PITTSBURGH /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - Green Building Alliance (GBA) recently received a $750,000 grant from the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA) for year two of its Green Building Product Initiative and its role with the Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership.
"The green market represents a significant economic stimulus for Pennsylvania, which ranks second in the country in the number of LEED®-certified buildings. Through the work of GBA's Green Building Products Initiative and the Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership, substantial progress is being made as the commonwealth moves toward improved conservation and energy independence measures. It is because of this pro-active effort in a growing industry that we are making this second year allocation," says Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development and chair of the BFTDA board.
The Green Building Products Initiative is a program that engages, educates, and energizes manufacturers, product representatives, and service providers in Western Pennsylvania to increase their share of the green building marketing. During the past year, dozens of Pennsylvania-based product manufacturers have begun to work with the Green Building Alliance to explore and develop green building products. Their motivations for joining in these efforts vary but one of the highlights is that the green building product market is expected to be a $30-$40 billion market by 2010.
The Green Building Alliance is providing consultation and education services, a building product directory, and funding support for the development of new products. The GBA is actively recruiting additional product manufacturers and architectural services providers to be involved in the initiative.
"This grant from the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority is rewarding for two reasons: First, it recognizes the progress made during the inaugural year of the Green Building Products Initiative; and second, it allows GBA to continue with a program that positions Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh as a leader in the green building market," explains Rebecca Flora, executive director, Green Building Alliance.
About GBA
The Green Building Alliance, founded in 1993, is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the health, economic, environmental, and community impacts of new and existing development in the western half of Pennsylvania through the integration of green building practices. Chapters of GBA are: Greater Pittsburgh, Laurel Highlands, and Northwest Pennsylvania.
Source: Green Building Alliance
For additional information, contact Jeaneen Zappa, (412) 973-0558; or Rich Overmoyer, (412) 251-1607, both of the Green Building Alliance.
