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Andrew K. Johnson
GreenPath Debt Solutions
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mediarelations@greenpath.com

GREENPATH DEBT SOLUTIONS BREAKS GROUND ON NEW HEADQUARTERS IN FARMINGTON HILLS
Corporate office and call center will occupy 125,000 square foot building by spring 2011

(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – April 22, 2010) GreenPath Debt Solutions, a nationwide, not-for-profit, providing financial literacy through consumer education and counseling in the areas of debt issue, housing, bankruptcy and money management, broke ground today on its new corporate headquarters in Farmington Hills, near its existing headquarters on Twelve Mile Road.

“This new building will allow our more than 450 southeast Michigan employees to be together all under one roof,” said Jane McNamara, GreenPath president and CEO. “In addition, by bringing our corporate office and our call center together we can more effectively work with our 42 field offices across the United States,” she continued.

The new headquarters, located on 12 Mile Road and Investment Drive, will cost $17.5 million to build. It is the culmination of almost two years of due diligence and feasibility studies, which will allow all GreenPath call center and corporate functions to be housed under one roof. In addition, with over 600 parking spaces and room for 650 people, the new building will accommodate continued growth for the foreseeable future.

The national architectural firm of Harley Ellis Devereaux was chosen to design the building and Barton Malow has been selected as the builder. It will be located on 10.5 acres on Investment Drive, just east of Halstead on the south side of 12 Mile Road. The new headquarters will be less than one mile from the current headquarters and less than two miles from GreenPath’s current call center. It will be a four-story building of 125,000 square feet.

“One of our goals was to create a comfortable and welcoming work environment, which our employees will look forward to coming to everyday,” said Jane McNamara. “Harley Ellis Devereaux has designed the building with lots of informal collaboration areas, gathering places and refueling stations placed throughout,” she continued.

She went on to describe that the call center areas will feature larger cubicles with lower walls, more natural light with higher ceilings to reduce noise levels. The entire building will contain very few traditional offices with walls and doors. The workspace will be utilizing various styles of modular work stations, which will balance privacy with openness and the ability to collaborate easily.

The building will have expanded state-of-the-art training and conference facilities, among other amenities. It will be an-energy efficient, “green” building, designed to be eligible for LEED certification. “We will be preserving a two acre wetland area just west of the building as well,” McNamara remarked.

U.S.Representative Gary Peters (MI-09) was unable to attend the groundbreaking, but released the following: “I am thrilled that Green Path Debt Solutions is constructing a brand new corporate headquarters in Farmington Hills. Today’s groundbreaking is great news for Oakland County that will bring much needed jobs to our area. Green Path provides essential service to Michigan residents in need of financial consulting and I am pleased they will build their new home in our community.”

Those participating in the groundbreaking included: Maureen Krauss, director of economic development and community affairs for Oakland County; Ben Maibach, Chairman and CEO from Barton Malow; Art Smith, principal design from Harley Ellis Devereaux; Jerry Ellis, mayor, Farmington Hills, and; Mark Shobe, GreenPath treasurer and vice-chair and President & CEO, DFCU Financial.

Construction is scheduled for completion in spring 2011.

GreenPath Debt Solutions has been helping people resolve financial problems and achieve goals through financial counseling, debt management and education since 1961.