This post is also available in: Spanish

Francis Harjo, HUD’s Office of Public and Indian Housing, Office of Native American Programs

Yesterday, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi dedicated a new community center thanks in large part to a $2 million dollar grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The long awaited community center embodies the Band’s mission to preserve Mother Earth with low-impact design features such as solar panels, a green roof and geothermal heating.  The first building in southwest Michigan to earn a gold-level certification in LEED from the U.S. Green Building Council, the 8,500 square-foot building was developed in a culturally and environmentally sensitive way.  In harmony with the Band’s heritage, it will serve as a central gathering space for meetings and celebrations for citizens and their government staff.

To learn more about the Pokagon’s project visit the Pokagon Band’s website.