At 11:00 a.m. on January 29th, 2009 at the Beau Rivage Conference Center in Biloxi, Mississippi, Mississippi Home Corporation will announce the "Growing a Greener Mississippi" green building competition designed to spur affordable green building throughout the Magnolia State.

The first of it's kind in the nation, the contest is based on the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Guidelines. The NAHB Green Program is a third party verified system designed to help builders construct healthier and more cost efficient housing nation wide. The program is a points based system offering homes in three categories, Bronze, Silver and Gold.

As the first certified verifier for Mississippi I will be attending the conference and will be present afterwards to answer questions pertaining to competition details and to help describe the program in more detail.

Prize money will be awarded to first, second and third place winners. First place entry will be awarded $50.000 based on design, energy efficiency and a host of other categories designed to show that going green does not mean expensive construction.

Mississippi Home Corporation was created by the State in 1989 to serve as the State's Housing Finance Agency. In that capacity, MHC administers the Mortgage Revenue Bond program and the Housing Tax Credit program, among others. MHC's mission is to enhance Mississippi's long-term economic viability by financing safe, decent, affordable housing and helping working families build wealth.

For more information about the NAHB Green Building Program visit NAHB online at www.NAHBGreen.org.

For more information about the contest contact Gary Smith toll free at 1-877-809-6139 or online at: www.GaryNSmith.net.