A partnership underway between the Cape Fear Green Building Alliance and the North Carolina chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council could expand resources and programming for sustainable building in Wilmington.
Eric Allen, chair of the alliance’s board of directors, said council members initiated the process about a year ago. At that time, the green building council had three regional chapters in Raleigh, Charlotte and the Greensboro region that were working toward consolidating into one state chapter.
Steven Thomas, who is involved in both organizations, said the council became interested in reaching new areas after the state chapter was formed.
“We have exactly the same mission, or almost identical. So if we’re both trying to do the same thing and the state chapter now has the ability to help other areas out … then why not work together?” Thomas said in a June 20 interview.
While the merger will benefit the alliance by offering financial support and other resources, Allen said the council plans to tap into the alliance’s success to reach residential and small business arenas.
“They see it as a win-win. They can pull from our leadership in the residential area and maybe use some of those resources in Charlotte and Raleigh and the Triad area,” Allen said during a June 21 phone interview.
Thomas confirmed that two groups share similar goals and sees partnership as an opportunity for both groups to better achieve those goals by combining their strengths.
“USGBC nationally wants to help homebuilders do what they do best but do it more energy efficiently. We don’t do that very well in North Carolina right now. These guys have got that in spades,” Thomas said.
The alliance invited members to voice concerns during a June 20 meeting but no concerns were shared. Allen said some members have sent supportive emails about the merger.
The state chapter’s board of directors met on June 19, and Thomas said it is ready to extend provisional branch status as soon as the alliance requests it. The board plans to officially vote at its next meeting.
Allen said the group chose to ease into the transition by pursuing provisional branch status.
“It’s a moving target as far as what the relationship’s going to look like. We set it up so we can become a provisional member and still negotiate through what we look like, how we want to be integrated but keep our identity,” Allen said.
While maintaining the group’s roots is a priority, Allen said he is excited to be able to offer new services like LEED certification training classes, tentatively planned for this fall.
He said the classes typically cost hundreds of dollars, but bringing in a free state-certified trainer through the green building council will enable the group to offer classes at much lower rates.
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