My Life. My neighborhood. Our world.

The Iowa Department of Economic Development has signed a $1 million contract with the Center on Sustainable Communities (COSC) to develop, coordinate and deliver green building related training programs. The Center on Sustainable Communities, a West Des Moines nonprofit, educates and empowers consumers and professionals to build with a focus on sustainability.

The workshops will build capacity for Iowa's disaster recovery efforts to rebuild in a safer, stronger and smarter manner. At the same time, the workshops will lay the foundation for ongoing training approaches to strengthen Iowa's ability to design and construct healthier, more durable, more energy efficient and easier to maintain infrastructure, homes and commercial buildings. More details on the trainings will be available soon at www.icosc.com.

"IDED and the state of Iowa are excited about this opportunity and the numerous public, private and nonprofit partnerships that the Center on Sustainable Communities is bringing to this training effort," said Iowa Department of Economic Development Director Mike Tramontina. "It not only aids in Iowa's immediate recovery efforts, but also lays a strong foundation that will support Iowa's long-term sustainability efforts with an emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energy."

Approximately 60 trainings will be offered throughout the late summer and fall with additional trainings to be offered in 2010.  Training topics will range from general introductions to green building to detailed trainings on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; foundations, framing; materials selection; roofing; assessing and prioritizing rehabilitation for existing homes; historic preservation; windows, doors and insulation; and stormwater management. Trainings will be available for both residential and commercial properties and for contractors as well as homeowners and building owners.

Partners in the project include: One Source Training (Community Colleges), Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Iowa Utility Association, Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance, Iowa Energy Center, Iowa Department of Public Safety, U.S. Green Building Council Iowa Chapter, Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities, Greater Cedar Rapids Area Home Builders Association, Iowa Association of Community College Trustees, Cenergy and RDG Planning and Design.

For more information please contact Jeff Geerts at IDED at 515.725.3069 or greenstreets@iowalifechanging.com.