photo by: Douglas County

Solar panels installed at Douglas County Public Works.

A clean energy nonprofit based in Kansas City has received a $250,000 grant to support planning efforts for potential energy-saving projects in Douglas County.

Metropolitan Energy Center was awarded the grant by the Coalition for Green Capital, according to a news release from Douglas County. The grant is called a “Market Building Grant,” and it will be used to explore “financial strategies that attract both private and public investors” for energy-saving projects in the county, the release said.

As for what types of projects these strategies would be used to attract, the release said they could include upgrades to community centers, nonprofit buildings and multifamily rental housing.

“Our goal is to design a plan that brings clean energy and energy-efficiency upgrades to community facilities and housing where it’s most needed,” Douglas County sustainability impact analyst Jamie Hofling said in the release. “This is about lowering utility bills, creating healthier spaces and making our county more resilient in the future.”

Douglas County is one of 49 communities in the U.S. chosen to participate in this round of grants, the release said, based on the potential impact of local projects and their attractiveness to future funders and investors. The grant period runs through April 1, 2026.

“Metropolitan Energy Center is proud to partner with Douglas County on this planning effort,” Kelly Gilbert, executive director of Metropolitan Energy Center, said in the release. “We know that the cost of energy is rising, and efficiency and renewable energy solutions are more important than ever. Our role is to bring technical expertise and connect partners so Douglas County can design financing strategies that work for its unique needs and deliver long-term savings and resiliency to residents and organizations alike.”