Columbia, MD (January 28, 2010) – Columbia Builders, Inc. became a member of an elite group when the company took part in accepting a Green Project of the Year Award from the Baltimore regional chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council Maryland.

The 5th Annual Awards Celebration was held at Goucher College in Towson, with Rep. John Sarbanes (D., 3rd) assisting in the award ceremony that recognized 21 winners with plaques and certificates.

"I am honored to accept this high recognition from the Green Building Council, whose members aspire to the dual goals of building with environmental awareness and social responsibility," said Jim Greenfield, president of Columbia Builders.

"This award represents the acknowledgment that what we achieved counts on many levels—not only as builders, but as caring and concerned individuals," he said.

The Awake House, a residential group home for four men with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was given an Award of Excellence in the Homes category. The five-bedroom home, located at Torrent Row in Columbia, was also the first in the state to achieve the highest level of certification from the U.S. Green Building Council in a program called Leadership in Energy Efficiency and Design (LEED). The LEED Platinum designation was announced in June.

Accepting the award on behalf of Columbia Builders and The Arc of Howard County, which assists clients occupying the home owned by Supportive Living Inc., was The Arc's Jay Raksin, who served as principal coordinator of the project.

Established in 2004 as the Baltimore Regional Chapter, USGBC Maryland is a non-profit organization committed to promoting green building and sustainable practices within the Maryland community. The chapter works to advance structures that are environmentally responsible and profitable, as well as healthy places to live, work, learn and heal.

The chapter strives to provide leadership, education, advocacy and resources as well as programs, events, and networking opportunities for the green building industry and the community at large.

About Columbia Builders, Inc.
For nearly 35 years, Columbia Builders has been building homes and communities in Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Columbia Builders has built more than 3,000 homes in more than 50 communities and is recognized for superior craftsmanship and innovation by national, regional and local industry associations. The company was the first homebuilder in Maryland to receive the prestigious Energy Value Award from the National Association of Home Builders. In 2009, Columbia Builders became an ENERGY STAR partner, building its homes to meet strict energy-saving criteria established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It also became the first firm to complete a LEED Platinum certified home in the state of Maryland. Columbia Builders is a member of the Maryland Residential Green Building Council.