New Countybank building to be environmentally friendly
March 22, 2010
C/O Index Journal
Many local residents likely recognize Countybank by its distinctive green color scheme.
Following a Friday announcement from Countybank president and CEO R. Thornwell Dunlap III, “green” is now set to be more than just a color for the banking operation.
Countybank is in the process of constructing a new financial center on Reynolds Avenue, one that will replace the dated facility that was torn down on that site about a year ago. The new Reynolds Avenue facility tentatively is set to open June 7.
During a Friday morning press conference at the Reynolds site, Dunlap announced Countybank would be seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the new building, making it the first retail banking facility in South Carolina to do so.
LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance in a number of environmental benchmarks, including energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reductions and more.
A number of local leaders attended Friday’s press conference, including state Sen. Floyd Nicholson, state Rep. Gene Pinson, Greenwood County Council members Bob Jennings and Chuck Moates, Greenwood City Council members Teresa Klauber and Niki Hutto and others.
“We are officially announcing our intent to LEED certify this building and site,” Dunlap said. “Private and public entities across the state of South Carolina are quickly realizing the benefits of going green, and we are one of them. We are working closely with the U.S. Green Building Council’s South Carolina chapter to ensure our certification.”
The Countybank president rattled off a number of benefits to building green, including enhancing and protecting eco-systems, enhancing air and water quality, reducing solid waste and conserving natural resources.
Those in attendance Friday also heard from Penny Cothran, vice president and director of communications or the South Carolina Bankers Association.
Cothran, who told the crowd she is known as the “green Nazi” around her office because of her environmental efforts, lauded Countybank’s efforts in seeking LEED certification.
“I would argue that, more than any other industry, it is our state’s bankers who step forward in our communities as leaders in philanthropy, volunteerism and now, with the building of this new, hopefully LEED certified building, corporate social responsibility,” Cothran said.
A number of representatives from the vendors and contractors who are participating in the construction of the Reynolds Avenue facility also were on hand Friday.
Dunlap said he thought it was critical to use Upstate companies in the construction process.
“We are focused on the economy in the Upstate,” he said. “By partnering with these local businesses and organizations and continuing to lend money to businesses and families in the Upstate, we are solidifying our commitment to the communities we serve.”
Self Regional wins Gallup Great Workplace Award again
March 12, 2010
C/O Index Journal
For the third consecutive year, Self Regional Healthcare has been rated one of the top workplaces in the world.
The Gallup Organization on Thursday announced Self Regional is one of 25 organizations across the world to receive the 2010 Gallup Great Workplace Award. The presentation will be made in late April in Omaha, Neb.
Based on the most rigorous workplace research ever conducted, the award honors organizations whose employee engagement results demonstrate they have the most productive and engaged workforces in the world.
Jim Pfeiffer, president and CEO of Self Regional, called this year’s award further proof Self Regional is a great organization comprised of great people.
“It is difficult to find the right words to express the pride I feel in serving alongside the men and women who comprise our Self Regional team,” Pfeiffer said.
Pfeiffer said only a tiny faction of the world’s workplaces can lay claim to being among the world’s top 25 workplaces, and even a smaller percentage can say they have earned the prestigious award three years in a row.
