Florence Darlington Technical College’s (FDTC) Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing & Technology’s (SiMT) newest facility, the Manufacturing & Business Incubator Center (MBIC), recently received LEED® Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Designed by LS3P, and constructed by Choate Construction Company, the MBIC combines over 5,000 SF of office/public areas with 23,000 SF of high-bay, flexible and reconfigurable incubator space.  Between 5 and 20 manufacturing companies, in varying stages of business maturity, utilize the space for the early-stage development of their advanced manufacturing businesses. The research they perform within the MBIC is expected to be spun off into businesses that, in turn, will create high-paying jobs for the Pee Dee region.

In keeping with FDTC’s green building approach, the MBIC combines a bevy of eco-friendly features to not only provide for the health and well-being of occupants but allow the college to achieve a long-term return on its nearly $4 million investment.  “This successful strategy resulted in FDTC’s first LEED certified building on their campus,” said the architect, LS3P’s Allen Taylor.  The design of the new MBIC complements the aesthetics of the existing Advanced Manufacturing Center to create a campus environment while setting the tone for future buildings.

The MBIC incorporates sustainable elements such as water efficient landscaping and low-flow fixtures resulting in a projected 32% savings over baseline use; recycled materials; certified sustainable wood; and a high-efficiency mechanical system. Indoor air quality strategies included low emitting materials, control of chemical and pollutant sources, lighting and thermal comfort controllability, and thermal comfort design and verification. Furthermore, because even the most energy efficient buildings consume electricity produced primarily from fossil fuels, renewable energy credits (RECs) were purchased to offset the project’s environmental impact.

This is Choate’s third project on the FDTC campus.