06/27/09 - The state Economic Development Corp. awarded the town a $70,065 grant Monday to partially pay for the installation of solar panels at Town Hall.

The grant came from the Renewable Energy Fund, which is financed by a surcharge on mainland electricity bills. Block Island electric customers do not pay into the fund.

Town Manager Nancy Dodge said Tuesday that officials hoped to award the project to a contractor in the coming weeks. Officials expect to use the grant and about $50,000 from Town Hall construction money to pay for the project. Dodge said officials are also considering scrapping a battery backup system from the project to save money.

The Block Island project was one of 17 grants awarded by the EDC Board of Directors. In total, the board granted $681,875 in requests.

EDC spokeswoman Meghan O’Connor said Tuesday that the agency selected projects that would create jobs. The Town Hall project will support hiring people to both design and install the 12-kilowatt solar system. In addition, it will likely lower the town’s electric bills.

In a news release, J. Michael Saul, interim executive director of the EDC, hailed the board’s action.

“The Renewable Energy Fund is an important asset to ensure greater energy independence for our state and in building our capacity to create jobs in this sector,” he said. “The fund is an important resource that will assist businesses, municipalities and other entities in the state in reducing energy costs and increasing our economic competitiveness. Rhode Island stands to gain significant benefits from investing in renewable energy projects that will create long-term job growth opportunities in Rhode Island’s green technology and green energy industries.”