MO DNR Awards $1.6M Loan for School District Energy Project

MO DNR Environmental Newsroom

Published March 6th, 2026

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has awarded a low-interest loan of over $1.6 million to the Hillsboro R-III School District for energy efficiency improvements. The project aims to reduce energy costs and conserve resources for the school district and its community.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Loan Program has awarded a low-interest loan exceeding $1.6 million to the Hillsboro R-III School District. This funding will support significant energy efficiency upgrades, including the replacement of outdated HVAC systems, cooling plants, and rooftop units. The project is anticipated to benefit over 3,000 Missourians and generate annual energy savings of approximately $188,090.

This initiative highlights the state's commitment to supporting public institutions in reducing operational expenses through energy conservation. The loan is structured to be repaid by the energy cost savings realized by the district, demonstrating a financially sustainable approach to infrastructure improvement. The program, active since 1989, aims to stimulate the economy by enabling public schools, higher education institutions, and local governments to invest in energy-saving innovations.

Source document (simplified)

Friday, March 6, 2026

Hillsboro R-III School District to install HVAC improvements

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MARCH 6, 2026 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Loan Program has awarded a low-interest loan of more than $1.6 million to assist the Hillsboro R-III School District with an energy efficiency project. Improvements will include:

Replacing the existing 25-year-old building automation system. The new, energy-saving BAS will control the fluid coolers, boilers, water-source heat pump unit, rooftop units, ductless mini-split fan coil units, energy recovery ventilation units, exhaust fans and the kitchen ventilation unit.
Replacing the existing cooling plant with new, more efficient fluid coolers and water source heat pumps.
Replacing the individual direct expansion, or DX, rooftop units with new, more efficient rooftop units. A total of 72 water-source heat pumps and 19 rooftop units will be replaced.
Replacing 10 energy recovery ventilation units, six ductless mini-splits and four condenser/compressor units.

"Communities are eager to trim monthly expenses and be better financial stewards," said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Department of Natural Resources. "By implementing these energy efficiency projects, applicants are able to better conserve our energy resources and focus more of their budgets on their core missions."

The project is expected to benefit more than 3,000 Missourians and result in an annual energy savings of approximately $188,090. The Hillsboro R-III School District will repay the loan with money saved on energy costs as a result of the energy efficiency project. In addition, the project will reduce electricity use by more than 615,102 kilowatt hours, equivalent to the power consumed annually by about 60 homes.

"The Energy Loan Program provides the opportunity to make improvements by installing energy efficient innovations," said Emily Wilbur, director of MoDNR's Division of Energy. "The Loan Program stimulates Missouri's economy by saving taxpayer money, allowing the applicants to redirect savings toward other priorities."

Since the Energy Loan Program's inception in 1989, the department's Division of Energy has awarded more than 633 loans representing more than $120 million in completed energy efficiency projects and more than $235 million in estimated cumulative energy savings. Through the Division of Energy, low-interest loans are provided to public schools, public higher education institutions and local governments to help reduce energy costs. Loan financing may be used for various energy saving investments such as insulation, lighting systems, heating and cooling systems, combined heat and power, pumps, motors, aerators, renewable energy systems and other measures that reduce energy use and cost.

To learn more about the Energy Loan Program, please visit dnr.mo.gov/energy/grants-loans or contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Energy at 573-751-2254 or toll-free at 855-522-2796.