" Paducah's New "Green" Landmark "

One of the region's most environmentally friendly businesses has constructed a new Paducah landmark that highlights that through it's green design. Vice President of Administration for Crounse Corporation, Michael Byars, said the barge company's board decided several years ago to design a green building to help trumpet one of his industries best kept secrets: that the river industry is one of the most fuel efficient, environmentally friendly and safest in the transportation of goods.

Byars says the region's river industry is still thriving in these stressed economic times. While business had declined on the lower Mississippi River, tonnage on the Ohio River has not. He also expects several major construction projects to get additional federal funding during the Obama administration, which is putting a focus on infrastructure projects to help stimulate the economy. He's hopeful funds will be allocated to complete the ongoing Olmsted Lock and the Kentucky Lock and Dam projects, which are necessary for the continued growth of the region's river industry.

Byars then handed the program over to Rotarian Rick Coltharp, who designed the new Crounse headquarters, to explain more about what it takes to construct a green building. Coltharp, which described the design, as "a massive undertaking," but from the slides he presented, it's a huge success in both aesthetics and function.

Coltharp said some recycled materials were used in the construction and some 33 tons of waste material from the building's construction was redirected from the local landfill to recycling. The building is also designed to lessen the use of fossil fuels for commuting by encouraging car pools and preferred parking for fuel efficient cars. There is even a special bike area and a changing room for their riders. The design also incorporates lots of windows and beautiful views of the river.

Coltharp fully expects that such design concepts will become commonplace in the future. "Crounse has been in business for 60 years and the new headquarters leaves them well-positioned for the next 120 years." he said.

Community Donation

Julie Harris accepted a check from the Club on behalf of the River Heritage Museum.