Area Development
Kentucky is doling out $787,000 in funds to four in-state companies as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The companies will use the money to make their lighting systems energy-efficient in commercial facilities. The state's Cabinet for Economic Development will award the companies 50 percent of the funds needed for the upgrades.

Montaplast in Frankfort, GE's Aviation Division in Madisonville, Sekisui Specialty Chemicals in Calvert City, and Florida Tile in Lawrenceburg will each receive $280,500, $200,000, $144,170, and $162,500, respectively.

Florida Tile plans to replace lighting in its facility that is more than 40 years old. Those old fixtures require 400 to 1,000 watts each. But new lighting will only consume 200 watts, and since the new system will be brighter, 30 percent fewer fixtures will be needed. The company expects to save nearly 75 percent on lighting costs.

"The grant funds allow us to move forward on a project that is a key component of our Florida Tile CARES program," or Creating A Responsible Environmental Strategy, said Director of Logistics Richard Kincaid. "Not only will we be able to significantly reduce our energy usage, we'll also have a brighter work place for our employees."

Kentucky plans to administer another $3.35 million in ARRA funds over the next few months.