Construction has begun on the $7.4 million Carlton County New Community Services Building, a 40,000 square-foot facility in Cloquet, Minnesota.  Scheduled to open in July of 2011, this new building will replace two aging county facilities and combine many county services into one building; Social Services, Public Health, Child Services, Income Maintenance, Workforce Center, W.I.C. Clinic, Motor Vehicles and Veteran Services.  Sustainable site development, energy efficient HVAC and lighting, water efficient plumbing fixtures, use of regional materials and recycling of construction waste will help the building qualify for LEED-NC Certification.

Use of Alternative Transportation – building to provide bicycle storage and changing rooms, as well as, preferred parking for low-emitting and fuel efficient vehicles.

Use of low-flow plumbing fixtures will reduce water consumption by more than 35% over standard fixtures.

Selection of refrigerants and systems that minimize or eliminate the emission of compounds contributing to ozone depletion and climate change.

HVAC systems have been designed to be 20% more efficient than industry standards require.

Use of low VOC materials in adhesives, paints and flooring systems to minimize indoor air contaminants that are odorous and harmful.

As much waste from construction as possible will be recycled, resulting diverting a minimum of 50% from local landfills.

At least 10% of the building materials will be Regional Materials from within 500 miles of the site.

Implementation of a comprehensive green cleaning/housekeeping program with clear performance goals, including: describing the building’s green cleaning policy and the health and environmental benefits it hopes to achieve.