Ohio weatherization jobs to be cut as funding ends

COLUMBUS (AP) — Hundreds of home-weatherization jobs are expected to be lost in Ohio as federal stimulus money runs out for programs that help low-income and elderly Ohioans with home-energy improvements runs out.

The Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies in Columbus told the state this week that agencies providing services for the Home Weatherization Assistance Program expect to lay off about 700 employees in the next six months.

Association Executive Director Philip Cole says the expected layoffs will include crew workers and contractors working for weatherization providers across the state.

He says the jobs are expected to disappear with the last of $267 million in federal stimulus money that Ohio began receiving in June 2009.

The money was part of $5 billion allotted for weatherization under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.