Weatherization is the new green in more ways than one.

With $223.8 million to spend in 18 to 36 months, Georgia and Tennessee officials expect to create more than 16,500 new jobs while they weatherize as many as 25,000 homes on Uncle Sam’s stimulus dime.

Many of those jobs will be contractors and subcontractors, officials said.

Tennessee and Georgia officials already are offering contractor signups and training programs, as well as links for people interested in working as energy auditors.

Ringgold, Ga., contractor Jess Potter of Jess Potter Services said he plans to be one of those working.

“The program is expanding quite considerably,” he said. “I came to the meeting (in Chattanooga about the program) yesterday to see how much competition I am going to have.”

Tennessee’s Human Services Department community service director, Regina Surber, said the Volunteer State expects to weatherize between 10,000 and 12,000 homes — up from the norm of fewer than 2,000.

“With this much additional work, we do anticipate the need for several hundred more jobs,” Ms. Surber said Thursday, noting that contractors interested in applying may call toll-free: 1-877-830-3304.

Bernadine Turner, administrator of Chattanooga Human Services Department, which oversees the Neighborhood Services and the weatherization program, said 26 contractors, including Mr. Potter, attended the city’s first meeting on the program Wednesday.

“We told them what the program is about and what they need to qualify and what training they have to get from the state,” Ms. Turner said.

One Chattanooga contractor who did not want to be named said he had inquired about the program, but was put off by training sessions he would have to take.

Mr. Potter dismissed those concerns.

“I did hear someone saying he didn’t think he needed lead training to put in insulation,” Mr. Potter said. “But by May of next year, every contractor will have to have that lead training to have a contractors license at all. With the money available in this program, a contractor spending $200 for a class is cheap.”

U.S. Department of Energy officials said every $1 invested in the Recovery’s weatherization program will return $2.73 in energy and nonenergy-related benefits.