The new energy efficient building in Sparks, Nevada that will house Belimo Americas, a technology company which develops, manufactures and distributes products for HVAC systems, will provide a real-life showcase for the company’s own energy-saving products.

“We're going to walk the walk and talk the talk,” says Amy Cervantes, project manager for Belimo Americas.

The new facility will be responsible for final assembly and distribution of valves and actuators. It will also be the Western customer service center. When the first phase of Belimo America’s energy efficient building expansion is completed in December 2009, the company plans to add additional employees to assist in production.

Belimo Americas is another instance of a company expansion in Nevada. In 2008, nearly 40 companies expanded their Nevada operations or relocated to the Silver State. Belimo Americas has applied for the United States Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) building certification.

Nevada is one of the first states to adopt legislation to reward companies with tax incentives for developing energy-efficient buildings.

“Non-residential and multi-family residential buildings that earn certification under USGBC LEED new construction, major renovation, core and shell and existing buildings are eligible for a partial abatement of property taxes. To qualify, Nevada requires that LEED Silver buildings must earn three points for energy conservation, LEED Gold and LEED Platinum buildings must earn at least five and eight energy conservation points respectively,” says Dr. Hatice Gecol, Gov. Jim Gibbons science and energy advisor and the director of the Nevada State Office of Energy.

Each standard has different levels of achievement beginning with LEED Certified and continuing to Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Each level is determined by a point system. Points are awarded in six design categories including; site selection, efficient use of water, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovative design.

“We’re going for Gold certification,” Cervantes explains. “It will be the first LEED-certified facility for Belimo.” In addition to buildings in the U.S., Belimo operates in Latin America, Canada, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Belimo was established in 1975. It produced the first direct coupled actuator which replaced pneumatic systems saving labor time and energy.

“From the very first product we developed to our offering today, we have produced products that help reduce energy consumption and save money for our customers," Cervantes says.

In order to receive a Nevada tax abatement, a building project must be registered with the USGBC and the Nevada State Office of Energy and have a certificate of eligibility from the Director of the Nevada State Office of Energy.

According to a Harvard Business Review study, benefits of energy efficient buildings include: fewer employee illnesses, lower health care costs and lower absenteeism. Productivity in energy efficient buildings can be increased by as much as 15%. Harvardbusiness.org

“Another facet is the economic development aspect,” says Mike Skaggs, executive director of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development (NCED “When you implement efficient building, you’re displacing imported energy with in-state jobs. High performance building institutes a measure of energy independence,” Skaggs says.

For more information on Belimo Americas visit belimo.com or call 775/857-4243.