UCM has launched the National Energy Retrofit Institute to promote energy efficiency and stimulate jobs in Western Missouri. (Photo courtesy Google Images)

WARRENSBURG, Mo.-- In efforts to produce more energy efficient jobs and opportunities in Kansas City and the western Missouri area, the University of Central Missouri has launched the National Energy Retrofit Institute (NERI) through its School of Graduate and Extended Studies.

Based out of UCM’s Summit Center in Lee’s Summit, Mo., and publicized in late April, NERI’s role in western Missouri is multi-faceted. The first objective for NERI is to retrofit homes and building around the area. Scott Boyce of UCM’s School of Extended Studies explains that “residential or light commercial building structures” are the main targets of NERI’s retrofitting efforts. “Through NERI, we are aiming at improving energy improvement measures,” said Boyce.

Updating existing homes and structures is not the only concern of NERI. Because of the present economic downturn, industries around the country have been economically damaged. A damaged housing economy means many displaced workers without projects to fulfill. “The housing industry is probably the worst it has been since World War II,” said Boyce. “We want to help the residential construction force get back to work.”

The two goals of NERI will work in unison. By expressing the need to retrofit existing home and commercial buildings, NERI expresses the need for technicians, carpenters, electricians, architects and plumbers who have been displaced by the depletion of the housing market. By creating “greener” jobs, the area becomes “greener” as a whole. The benefits of NERI’s efforts overlap each other while serving the community.

Laurel Hogue, the assistant director of Extended Studies at UCM’s School of Graduate and Extended Studies, feels strongly that NERI has created a good thing.

“We have had interest from all over and have many stakeholders from the area that are interested in what we are doing,” said Hogue.
Some of those stakeholders include the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri Division of Workforce Development, the Home Builders’ Association of Greater Kansas City, the West Central Workforce Investment Board, Kansas City Area Development Council, Missouri Senator David Pearce, 31st District; and State Representative Denny Hoskins, 121st District.

Hogue continues to explain that NERI has “created a model for” more communities to pursue similar energy saving practices.

According to a press release for UCM’s School of Graduate and Extended Studies, this effort could “represent $1.3 trillion in retrofit construction activity serving 130 million homes.” If all homes can benefit, NERI’s effort could induce about 1.3 million jobs that would sustain for 10 years.

Hogue says the most challenging part of the work of the retrofit consortium is getting awareness. “We are trying to inform the community as best we can,” said Hogue, “we have to overcome the barrier of access to information.”

To learn more about NERI and making your surroundings greener, visit www.ucmo.edu/neri, www.ucmo.edu/retrofit, or www.ucmo.edu/workforce.