Press Room
New ACCION Headquarters to include Solar Panels, LEED Certification Design
Albuquerque, N.M. (March 15, 2010) – The new headquarters for ACCION New Mexico ∙ Arizona ∙ Colorado (ACCION) will incorporate solar panels as well as other environmental features to meet LEED certification standards, thanks in part to an investment from PNM.
The goal of the solar panels is to reduce annual energy costs for ACCION’s new headquarters by a range of 2.5 percent to 12.5 percent. In addition, ACCION has incorporated design work for LEED Silver certification in an effort to make ACCION’s new green headquarters one of the only small commercial buildings in New Mexico to have achieved LEED certification. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building’s design and construction meet or exceed a series of environmental performance metrics.
“PNM has been a longtime supporter of ACCION and our microlending efforts,” said Lynn Trojahn, vice president of advancement for ACCION, “and it is fitting that their contribution will help make our new headquarters energy-efficient and enable us to achieve LEED certification while providing greater training opportunities for small business owners in our new building.”
PNM, which offers incentives for businesses and homeowners to install solar systems and helps nonprofits identify ways to save energy, has worked closely with ACCION on the project.
“PNM is committed to helping non-profit organizations like ACCION achieve their goals to improve our communities,” said Chuck Eldred, an ACCION board member and executive vice president and chief financial officer, PNM Resources. “PNM is honored to work with ACCION to provide leadership in renewable energy sources and energy-efficient construction of their new headquarters.”
ACCION is dedicated to helping small business owners create assets, build wealth, and achieve financial health. The organization offers small business loans between $200 and $150,000 along with training, networking and other support services to those who want to start a business or business owners looking to expand.
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Founded in 1994, ACCION has financed the start-up and/or growth of 2,725 businesses
through 4,386 loans totaling more than $28.6 million.
The organization serves entrepreneurs in 217 urban and rural New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado communities through partnerships with local banks and organizations.
ACCION is one of only 4% of U.S. nonprofit organizations to have been awarded
Charity Navigator’s top four-star rating five years in a row.
Please visit us at www.accionnm.org or call 1-800-508-7624.
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Please contact Heather Wood at hwood@accionnm.org regarding any errors or requested revisions.