Green Building Alliance received a $750,000 grant from the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority for Year Two of its Green Building Product Initiative and its role with the Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership.

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.

This week the GBA also announced an online version of a Pennsylvania Green Building Product Directory. Listings in the Directory are free.

"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," Rebecca Flora, Executive Director, Green Building Alliance.

“The green market represents a significant economic stimulus for Pennsylvania, which ranks 2nd 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 towards 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," said Dennis Yablonsky, Secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development and chair of the BFTDA board.

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.

For more information, visit the Green Building Alliance Green Building Product Initiative webpage.

NewsClip: Sustainability Week Highlighted By Green Building

Two New Local Housing Developments Anticipate Greener Times

Links: Build Green Schools – U.S. Green Building Council

The Green Home Guide – U.S. Green Building Council

11/2/2007