The City of Bloomington Receives EPIC Grant for Energy Efficiency Upgrades, Renewable Energy, and Climate Resiliency at Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Bloomington, Ind.—The City of Bloomington has been awarded funding through the Indiana Office of Energy Development’s Empowering Energy Partnerships in Indiana Communities (EPIC) grant. The grant will support a comprehensive upgrade of the historic Buskirk Chumley Theater, aimed at enhancing energy efficiency, sustainability, and climate resiliency.

The project will involve significant improvements to the theater’s mechanical systems, along with the installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels and a battery energy storage system. The upgrades will transform the theater into a model of energy efficiency, reducing its operating costs and carbon footprint.

The Buskirk Chumley Theater, a key cultural and community hub, has long faced challenges due to outdated infrastructure. The EPIC grant will address these issues by reducing energy costs by an estimated $6,000 annually and cutting CO2 emissions by approximately 25.6 tons per year. The project aligns with Bloomington’s Climate Action Plan goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 2018 levels, with a long-term goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

“Theaters worldwide, especially historic ones like the Buskirk-Chumley, which has been a Bloomington landmark since 1922, aren’t typically known for their energy efficiency,” said Steve Versaw, Executive Director of Buskirk-Chumley Theater. “That's why it's so exciting to contribute to transforming this venue into a sustainable space that future generations can enjoy for the next hundred years.”

As part of the city’s response to climate change, the theater will also serve as a community cooling center during extreme heat events, offering free film screenings in a climate-controlled environment. The battery energy storage system will ensure the theater can continue providing cooling services even during power outages. Upon completion of the upgrades, the theater will host public tours and a speaker series on sustainability, highlighting energy efficiency and climate resiliency efforts both locally and nationally.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity the EPIC grant has provided to increase Bloomington’s resilience to climate change while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions at our beloved Buskirk Chumley Theater," said Shawn Miya, Assistant Director of Sustainability. “This investment will help ensure the theater’s continued presence in our community and provide a space for energy efficiency and decarbonization education across our region. The Buskirk Chumley Theater project will position Bloomington as a leader in sustainable development and energy innovation. We hope this project serves as a beacon of inspiration to residents, businesses, organizations and municipalities across Indiana in our shared fight against climate change.”

For more information about the City’s ongoing sustainability and climate efforts, please visit the Sustainable Bloomington website or email the Department of Economic and Sustainable Development.

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