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Mountain Community Homes Receives National RecognitionFort Drum Mountain Community Homes, the partnership between Actus Lend Lease and the US Army under the Residential Communities Initiative (RCI) program, received the 2008 Private Sector Partner of the Year Award on August 11, by the Association of Defense Communities (ADC). This “company of the year” award recognizes the overall efforts of a private sector company or organization in supporting defense communities or the military, including private developers who are implementing base projects. “Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes is honored to be recognized as the Association of Defense Communities Private Sector Partner of the Year Award recipient. Together with the Army and Fort Drum, we are committed to providing quality housing and the best services for our brave Soldiers and their Families. We are proud to partner with individuals and groups so dedicated to the military community and greater North Country.” - Joseph E. McLaughlin, Project Director, Mountain Community Homes The Mountain Community Homes partnership has improved the quality of life for Soldiers and Family members at the New York post by constructing quality homes for Families and building modern amenities in its communities. In addition to the new, ENERGY STAR certified homes, Mountain Community Homes built four community centers which include state-of-the-art-fitness centers, indoor playgrounds, Internet cafés, Wi-Fi Lounges, meeting spaces, magnificent Great Rooms, Pitch ‘n Putt greens, and skate and splash parks. The partnership is also constructing The Timbers, a new, modern, 192 one and two bedroom suite-styled apartment community for unaccompanied senior enlisted Soldiers and officers, one of the military’s first such projects. The partnership embraces the Pentagon’s push to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Newly constructed homes receive certification under the New York ENERGY STAR labeled homes program, resulting in a 30 percent energy savings over conventional homes. The developer has created hundreds of jobs and supported local and small businesses. To date Mountain Community Homes has spent, more than 70%, $140 million, with local and small businesses. It also is committed to helping its residents find employment; 30 percent of the partnership’s employees are veterans or military spouses. “Today’s Army Families need a nurturing and sustaining residential environment. The Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes partnership develops and manages these living communities with a slogan to underwrite Recruitment, Retention and Readiness, backbones of the military. The quality of housing and superior level of service provided promotes social sustainability and increases the quality of life for Fort Drum Soldiers and Families. As active members in the surrounding communities of Northern New York, Fort Drum Mountain Community Homes is the ideal partnership of which other RCI projects should base their business practices and is very deserving of this prestigious award.” - William L. Bamann, Supervisory Housing Manager, Fort Drum The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) is the nation's premier membership organization serving America's defense communities. With 1,200 members nationwide, ADC is the voice for communities and states with a significant military presence. ADC unites the diverse interests of communities, state governments, the private sector and the military on issues of base closure and realignment, community military partnerships, defense real estate, mission growth, mission sustainment, military privatization, and base redevelopment. | News Archives |
