MONTGOMERY-Three Black Belt counties stand to benefit tremendously from a grant recently awarded by Gov. Bob Riley to help eligible low income residents in South Alabama counties save energy and money.

Marengo, Perry and Sumter counties join Choctaw, Dallas and Wilcox counties as recipients of a $41,714 grant to the Dallas-Selma Community Action and Community Development Corporation Inc. to fund home weatherization projects that will save energy and reduce home energy bills for qualified residents.

Riley said the move was a step to help the people of these counties in need of assistance become self-reliant and enjoy a higher quality of life.

“The energy efficiency improvements funded by this grant will improve the quality of life for Alabamians who need help conserving energy and lowering utility bills,” Riley said. “Reducing heating and cooling costs is one way to help families become more self reliant.”

Eligible homes will be tested to determine what weatherization measures are needed to maximize energy efficiency. Improvements may include repairing or replacing doors and windows, adding insulation, caulking and weather stripping to seal air leaks or patching small areas on roofs.

Applications will be accepted by Selma-Dallas CACDC, which will determine those low-income residents who will receive assistance based on U.S. Department of Energy eligibility guidelines.

Riley awarded the grant from funds made available to the state by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He has designated the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to administer the grant. Bill Johnson, ADECA acting director, notified John H. Williams, executive director of Dallas-Selma CACDC, that the grant had been approved.