Funded through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), Tennessee Department of Human Services is administering the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which helps low-income households reduce energy costs by providing assistance to weatherize their homes.
WAP services are available in all 95 counties. The program is administered through contracts with an established network of 18 local agencies experienced in providing weatherization services. South Central Human Resources Agency is the organization that serves Hickman County in this area.
This may be of interest since the definition of low income for the program is 200% of Poverty Guidelines ($44,100 for a household of four, for example) and eligible households with elderly, disabled, or young children are given priority for service.
Also, there may still be an opportunity to become qualified to work on the program as an energy auditor or a weatherization contractor. For more information on getting on the training list, go to the Tennessee Weatherization Assistance Program website, www.tn.gov/wap.
About Daryl Phillips, CEcD
I am a professional economic developer. I presently work for communities and companies in developing and implementing workforce and economic development solutions as CEO of Phillips Economic Development Solutions (Phi EDS).
Prior to September 2017, I was the economic development professional who served a community team of elected officials, business people, community leaders and dedicated stakeholders for economic development in Cheatham County, Tennessee (pop. 39,880) and its four towns. During my five-year tenure, I served the team as Cheatham County grew over 1,700 jobs, turned around population declines at the start of this decade into healthy population growth, increased tourism expenditures 20.3% and local tax revenue from tourism 25.4%, grew sales tax revenue 36%, focused on developing the local workforce and was recognized by SmartAsset as having the 9th highest Incoming Investment Index of all the 95 counties in Tennessee.
I am a member of International Economic Development Council, Southern Economic Development Council, Tennessee Economic Development Council and International Council of Shopping Centers.
I have earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) certification from National Development Council and hold a Master of Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University.