3 area plants receive federal energy funds

2/9/2010

Three factories in northwest Ohio have been given federal money to improve energy efficiency, Gov. Ted Strickland announced Monday.

The money comes from the $96 million State Energy Program, a part of the 2009 federal stimulus package.

American Trim, in Lima, was awarded $994,000 for installation of a coating line that applies a protective film on steel substrates for the advanced energy, automotive, and appliance industries. The project will create 39 manufacturing jobs and an estimated energy saving of 16,800 million BTUs, the state said.

General Motors Co.'s Defiance Powertrain Foundry was awarded $518,232 to install dehumidification equipment on a furnace that produces molten gray cast iron. The project is expected to save the company an estimated $515,000.

New Horizons Baking Co. in Norwalk was awarded $1 million to install new energy-efficient ovens that bake bread for fast-food restaurants. The project will increase energy efficiency at the facility by 25 percent and help the company retain the 161 jobs there.