7 MHDC receives Energy Star Award Delaware’s largest non-profit builder of affordable housing for lower income families has received a federal award for its construction of energy efficient homes in Lincoln and a senior rental community in Felton during 2008. The award to MHDC (formerly Milford Housing Development Corp.) of Milford, was the only one made to an organization in Delaware during the 2009 Energy Star competition, and one of three given in the mid-Atlantic region. The award was presented by the U.S. Departments of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This summer, MHDC will complete its 100th “self-help” home for Delaware families. Since 2006, each home produced by MHDC has earned the Energy Star seal of approval. According to David Moore, MHDC president and CEO, the use of Energy Star rated appliances and building guidelines saves each MHDC homeowner an average of $500 every year in utility costs. Brian Ng, award coordinator for the Energy Star program, said that “the work of MHDC exemplifies invaluable commitment and dedication to the Energy Star program by providing energy efficient, affordable housing to an underserved population.” Ng said that this is particularly important because “many lower income households spend a disproportionate amount of income on utility costs.” The MHDC award was one of only 16 regional awards presented nationwide to both for-profit and non-profit recipients. The Energy Star program was created in 1992 as a voluntary labeling effort to identify and promote energy-efficient products to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. MHDC currently has more than a dozen affordable housing projects at various stages of development, representing enough homes and units to serve 1,000 more lower Delaware residents over the coming several years. Projects under construction include Manchester Manor in Laurel (10 homes), Cedar Creek Landing in Lincoln (five homes), Harmony Hill in Camden (31 homes) and a partnership with Delaware State University at Coverdale Crossroads (three homes).
Business.gov launches online community SBA’s Business Gateway Program has announced the launch of a new web initiative - the first government-sponsored online community built specifically for small businesses, www.business.gov. The objective of the Business.gov community supports the White House’s mission to create a transparent and connected democracy, and aims to provide small business owners, bloggers and
the government with a place to share information about running a successful business. The site also provides an opportunity for small businesses to provide direct input and voice the ways government and the online community can better serve them. Over the next few months, the Business.gov community will expand to include additional features and resources that address specific user interests and provide access to the wider pool of government and partner resources available to small business owners.
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Business Report | May 2009