million in its lifespan.

The Board of Commissioners says that these projects further the principles of County Resolution 683-06, which solidifies commitment to the mutually compatible goals of environmental protection and economic growth.

The Franklin County Commissioners are Democrats Paula Brooks, Marilyn Brown, and John O'Grady. They say that they hope to blaze the trail for other government entities and businesses to follow.