Two communities in rural Georgia have received funding to improve key governmental buildings with help from the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Buena Vista and Taylor County are part of the River Valley Community Compatible Development Plan (RVCCD) coordinated by the institute. With help from institute experts, the communities applied for and received $150,000 each in grants from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA). The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants help local governments implement strategies to reduce energy use. Buena Vista and Taylor County will use them to conduct energy audits and upgrades on buildings built in the 1950s. The River Valley Regional Commission will assist communities with grant administration.