Francis Marion University, Florence-Darlington Technical College and Northeastern Technical College have been awarded federal economic stimulus funds by the South Carolina Budget and Control Board’s State Energy Office to make energy efficiency improvements.

Francis Marion University received $270,380 to replace four heating and air conditioning units in Smith University Center Gymnasium with more energy efficient models. The university will also make significant upgrades to its chiller plant. These improvements will help the university save more than $83,000 annually in utility costs.

Florence-Darlington Technical College received $168,734 to upgrade lighting fixtures and install heating and air conditioning management systems in six on-campus buildings and locations in Hartsville and Lake City. These improvements will help the college save more than $77,000 annually.

Northeastern Technical College received $73,250 to install energy management systems for lighting and heating and air conditioning systems campus-wide, saving the college more than $9,000 annually in utility costs.

“All three of these institutions are able to use this stimulus award to make vast improvements at their campuses,” said John Clark, director of the South Carolina Energy Office. “As a result of these far-reaching efforts, taxpayers will save a significant amount as a result of better energy efficiency.”

The state’s public colleges and universities are receiving a total of $12.2 million, and state agencies are getting $7.4 million for energy efficiency improvements. The state’s 85 school districts are sharing $20.3 million in grants and loans for energy efficiency.