Stark State College achieves LEED Gold certification

(North Canton, OH – Oct. 19, 2012) – Stark State College announced today its Corporate Services and Continuing Education Center has been awarded LEED® Gold.

The LEED rating system, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, is the foremost program for buildings, homes and communities designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

Stark State’s Corporate Services and Continuing Education Center is located in the formerHoover Company factory and office buildings in downtown Canton. The project is valuable in a variety of ways, said Stefanie Smith, SSC sustainability coordinator. Its lower operating costs, for instance, are a direct result of reduced energy consumption through high efficiency HVAC systems, upgraded building insulation and windows, and lighting efficiency. Also, she said, improved air quality, natural daylighting and green cleaning create a healthy work environment for students, faculty and staff.

“This is another example of our strong commitment to sustainability here at Stark State College,” said Steve Spradling, director of Stark State’s physical plant and construction. “We are very proud to receive gold on our very first LEED project.”

Building operations are nearly 40% of the solution to the global climate change challenge, according to Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council. “While climate change is a global problem,” he said, “innovative companies like Stark State College are addressing it through local solutions.”