News Article
The National Academy of Environmental Design will Locate to Spotsylvania County
Spotsylvania County, the National Academy of Environmental Design and Luck Development Partners Team Up to Create a Sustainability Hub for Leading Design and Planning Professionals
Monday, July 30, 2012
Kathy Smith
Spotsylvania County Government
Spotsylvania County, Va. - The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors, through its Economic Development Authority (EDA), has approved an innovative plan to attract world-class research, product design and manufacturing, policy development, and related educational activities to Spotsylvania, Va.
Spotsylvania County, The National Academy of Environmental Design (NAED) and Luck Development Partners (LDP) announce today the NAED will be opening an office in the County. NAED features the Nation's leading organizations in design, planning, communication and research. These experts in planning and design will have a new home in Spotsylvania at Smith's Mill Education Center (SMEC) in Ni Village, designed and funded by LDP.
Together with Luck Development Partners, the NAED and the University of Mary Washington, Spotsylvania County officials have been exploring ways to rebrand of the County, to attract other national private companies and organizations and to position it as a leader in sustainability initiatives.
Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Paul Trampe noted, "NAED's move to Spotsylvania County lines up perfectly with our goal of attracting leading companies and educational institutions in sustainable design and vision of becoming a nationally recognized and prestigious community known for having an environmental ethic." Trampe added. "We are offering some incentives to NAED that we probably wouldn't offer a profit-making company, but education is one of the primary functions of government and the National Academy will help us fulfill that function. For that reason, I feel going the extra mile is justified."
"This tremendous partnership among NAED, Luck Development Partners and Spotsylvania County creates a new research asset in the Commonwealth that will result in even stronger collaboration with Virginia's research universities," said Governor Bob McDonnell. "Companies will have the opportunity to solve sustainability issues with research experts that will help them stay competitive in today's market. I am thrilled that the Academy will make its home in Spotsylvania County's new environmentally sustainable education center as an anchor tenant, and look forward to its growth and success."
"I am pleased that plans for the establishment of the National Academy of Environmental Design in Spotsylvania County are moving forward," said Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. "The Academy will serve as a great resource for the community and will bring additional investment and job creation to the area. I offer a warm welcome to the Academy and am glad they are going to call Virginia home."
Focusing on issues relating to sustainability, environmental design and alternative energies, NAED's purpose is to help public agencies, private companies, and citizens address pressing needs related to the design, construction, and stewardship of built and natural environments.
Frederick Steiner, president of the NAED commented, "We are extremely grateful for all the support and leadership of Spotsylvania County. Their belief in our vision and partnership along with LDP's allows the NAED to fulfill a critical need to provide the necessary expertise and leadership in creating a more sustainable and livable environments, not only in Spotsylvania but across the world."
The NAED brings together both the talent and vision of leading design and planning professionals to engage in the research that can respond to the American public's need for responsible guidance about the nation's most pressing environmental issues.
NAED and LDP share similar values around creativity, leadership, commitment and integrity. Charlie Luck, owner of LDP and president/chief executive officer of Luck Companies, commented, "We have a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others and with NAED's and the County's leadership, we can make this a reality through sustainable design practices."
Eileen Dahlstedt, general manager of LDP, shared, "NAED will serve as the core think tank for Smith's Mill Education Center (SMEC) at Ni Village and the impetus for creating an industry cluster for the County surrounding green technologies, environmental innovation and research and development." Dahlstedt added. "NAED, the County and SMEC will represent some of the most leading edge thinking and thinkers in the United States in the area of sustainability and green building concepts."
SMEC at the Ni Village is designed to promote lifelong learning with a focus on a shared educational center with multiple institutions focused on resource conservation, green technology development and sustainable living.
The University of Mary Washington, a partner since 2010, has agreed to help further the educational, research and professional goals of this project.
"We believe NAED's support of communities, governments and private companies wishing to develop innovative solutions to current and future problems, is compatible with the strategic vision of UMW in the area of sustainability," said President Richard V. Hurley. "The University looks forward to partnering with NAED and other entities that conduct research in the proposed park by contributing faculty and student expertise to these endeavors. In addition, UMW students will benefit from internship and research opportunities with NAED."
About Spotsylvania County:
Spotsylvania County is one of Virginia's fastest-growing counties, situated along Interstate 95, midway between metropolitan Washington and Richmond. The economic development mission of Spotsylvania County is to attract and retain diversified business and industrial investment, to provide a broad spectrum of employment opportunities for our residents, while maintaining the unique historic and natural resources of our community.
About the National Academy of Environmental Design (NAED):
Created by more than 20 nonprofit organizations, the National Academy of Environmental Design (NAED) represents more than 500,000 members. People involved in NAED activities come from both industry and academia and are among the world's most knowledgeable in their field. The NAED membership provides the leadership and expertise required to accomplish complex research projects on issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and energy security. The existing National Academies arose during times of extreme need for the nation-the Civil War, the Space Race-and the NAED is developing in similar fashion. To learn more, visit www.naedonline.org
About Luck Development Partners (LDP):
An affiliate of Luck Companies, Luck Development Partners, LLC resolves to integrate and highlight natural, historical and environmental elements into the design of its real estate projects. The LDP team upholds both an ethical standard of environmental sustainability and aspirations of enhancing the lives of those in our communities. For more information on Luck Development Partners, visit www.lucklegacy.com or www.nivillage.com
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For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.
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