Mishawaka, Ind. – The Sterling Group, along with its partners, Memorial Hospital of South Bend and National Equity Fund, held an event today to celebrate the ground breaking of a new affordable housing community on South Bend’s west side.

Heritage Place at LaSalle Square will be located on a 2.54-acre parcel at 3224 Ardmore Trail, immediately east of the LaSalle branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library. Estimated at $7.5 million, this project is expected to be completed in October, 2012.

This new community will consist of a four-story building featuring 72 apartment homes consisting of 28 one-bedroom apartment homes (675 sq. ft.) and 44 two-bedroom apartment homes (875 sq. ft.) for residents 55 and older. Homes at LaSalle Square will be available to individuals with an income at or below 30, 40, 50 and 60 percent of the Area Median Income. Rents will range from $288 - $555 for one bedroom homes and from $345 - $630 for two bedroom homes.

LaSalle Square will be constructed to achieve a Silver National Green Building Standard Designation. Each home will include Energy Star dishwashers, refrigerators and ceiling fans, high-speed Internet access, emergency pull-cords or call buttons and an intercom system. Other Energy Star features will include heating and air conditioning, windows and roofing products.

Community features will include a laundry facility, exercise room, beauty salon, community room, library, and garden area for the residents’ use.

Memorial Hospital’s division of Community Health Enhancement will provide residential programming, coordinate social services and monthly activities, as well as help residents become engaged in community or volunteer work. REAL Services will provide two meals per day and coordinate in-home services, while other services will come from organizations that include AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist, the LaSalle branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library, Bendix Family Physicians, and Unity Gardens.

If anyone is interested in providing additional services, please contact Memorial Hospital at 574-647-1353.

Memorial Hospital & Health System is a community-owned, not-for-profit corporation based in South Bend, Indiana. It is governed by volunteer representatives of the community guided by a mission to improve the quality of life for the people of our community. Services include inpatient care in the licensed 526-bed Memorial Hospital, outpatient care, primary physician care, urgent care, home care and educational programs for adults and children.

In 1993, Memorial was one of the first hospitals in the nation to designate (tithe) 10% of its excess annual revenue, over and above the hospital's charity care and prevention-focused activities, for investments in innovative health programs. Through this process, Memorial has lead the way in the development of unique, community-based programming that promotes a healthier quality of life in South Bend and beyond.

Sterling Construction Corporation is a company of The Sterling Group, Inc., which has also built various other housing communities across the Midwest and Southeast. Sterling Construction has been focused on constructing housing communities since 1983, and is currently expanding across the country, seeking additional General Contracting opportunities.

For more information regarding Sterling Construction, please contact Scott Buckey, Vice President of Construction, at 574-247-3246. Find more information on Sterling’s website by visiting http://construction.thesterlinggrp.com.

The Sterling Group, founded in 1976, develops, constructs, acquires and manages investment quality real estate, specializing in multi-family apartment homes, senior communities, student housing and storage facilities.

Mishawaka, Ind. – Sterling Construction has broken ground on an apartment community in South Bend that will house residents 55 and older. Heritage Place at LaSalle Square is owned by Heritage Place at LaSalle Square, L.P., whose partners include Memorial Hospital of South Bend and National Equity Fund.

This new community will be located on a 2.54-acre parcel, donated by the South Bend Redevelopment Commission, at 3224 Ardmore Trail, immediately east of the LaSalle branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library. The four-story building will feature 72 apartment homes consisting of one and two bedrooms.

LaSalle Square will be constructed to meet the bronze certification offered by the National Green Building Standard. Each home will include Energy Star dishwashers, refrigerators and ceiling fans, high-speed Internet access, emergency pull-cords or call buttons and an intercom system. Other Energy Star features will include heating and air conditioning, windows and roofing products.

Community features will include a laundry facility, exercise room, beauty salon, community room, library, and garden area for the residents’ use.

Memorial Hospital’s division of Community Health Enhancement will provide residential programming, coordinate social services and monthly activities, as well as help residents become engaged in community or volunteer work. REAL Services will provide two meals per day and coordinate in-home services, while other services will come from organizations that include AIDS Ministries/AIDS Assist, the LaSalle branch of the St. Joseph County Public Library, Bendix Family Physicians, and Unity Gardens.

If anyone is interested in providing additional services, please contact Memorial Hospital at 574-647-1353.

Estimated at $7.5 million, this project is expected to be completed in December, 2012.

Memorial Hospital & Health System is a community-owned, not-for-profit corporation based in South Bend, Indiana. It is governed by volunteer representatives of the community guided by a mission to improve the quality of life for the people of our community. Services include inpatient care in the licensed 526-bed Memorial Hospital, outpatient care, primary physician care, urgent care, home care and educational programs for adults and children."

Sterling Construction Corporation is a company of The Sterling Group, Inc., which has also built various other housing communities across the Midwest and Southeast. Sterling Construction has been focused on constructing housing communities since 1983, and is currently expanding across the country, seeking additional General Contracting opportunities.

For more information regarding Sterling Construction, please contact Scott Buckey, Vice President of Construction, at 574-247-3246.

The Sterling Group, founded in 1976, develops, constructs, acquires and manages investment quality real estate, specializing in multi-family apartment homes, senior communities, student housing and storage facilities.

Mishawaka, Ind. - Sterling Construction has broken ground on Phase II of Waverly Station at the Highlands in Pooler, GA. Owned by Paradigm Savannah II Apartments, LLC, the new phase will consist of 107 luxury apartment homes. Residents will have access to the existing clubhouse and amenities.

This newest phase is a direct result of a successful Phase I lease-up. Phase I was completed in early spring 2011 and consist of 222 luxury apartment homes. Located at 2155 Benton Blvd. in Pooler, Phase II is estimated at $7.8 million and is expected to be completed in August 2012.

Sterling Construction Corporation is a company of The Sterling Group, Inc., which has also built various other housing communities across the Midwest and Southeast. Sterling Construction has been focused on constructing housing communities since 1983, and is currently expanding across the country, seeking additional General Contracting opportunities.

For more information regarding Sterling Construction, please contact Scott Buckey, Vice President of Construction, at 574-247-3246.

Mishawaka, Ind. – Sterling Construction has finished rehabilitating the historic Dalton Apartments. This development is in the Downtown Redevelopment District of Gary, Indiana located between the Indiana Toll Road I-90 and I-65. Residents began moving in late this fall and there are only a few apartment homes left to rent.

Dalton Apartments consist of 57 completely remodeled residential units and approximately 7,547 square feet of commercial space and off-street parking. Dalton is made up of two buildings joined by a common wall. The “Towers” is a seven-story historic brick building and the “Modern” apartment building is a three-story brick building. Care was taken during the restoration process to ensure the original façade, woodwork, and structural designs were preserved.

Dalton is fitted with state-of-the-art security and communication systems. Other amenities offered include pre-wiring for cable and high-speed internet access as well as energy efficient appliances and windows. There is a community center located on the lower level that features an exercise room, laundry facility, kitchen and meeting room.

This development offers primarily affordable housing with a small number of market rate apartments.

Dalton Apartments is located in downtown, close to the South Shore Commuter Railway Station and other public transportation options. With Gary’s need for quality affordable housing being at an all time high, the timing of this project is perfect.

Mishawaka, Ind. – Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and CEO, Warren Buffett, cut the ribbon at the grand opening of East Village at Avondale Meadows Apartment Homes. Buffett joined his co-founders of Purpose Built Communities (PBC) in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

East Village is a joint development between Strategic Capital Partners, PBC, The Sterling Group, Meadows Community Foundation, and the City of Indianapolis. The partnership uses PBC’s approach to break the cycle of generational poverty in urban areas by ensuring that housing, schools, human services, health care, recreation and all other ingredients necessary for a healthy community are incorporated in the $150 million, 100 acre- Avondale Meadows redevelopment project.

Sterling Construction is in the process of building 248 apartment homes located along 38th Street in Indianapolis. These homes consist of 38 one-bedroom homes, 130 two-bedroom homes, and 80 three-bedroom homes. Residents began occupying the first completed buildings in November. Construction is expected to be completed in the spring of 2012.

The new community includes numerous amenities, such as: a clubhouse offering a computer center with high-speed connectivity and printer, fitness center, swimming pool, picnic area with barbeque grilling capabilities, gazebo, designated gardening areas for residents and walking trails.
All homes feature a fully-equipped kitchen with stove, garbage disposal, refrigerator, dishwasher and pantry. Full-size washer and dryer will also be located in every home, along with walk-in closets and external individual attached storages.

East Village is being constructed with energy efficiency in mind. All apartment homes have energy rated exterior doors and windows and feature Energy Star Rated Equipment such as a programmable thermostat, range hood fan, a water conservation showerhead, kitchen faucet, and lavatory faucet. In the construction of every home, there is an Energy Star Certified Building Envelope and each home is tested through the Home Energy Rating System (HERS).

The apartment homes are built as part of the Section 42 Tax Credit Program, providing a high quality housing alternative with households of lower to medium income levels.

Future phases of the Avondale Meadows project include 250 townhomes and single family homes, 600 mixed-income apartments, a 70,000 square-foot health and wellness center, a full-service grocery store, a park, a neighborhood garden, and recreational walking, running and biking paths.

In addition, the Challenge Foundation Academy and the Charles A. Tindley Accelerated School are located in the Meadows area, and the Excel Center, a high school for adults, will serve 300 students who are interested in general studies, medical and child development careers. For more information, please visit www.avondalemeadows.com.

Mishawaka, Ind. – The Sterling Group is pleased to announce that its newest duplex construction project, The Village at Whitewater, located along South 52nd St., just off of National Road (Hwy. 40) in Richmond, Indiana is now leasing and resident move-ins have begun.

This community consists of 54 duplex homes with 32 of these being three bedroom homes (1,214 sq. ft.) and 22 home are four bedroom homes (1,352 sq. ft.).

In celebration, The Village at Whitewater hosted a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

All homes are single-family, ranch-style homes featuring a front porch with a rear patio, hardwood flooring throughout the living and dining rooms, two full bathrooms, a full-size washer and dryer, a dishwasher, ceiling fan, walk-in closets, gas hot water heater, electric range and garbage disposal. Other amenities include central air conditioning and an attached two-car garage.

The Village at Whitewater has been constructed with energy efficiency in mind. All homes have been constructed with energy rated exterior doors and windows and feature Energy Star Rated Equipment such as a programmable thermostat, range hood fan, a water conservation showerhead, kitchen faucet, and lavatory faucet.

In the construction of every home, there is an Energy Star Certified Building Envelope and each home is tested through the Home Energy Rating System (HERS). The homes have been built as part of the Section 42 Tax Credit Program, providing a high quality housing alternative with households of lower to medium income levels.

The Sterling Group, founded in 1976, develops, constructs, acquires and manages investment quality real estate, specializing in multi-family apartment homes, senior communities, student housing and storage facilities.

Sterling Construction Corporation is a full service general contractor and has built various housing communities across the Midwest and Southeast since 1983. Find out more by visiting http://construction.thesterlinggrp.com or contact Scott Buckey, Vice President of Construction, at 574-247-3246.

Sterling Management, Ltd. has over 30 years of experience assisting owners in achieving both physical and financial goals for their assets. Sterling Management oversees an expansive portfolio of multi-family communities and storage facilities across the United States. In addition, it also provides fee management services. For more information, please visit www.thesterlinggrp.com or contact Andrea Hurn, Vice President of Management, at 574-247-3241.

Mishawaka, Ind. – River Campus Crossing Apartments Community Building at Indiana University South Bend has been awarded LEED Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council with verification by the Green Building Certification Institute.

The community building achieved LEED Silver Certification for incorporating a design and construction that reduces energy use, provides natural lighting, reduces water and appropriate material use as well as incorporates a variety of other sustainable strategies. By using less energy and water, LEED certified buildings save money for residents, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment.

LEED Certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:

• Sustainable Sites Development
• Water Efficiency
• Energy & Atmosphere Efficiency
• Materials & Resources
• Indoor Environmental Quality

LEED certification was based on a number of green design and construction features including the following:

• 62 percent of green space was planted with native and adaptive species to encourage wildlife habitation and has reduced irrigation by nearly 84 percent.
• The rain gardens surrounding the building capture 90 percent of annual rainfall.
• The building reduces potable water use by nearly 54 percent compared to newly constructed facilities.
• Total energy cost reduction is more than 19 percent compared to typical newly constructed facilities.
• During construction, a total of 35 tons (90 percent) of on-site generated construction waste was diverted from landfill and recycled.
• 18 percent of total building materials was manufactured using recycled materials.
• Sensor technologies allow the artificial lighting to be controlled based on adequate natural day lighting and occupants entering and leaving the building, thus reducing the amount of energy used for lighting and cooling.
• Nearly 95 percent of regularly occupied space uses natural day lighting through exterior windows.
• A geothermal heating and cooling system.
• Integrates a high efficiency water softener system, water reducing fixtures and waterless urinals.

The innovative design and construction process for this facility was a collaboration between IU South Bend, Indiana University Architect’s Office, The Troyer Group, Inc., Sterling Group Inc., and TechComm, Inc.
The community building was constructed as part of IU South Bend’s River Crossing student housing operation which opened in fall of 2008. In addition to the community building, River Crossing includes eight two-story buildings featuring 1, 2, and 4-bedroom units that can accommodate up to 400 students.

Sterling Construction Corporation is a company of The Sterling Group, Inc., which has also built various other housing communities across the Midwest and Southeast. Sterling Construction has been focused on constructing housing facilities since 1983, and is currently expanding across the country, seeking additional General Contracting opportunities.

For more information regarding IU South Bend’s River Crossing Student Housing or Sterling Construction, please contact Scott Buckey, Vice President of Construction, at 574-247-3246. Find more information on Sterling’s website by visiting http://construction.thesterlinggrp.com.

Mini Storage Depot, a self-storage provider in the Midwest, has unveiled an all-new website. The site went live on September 15th, 2011. The website URL is www.ministoragedepot.com.

Designed by G5 (www.g5platform.com), the new website allows current tenants and potential customers access to many more features and options than most storage websites and is incredibly userfriendly. Customers can reserve and rent storage spaces to any Mini Storage Depot directly on thewebsite, as well as pay their account balance, view auction schedules, view sizes, rent and specials, and much more. From the home screen customers will have the option of learning more about Mini StorageDepot, using tools, or finding and visiting a location-specific page. G5 also specializes in search engine optimization, and will be working with Mini Storage Depot to ensure each location page is at the top of major online search engines for easy customer access.

When asked for feedback, 100% of Mini Storage Depot colleagues provided positive feedback regarding the new site. “The new website is outstanding. This site really takes the MSD brand into consideration and helps show all of our customers our commitment to excellence and our ability to stay ahead of our
competition. Mini Storage Depot is not your everyday storage company, and this website plays perfectly into our goal of exceeding our customer’s expectations.” said Seth Giersdorf, Regional Director for Mini Storage Depot. “Our team did a fantastic job of putting this together with G5, and I’d like to thank our marketing team for all of their hard work, especially Holly Nunemaker (Assistant Director of Marketing) for her involvement with this project. The end result is fantastic.”

Mini Storage Depot is a division of The Sterling Group, headquartered in Mishawaka, Indiana, and all MSD locations are professionally managed by Sterling Management. The Sterling Group owns and manages apartment communities and self-storage facilities throughout the United States. There are currently 12 Mini Storage Depot locations which can be found in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio.

For more information please visit our new website at www.ministoragedepot.com or visit the Sterling
website at www.thesterlinggrp.com.

Mishawaka, Ind. – Larry Swank, founder, president and chief executive officer, of the Sterling Group was recently re-elected to a four-year term as an Independent Director to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI) board. Swank’s term began on January 1, 2011.

“I feel very honored to have been elected to a four year term on the FHLBI board of directors,” said Swank. “The past two years have shown me how much the FHLB’s provide liquidity to the Community banking system throughout our country and specifically Indiana and Michigan. Additionally, I have seen firsthand how the FHLBI has assisted affordable housing projects throughout Indiana and Michigan through its’ Affordable Housing Program.”

Swank initially served a two-year term and earned the respect and trust of those he served by capturing more than two million votes during the re-election process. This is an extraordinary achievement for a non-banker At-Large candidate and a testament to Swank’s contribution to the FHLBI. He will also serve on the Affordable Housing and Budget/IT committees.

“Larry’s lifelong dedication to multi-family housing gives him a unique perspective to provide valued input to our bank and its affordable housing mission,” said FHLBI President-CEO, Milton Miller. “We are pleased that he has been re-elected to our board and look forward to his continued service.”

Swank has led the Sterling Group through times of prosperity and downturn for over 35 years. Through his leadership and despite the current economic climate, Sterling Group continues to stand out as a leader in the multi-family industry and has grown by expanding operations into six new states over the past 15 months through focused dedication and strong operational practices.

Swank founded the Sterling Group in 1976 as Sterling Management. Since its inception, the Sterling Group has grown as a focused and dedicated real estate services organization with the addition of Sterling Construction in 1983, Sterling Development in 1998, and Sterling Acquisitions in 2003. Sterling properties are in 11 states throughout the Midwest and Southeast. For more information about the Sterling Group, visit www.thesterlinggrp.com.

FHLBI is one of 12 regional banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. FHL banks are government-sponsored enterprises created by Congress to ensure access to low-cost funding for their member financial institutions. FHL banks are privately capitalized and funded, and receive no Congressional appropriations. The FHLBI is owned by its Indiana and Michigan financial institution members, which include commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and savings banks. For more information about the FHLBI, visit www.fhlbi.com.