Growing a Greener Mississippi

As co-chairman and on behalf of the entire Building Green Works Committee at the Home Builders Association of Jackson I’d like to thank Mississippi Home Corp for their efforts in promoting affordable resource efficient housing in Mississippi. Our HBAJ Green Committee includes builders, associate members, utility companies and government agencies. We’re proud to have them serve on our committee.

As a certified NAHB Verifier I believe this contest will not only promote energy efficient construction, but will offer Mississippi residences affordable homes that help them save water, live more comfortably in cleaner air, save money through lower maintenance cost and will encourage the public to save our planet’s natural resources.

In support of the contest, I would also like to announce that the Jackson Association will host the NAHB Certified Green Professional course (see below) February 17-19 at our office in Ridgeland, MS. The CGP designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes— without driving up the cost of construction. The three day class provides a solid background in green building methods, as well as the tools to reach consumers. The class will explain how to accrue points in seven categories: water, energy and resource efficiency; lot and site development; indoor environmental quality; global impact and homeowner education. The program sets point requirements in each category for the bronze, silver and gold levels. McGraw Hill reports that by 2012 - 20% of new homes built in the US are expected to be HERS rated, performance tested and built green.

The future? There is no doubt, through energy consumption and the living environment, the homes we build today will impact on our children and our grand children. That’s why it’s so important that we focus our efforts on the “science” of building construction.

Building Green is smart.

Building green is affordable.

First, through this contest and then into the future we will all be…Growing a Greener Mississippi. So…from the HBAJ Building Green Works Committee, Thank You!

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... or online at: www.GaryNSmith.net.