First Green Bank of Lake County Named Central Florida’s ‘Business of the Year’ by U.S. Green Building Council

EUSTIS, Fla. --- First Green Bank, which has locations in Clermont and Eustis and plans to open its new 20,000 square foot Mount Dora headquarters facility before the end of this year, was named Central Florida’s Green Business of the Year recently by the Central Florida Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a coalition of engineers, architects, builders and developers that sets standards for energy-efficient design and construction nationwide.

Kenneth LaRoe, Chairman and CEO of First Green Bank, said First Green Bank’s new Mount Dora headquarters facility, located on U.S. 441 in Mount Dora, will be one of the first commercial buildings in Central Florida to meet the USGBC’s most rigorous LEED Platinum standards for design and construction.

The USGBC’s LEED criteria---for Leadership in Energy Efficient Design---form a benchmark for sustainable architecture, safety, environmental quality and energy efficiency in commercial and residential design, construction and maintenance.

“First Green Bank is a new kind of community bank that takes a socially responsible approach to environmental quality, good citizenship and personal service,” LaRoe said.

“We are delighted at this latest recognition, and we applaud the attention this will bring to the innovative green strategies businesses are undertaking to improve our quality of life and stimulate economic growth,” LaRoe said.

The USGBC’s Award was presented during the Central Florida Chapter’s Annual LEEDership Awards Gala at the Hilton, Orlando.

Mark MacCracken, Chairman of the U.S. Green Building Council National Board of Directors and CEO of CALMAC Manufacturing Corporation, was the event’s keynote speaker.