Plans are in place for a "Green" addition to a Service One Credit Union branch.

This new addition will be the first of this magnitude in Bowling Green.

"Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design," otherwise known as LEED, sets the prestigious rating standards to which the addition will be built.

When complete, this new addition will receive a platinum ranking, which is the highest rank a building can receive from the U.S. Green Building Council.

"I brought the idea to the board because we needed to add space to our Campbell Lane branch," said Valerie Brown, President and CEO of Service One Credit Union.

"It was built in 1987, and we have a break room smaller than my office."

The Campbell Lane Service One branch is the largest with around 40 employees, and when an addition was mentioned, Brown felt it would be best to go green.

"Energy conservation, environmental sustainability, these are becoming part of our collective consciousness," said Brown.

Brown wants the building to be viable in the future, and says there are many benefits in addition to helping the environment.

"We believe that it will add value to our members," said Brown.

"It will serve as a green building example in the community, and I think it's something that our membership and the community will be very proud of."

Bowling Green Municipal Utilities is providing help with solar panels, City and County Storm Water Management helped with the bio-retention basin, and the Tennessee Valley Authority is giving suggestions for geothermal heating and cooling.

One feature Brown says she is most excited about is the green roof, which lasts up to 30 years longer than regular rooftops.

Brown believes this addition will be a new start for our community.

"I believe with climate change being talked about so much and some of the other issues, the cost of energy, the cost of gas, that it's a step we all can make," said Brown.

Brown, blueprint designers, and many various organizations have been creating their plan since last November.

Service One Credit Union will hold a groundbreaking at the Campbell Lane location next Thursday, May 22, at 11:30 a.m.