The Bainey Group, Inc., a full service general contractor in Plymouth, Minnesota, earned and applied a LEED Innovation Credit to the overall score for the Smetana Business Center, by using USGBC's prescribed percentage of Green Advantage Certified personnel on the project. This 56,000 square foot office building located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota is now completed and LEED certified.

“We could not have done this without the support of Green Advantage, their instructors and staff,” explained Brad Bainey, CEO, The Bainey Group. “The Green Advantage seminar and exam was an incredible way to “mainline” an under-standing of sustainable buildings from concept, through design and construction; what it means, how it works and how to get it done,” he added. “Being the first project ever to obtain the LEED point for meeting the required percentage of Green Advantage personnel, has been a highlight in my 37 year career,” he concluded. Brad Bainey, CEO General Contractor The Bainey Group

The Bainey Group, Inc. may re-submit for this Innovation Credit to be considered on future LEED project worksheets as well. Since the total number of points a project earns determines the ultimate level of LEED certification, it is possible that this one point could make the difference between basic certification and a Silver rating… or bump a Silver rating to Gold, or a Gold rating to the Platinum level.

Bainey credits the Green Advantage Training and Certification Program with providing the practical and real world information necessary to successfully incorporate and streamline sustainable building concepts, practices and products into the building and design process.

The company is committed to the “green philosophy” and not just on projects earmarked to be LEED certified. Sustainability has been incorporated into their Design-Build, General Contracting, Constructing Management, Tenant Improvements, Remodeling & Renovation, Consulting and Value Engineering processes and services.

“The Green Advantage program was instrumental in the success of our project. It helped the whole team to understand the importance of building Green, and how we can accomplish it. I would highly recommend anyone to check out the benefits of Green Advantage,” said Richard A. Weiblen, Vice President/Development, Liberty Property Trust and Developer/Owner of the Smetana Business Center Project.

How’d they do it?
The Bainey Group contacted Green Advantage and sponsored a Green Advantage Commercial Training and Certification Event for 40 people, including:

Brad Bainey
Chuck Bainey
Steve Oelfke
Tom Olson
Robert Dunleavy
Chris Hegner
Teri Harris
…all of whom are now Green Advantage Certified Practitioners.

Through the certification process, Green Advantage, Inc. endeavors to elevate the standards and enhance the capabilities of building industry personnel with regard to energy efficiency and sustainable building design. To arrange your own in-house corporate Green Advantage Training and Certification Event please contact us at info@greenadvantage.org . Let us help you meet your Green Building Goals!

On-Line Directory of Green Advantage Certified Practitioners

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