FPL teams up with Panama City Rescue Mission for shelter improvements

PANAMA CITY — The Panama City Rescue Mission teamed up with Florida Power & Light to make the shelter more energy efficient, allowing it to save money on heating and cooling. The results were unveiled on Sept. 4.

“At FPL, we are powering strong communities by supporting organizations like PCRM that play a vital role in uplifting those most in need,” said J.T. Young, vice president and general manager of the FPL Northwest region. “This substantial reduction in energy costs means they can channel more resources directly into their mission, providing a safer and brighter future for their clients.”

FPL has a program where it looks for nonprofit organizations that could benefit from an "Energy Makeover." When it chose PCRM, it sent a team from Pensacola to audit the facility and identify ways to reduce their power bill. The team discovered that the doors on the 69-year-old building weren't well-sealed. This allowing a good amount of conditioned air to escape.

This prompted FPL to give the shelter the funds for three new glass double-doors at a total cost of $15,000. Ross Clemons, executive director of PCRM, said that the new doors are already saving them around $450 a month on their electric bill.

“We are thrilled to see the immediate benefits from these facility upgrades,” Clemons said. “The savings on our energy bills are substantial, allowing us to better allocate our resources to serve the community. We extend our heartfelt thanks to FPL for their unwavering support and commitment to our cause."

Clemons said that this money saving will help with their goal to hire more staff. It's about an eighth of what they need to hire another person; however, between the energy savings and an upcoming sponsor banquet , he thinks they can make it happen.

FPL is a regular financial contributor to the shelter and one of their management team members is a board member at the mission. The utility plans on continuing to work with PCRM in the future.

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: FPL teams up with Panama City Rescue Mission for shelter improvements