Success Stories

Arizona Weatherization Program Success Stories

ACAA is proud to announce our newest publication featuring local success stories in the Weatherization Program. See it here.

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Weatherization Program Gives Local Contractors Boost
In a time when there is chronic unemployment throughout Arizona and the Nation, many in Arizona are looking to Weatherization and Energy Efficiency programs to create much needed jobs.

Not only does the Weatherization Assistance Program help low-income families and individuals lower their home energy costs, and increase their health, safety and comfort, and improve the quality of housing stock in communities around the state – the Weatherization Assistance program creates jobs.

Steve Craig, owner of Arizona Style Construction, is putting people to work from Tucson to Pine Top.

Contracting with local Community Action Agencies through Weatherization Assistance Programs for weatherization services throughout eastern Arizona, he and his crews have weatherized 200 homes, helping him to maintain his business in these slow economic times.

Located in Tucson, Craig uses local vendors and suppliers in Pine Top, Show Low and Lakeside where his crews have completed 50 home weatherization projects with local electricians, plumbers and heating and cooling installers.

Craig even has his trucks serviced locally when he is on the job. He has purchased tires, repaired windshields and replaced a transmission through a local vendor, and he stays in local motels and supports local restaurants.

Craig believes Weatherization stimulus funding is a great opportunity to provide on-the-job training for his crews and to cross-train technicians in all aspects of weatherization program.

He currently employs four and plans to hire two more specifically for Pine Top and Show Low projects.

“My crews know building from the ground up; they are current on the latest technologies,” Craig said. “With the training they receive they can teach others.”

Currently three of his staff are Building Performance Institute (BPI) certified having attended Weatherization Boot Camps, a weeklong training program offered through the Foundation for Senior Living Southwest Building Science Training Center in Phoenix.

In addition to providing jobs and supporting local businesses, Craig has seen how weatherization makes significant changes in people’s lives.

“Every house and every apartment we complete means one more family moving towards self-sufficiency and away from government assistance. It helps to relieve the burden on government,” he said. “Weatherization, it is good for the customer, the company and the community.”