KANE — The West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund (WPPSEF) has awarded grants to two organizations in Kane, amounting in up to $20,000 to the Kane Area Industrial Development Fund (KAIDC) and up to $16,000 to the Kane Area Community Center.
The Kane Area Development Center (KADC), which supports the Kane Chamber of Commerce, Kane Area Revitalization Enterprise (KARE) and KAIDC, is working collaboratively with WPPSEF and The Rural Lab to showcase the Kane Passive House project, located at 63 Fraley Street. Purchased by 63 Fraley Street LLC and WPPSEF in 2019, this 123-year-old building is being transformed into an ultra-energy efficiency structure, which helps continue the revitalization happening in Kane and enriches the community.
The Kane Passive House project is receiving international attention due to the technical challenges of renovating a masonry building whose original construction dates back to 1898 followed by the addition of the third floor in the 1920s.
“We believe that the Kane Passive House project represents the first commercial masonry building renovation in the U.S.,” said WPPSEF Director Joel Morrison.
The building will serve as an advanced energy showcase and demonstrate how high-performance buildings can be used to drive economic development and to train local contractors to Passive House technologies.
The Kane Passive House project builds upon WPPSEF’s recent investments in the Kane Community Center at 46 N. Fraley St. and the PA Wilds Media Center, which will be located on the second floor of 59 N. Fraley St. above the Laughing Owl Press.
“The Kane Passive House project is a huge opportunity for Kane,” said KADC Executive Director Kate Kennedy. “It is exciting to have this very unique space available right here on our main street and to have potentially new businesses or other ventures move into a building that sat vacant for the last 5 years.”
Kennedy will assist in determining competitive rental rates and in helping to identify and recruit potential tenants that are aligned with WPPSEF’s mission. Additionally, she will be part of developing an outreach campaign for the project, which will include print and digital media as well as organizing tours and events.
To learn more about the Kane Passive House project, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kanepassivehouse.
Grant funds for the Community Center will be used to make upgrades on its lighting and hot water heating systems. The grant money will go toward purchasing energy efficient LED lighting with a lighting control system as well as an energy efficient heat pump hot water heater. This grant will allow the Community Center to lower its electric use and use the money saved to reinvest back into supporting the community.
