A large crowd of community leaders from Chattanooga and northwest Georgia gathered at Northwest Georgia Bank’s new North Shore branch to celebrate the opening of Tennessee’s first green bank. It is the 104-year-old community bank’s 10th branch and the first LEED-certified or “green” bank building in Tennessee, according to officials at the U.S. Green Building Council.

“Designing a LEED building is a true team effort. When an owner such as Northwest Georgia Bank makes a commitment to construct a LEED building, a unique design process is put into place,” said Pat Neuhoff of Neuhoff Taylor Architects, who designed the building. “From the inception, the LEED process requires the owner, architect, engineers and other consultants to focus on environmental responsibility. The impact of design decisions on the environment becomes a true priority.”

LEED is the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system used to identify and measure high performance, environmentally-responsible buildings.

President and COO Scott Smith said, "With the eco-commitment gaining a lot of steam already in Chattanooga, naturally we wanted to join our friends and neighbors in doing our part. When we decided to build our North Shore branch LEED-certified, we had no idea that it would draw so much attention; we just knew it was smart business and the right thing to do for the neighborhood.”

"More than a year after that decision, it's now evident that there is a real environmental effort going on, and not just here in Chattanooga, but all over the U.S.," he said. "We think it's a real trend with positive, sustainable impact, and one we're happy to support. The North Shore branch clearly demonstrates Northwest Georgia Bank's commitment to the community and the environment.”

Some LEED features of the North Shore branch:

Alternative transportation, including public transportation access, bicycle racks and storage, along with a shower and changing room;
Water efficiency, including water-efficient landscaping and plumbing;
Materials and resources management, including using recycled building materials and regional materials requiring less fuel emissions to deliver, as well as recycling 50-75 percent of construction waste;
Indoor environmental air quality, including using low-emitting VOC materials (like adhesives, carpet, paint) that contribute to good indoor air quality and an architectural design that uses lots of light.

"It’s been a delight to work with Northwest on this project. They demonstrate a forward thinking and environmental responsibility that other companies in the area should emulate,” said Jeff Cannon, green|spaces initiative director. “By building such a sustainable building, Northwest is doing a great service not only to its customers but to the whole community."

The LEED certification process is partially-funded with a grant from green|spaces, a partnership between the city of Chattanooga, RiverCity Company and the Lyndhurst Foundation, with additional resources from the Benwood Foundation and UTC. The partnership is a green building initiative in Chattanooga to change the way buildings are built. It provides incentive funding for commercial projects to be built green; green|spaces also provides a resource center for commercial and residential projects showcasing the best eco-friendly materials and methods.

"Chattanooga has earned a worldwide reputation as a city concerned about its environment, and it seems only fitting that we do our part to help sustain this image," said Wes Smith, chairman and chief executive officer.

"And this is more than a token step. Our Northwest Georgia Bank Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to the Lookout Mountain Conservancy, a regional land trust focusing on conservation efforts on Lookout Mountain. We are proud to be a part of that environmental effort, as well," he said. "Whether it’s being green or other civic efforts, you will find Northwest Georgia Bank expressing a genuine devotion to the communities we serve."

At about 6,500 square feet, the new branch will offer full-service banking, investments by Raymond James Financial, mortgage services, Internet access, and free gourmet coffee. Opening with a staff of 14, it is the fourth of several new branches planned for the Chattanooga area, including sites on Hwy. 58 and East Brainerd Road.

Northwest Georgia Bank — North Shore Branch
319 Manufacturers Road
Chattanooga, TN 37405
423-757-4600
Visit www.northwestgabank.com to locate the nearest branch or ATM, plus information on how you can get your hands on $100 by signing up for some of our outstanding products and services.

Lobby Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – noon

Drive-Thru Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – noon

Staff:
Stacie Phillips, assistant vice president-branch manager
Lisa Raff, assistant branch manager
Patten Smith, vice president-commercial loans
Sammy George, vice president-business development
Gary Anderson, business development officer
Michael Pope, Raymond James financial advisor
Allan Jones, mortgage originator
Julie Raikes, Karen Givens, and Stacey Seabrook: financial services representatives
Brooks White, head teller
Tiffany Callahan, assistant head teller
Kyle Bleeker, Amanda Williams: tellers