October 22, 1996

Audit of Department of Energy's Warehouse Space

 The downsizing of Department of Energy (Department) facilities as a result of the end of the Cold War may have a negative impact on many communities that were heavily dependent on Departmental operations for economic stability. To lessen the negative effects on these communities, the Department has encouraged the formation of local community reuse organizations. These organizations determine and sponsor economic development initiatives to offset the local consequences of the Department's downsizing. The Department provided financial assistance to these organizations through grants and cooperative agreements. We initiated this audit to determine whether economic development grants and a cooperative agreement with East Tennessee not-for-profit organizations were achieving the Department's intended purposes.