Philadelphia University’s Engineering and Design Institute and the Green Building Alliance, based in Pittsburgh, have received a $1 million state grant to fund the third year of the Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership, bringing the total received to $4.5 million.

The partnership is designed to capitalize on green building products as an economic driver for Pennsylvania, develop the state’s green economy and jobs and position the commonwealth as a national leader in this arena.

“To make the Pennsylvania green economy grow we need a skilled work force and an educated manufacturing base,” said Chris Pastore, professor of Engineering and co-director of the Engineering and Design Institute.  “This three-year grant was designed to promote those objectives.”

The partnership provides direct assistance in the design, manufacture, and labeling of green building products; promotes commercialization and innovation; and builds awareness through community outreach and training.   In its third year, the Green Growth Partnership expects to assist at least 175 businesses statewide and to create 75 jobs and retain another 150 jobs.

For example, the partnership has worked with Landmark Building, Systems, a Pottstown, Pa., firm that has refocused its work on green school buildings and sustainable multi-family housing and now employs more than a dozen new workers.

The latest grant is part of a new round of $13 million in grants announced by Gov. Edward G. Rendell to help bring new products to the marketplace, provide crucial seed money for promising new companies and create new jobs in the state.  The grants were awarded through the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, which approved the latest investments Oct. 23 at its quarterly meeting in Harrisburg, Pa.

“In this economic climate, it is vital to make sound investments that will leverage dollars, produce jobs, and, ultimately, ensure that our technology sector grows,” Rendell said in announcing the grants.  “These investments are putting people to work, strengthening our communities and incubating innovative ideas that will ensure Pennsylvania remains a leader in the global marketplace.”

The Pennsylvania Green Growth Partnership was established in 2006 with an initial $2 million state grant to promote economic development through the design and construction of green buildings and the development of energy-saving building materials, products and technologies.  The partnership also is charged with conducting research and providing education on sustainability as well as green building design, technology, materials and practices.

In addition to the two lead partners, the Green Growth Partnership also includes Temple, Villanova, Carnegie Mellon and Penn State universities, the University of Pittsburgh, the Delaware Valley Green Building Council and Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

The Engineering and Design Institute, established in 2000, focuses on the development of innovative green building materials, assists with the design of sustainable buildings and provides community outreach and educational programs for students and those in the building field.  Rob Fleming, associate professor of Architecture, is co-director with Pastore of the Institute.