This action approves an award in the amount of$19,805,900 to the city of thomasville under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to support resiliency in thomasville's low-income historic neighborhoods…

This action approves an award in the amount of$19,805,900 to the city of thomasville under the inflation reduction act (IRA) to support resiliency in thomasville's low-income historic neighborhoods through three community driven projects. A community resilience hub, the repair of critical water infrastructure causing sewage backups into the neighborhoods, and home improvement grants focused on improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality. These projects will focus on improving health outcomes, specifically asthma and upper respiratory diseases, for priority populations with multiple vulnerabilities to climate change. Activities:the activities include developing a community resiliency hub, conversion of gas-powered lawn care equipment, rebuilding sewer outfall lines, completing housing energy audits, retrofits and installing community solar, community health center, green infrastructure and green energy certification, workforce development training, air quality monitoring and home improvement grant program, plus climate action and resilience plan. Subrecipient:activities to be implemented through subawards include repair and enhancement of sewer infrastructure; development of community resiliency hub and community health center; implementation of the home improvement grants program; implementation and facilitation of workforce development training program; conduct home energy audits and repairs; conversion of gas-powered lawn care equipment; and conduct meaningful engagement. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include up to 45 home improvement grants for vulnerable populations which include up to 60 home energy audits and resident trainings, over 6 energy audits and green infrastructure certification, training sessions for contractors, renovation of 12,000 square feet of indoor community resiliency hub space and 5,000 SF of shaded indoor outdoor space, completion of 1682 square feet for federally qualified health center, 450+ killer watts of total solar power installed, 613217 KWH of clean energy generated, replacement of 30 gas-powered lawn mowers blowers with electric equivalents, and 26,312 feet of rehabilitated sewer truck and outfall lines. 88 manholes repaired or replaced. The expected outcomes include reported decrease in incidents of asthma and other respiratory illnesses, energy cost reduction, reduction in energy costs, green building audits, renovations, enhanced physical safety during natural disasters, annual greenhouse gas emissions reduction and household cost reduction, and reduction in PM 2.5 emitted by lawn care equipment. The intended beneficiaries are disadvantaged communities, including inflation reduction act ('IRA')-designated and 'JUSTICE40' disadvantaged block groups.