Georgia Peanut Commission holds ribbon cutting and open house for new headquarters
Released: August 6, 2012
TIFTON, Ga.– The Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) board of directors concluded
the commission’s 50th anniversary by holding the official ribbon cutting ceremony
and open house at the new headquarters in Tifton, Ga., on July 31. The new
headquarters is located off of Interstate 75 in Tifton at exit 63B.
“We are proud of the new energy efficient headquarters and the opportunities
that exist to promote peanuts to millions of consumers traveling through Georgia,”
says Donald Chase, GPC Building Committee chairman and peanut farmer from Oglethorpe,
Ga. “The principles of forward thinking in the design of the new headquarters
is a testament to the forward thinking of farmers in the peanut industry here
in Georgia.”
The new headquarters, designed by Cadmus Design-Build, will be the first net-zero
energy building for state government in Georgia. Cadmus Design-Build provides
Architectural Design and Construction Management in the Master Builder tradition
towards net-zero energy, environmental sustainability and economic feasibility
goals. These high performance standards are met through a holistic approach to
energy and water efficiency, conservation, environmental impacts and waste management
as part of design, development, construction and ongoing building maintenance
and operations.
The new headquarters was designed and built to meet criteria for LEED Certification
at a Platinum Level with a combination of systems which provide synergies that
result in enhanced performance overall. The site selection, development, building
placement, design, engineering and orientation all contribute to low-impact and
high performance results.
Beyond building to LEED Certification standards, the new headquarters has fully
integrated alternative/ renewable energy systems that enhance performance capabilities
towards the Near and Net-Zero Energy goals. The new building’s integrated systems
include both passive and active Geo-Thermal Systems, Passive Solar Architectural
Design and Engineering, Solar Photovoltaic Systems, Solar Thermal Systems, Natural
/ Daylight Harvesting Systems, Rain and Condensate Harvesting, and so many other
materials and methodologies that all contribute to the Cadmus Design-Build mission
of “Building a Better
Environment”.
During the ceremony Debbie Cannon with U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss’ office presented
a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of the GPC’s 50th anniversary.
Congressman Austin Scott commended the GPC on an excellent job and stated that
he looks forward to continuing to represent them in Congress. Commissioner of
Agriculture Gary Black also presented Georgia Grown products to the GPC and stated
that the department is having a Georgia state flag flown over the Georgia State
Capitol in honor of the GPC. The GPC was presented with congressional records
on their 50th anniversary from Sen. Chambliss, Sen. Johnny Isakson, Congressman
Scott and Congressman Sanford Bishop.
“The commission is proud of the fact that we have used local contractors and
businesses in the construction of the new headquarters which has helped strengthen
the economy in the South Georgia area,” says Armond Morris, GPC chairman and
peanut farmer from Ocilla, Ga. “The new headquarters will assist the commission
in fulfilling its mission of educating consumers and telling the peanut farmers’
story.”
During the ceremony Don Koehler, GPC executive director, noted that the new facility
lacks only one thing, “We’re absent of a mortgage because it’s paid for.” He
also said the cost of the building was $87 per square foot.
“Not only does this building represent a huge commitment and achievement from
Georgia’s peanut farmers but it will serve as an achievement for the entire peanut
and agricultural industry in Georgia,” Chase says. “We have had numerous partners
throughout the industry that have seen the value of the new headquarters and
educating consumers about agriculture.”
The new headquarters has been made possible through sponsorships and a commemorative
brick and bench program. The sponsors include: Platinum level - Kelley
Manufacturing
Co. and Lewis M. Carter Manufacturing; Gold level - American Peanut Shellers
Association, Birdsong Peanuts, Toto, USA, Inc., The FlintCo Family of Companiesincluding Albany Tractor Company, Flint Equipment Company and Flint Power Systems;
Silver level - Farm Credit, Lasseter Equipment Group and SunSouth. Numerous farmers,
organizations and business have all contributed to the building program by sponsoring
a commemorative brick or bench.
For more information on the GPC building project, visit www.gapeanuts.com.
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View
photos online from the ribbon cutting..
.
- For more information
-
Joy Carter
Director of Communications
joycarter@gapeanuts.com
phone: (229) 386-3690
