Several credit unions that pledged to finance more green projects will be on site for the Dec. 15 groundbreaking of an environment-friendly student housing complex at the University of Maryland.

The eight story, 320,000-square-foot facility is set to have 600 beds, a 382-parking space garage and 8,500 square feet of retail space for lease. The housing complex will be a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified building, which means it will have proof of energy conservation through site development, water savings, energy efficiency, use of materials and indoor environmental quality. Besides low-flow plumbing fixtures, recycled steel frames and concrete materials, the complex is set to have a partially vegetated roof that can reduce storm water runoff and offer better insulation. The complex is scheduled to open fall 2010.

Business lending CUSO CU Business Capital worked with the $2 billion State Employees Credit Union of Maryland Inc. to get the complex off the ground. Earlier this year, the Miramar, Fla.-based CUBC committed $45 million in SBA loans to create more green projects. In addition to SECU of Maryland, the following CUs are involved: State Nassau Educators FCU, Franklin Mint FCU, Bay Gulf CU, Freedom of Massachusetts FCU, McCoy FCU, Parda FCU, Premier FCU and STCU FCU.