Delta Dental “Goes Green” With Expansion of Michigan Headquarters

Project Highlights Renewed Commitment to Grow in Michigan

OKEMOS, Mich., (December 17, 2007) — Delta Dental of Michigan today announced plans to expand its Okemos headquarters with sound environmental practices, and to create up to 150 new jobs. Dr. Thomas J. Fleszar, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental, unveiled the plan.

“Delta Dental is among the largest benefits providers in the nation,” said Fleszar. “We started here in Michigan 50 years ago and we are keeping our corporate headquarters here. Michigan is a great place for our employees to live and work, and we are proud to be part of its future.”

The company was founded as the Michigan Dental Service Corporation in 1957 at a time when dental coverage was not typically considered a part of a standard benefits package. Today, as it celebrates its 50th year in business, Delta Dental of Michigan has affiliates in Ohio, Indiana and Tennessee and currently provides coverage for 6.2 million enrollees in more than 4,000 organizations. In the last 10 years, the company’s revenues have tripled to more than $1.9 billion.

Fleszar said Delta Dental anticipates adding up to 150 new jobs over a 10-year period, bringing the workforce to approximately 800. The knowledge-based jobs will be created to support the company's business growth initiatives, which include offering dental benefits to more people in more places.

“Our economic plan is designed to ensure that Michigan is a great state for companies to locate in and grow,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “This expansion by Delta Dental of their headquarters sets in motion the company’s growth in Michigan and sends a message to the world that Michigan is a great state to do business in the 21st century. We applaud Delta Dental for their 50 years of leadership and celebrate their commitment to Michigan.”

The building expansion, to begin in the spring of 2008, will incorporate the world’s best practices for designing and constructing energy efficient, environmentally sensitive buildings.

Delta Dental will seek a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the national benchmark for buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to work. It will also seek certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council for its efforts to develop sustainable habitats on its 57-acre campus.

“Building green helps us to create a workplace that promotes health and productivity, and reduces our impact on the environment,” said Fleszar. “This underscores our mission of improving health and reaffirms our core value of being a good corporate citizen.”

Corporate citizenship is one of the company’s core values. In 2006 alone, Delta Dental and its philanthropic affiliate, the Delta Dental Foundation, gave more than $1.4 million to programs that improve health and strengthen communities. Since 2000, Delta Dental has administered Michigan’s Healthy Kids Dental program in partnership with the Michigan Department of Community Health. The program was named a national model for Medicaid dental coverage.

Delta Dental’s $85-million building project will include a 35,000-square-foot addition to its 160,000-square-foot headquarters at 4100 Okemos Road, and the construction of a new 80,000-square-foot office building north of it. In addition, a new 20,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art data center will be built at the east end of the property. Delta Dental’s 57-acre campus will support a natural habitat complete with walking trails for employees and the community to enjoy.

Sustainable design features will include:

• Recycled building materials.

• Maximization of natural lighting.

• A green roof on the expansion that will minimize stormwater runoff, filter pollutants and provide natural thermal insulation.

• A stormwater management system designed with landscape elements to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water.

• Native Michigan plants, including prairie grasses, wildflowers and indigenous trees throughout the campus.

The project’s architect is Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. of Detroit, an award-winning planning, design and management firm.

Delta Dental of Michigan, with affiliates in Ohio, Indiana, and Tennessee, is one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. Offices are located in Okemos and Farmington Hills, Michigan; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis and Greenwood, Indiana; and Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, Tennessee.

Delta Dental’s Michigan customers include General Motors, Chrysler, Whirlpool, The Dow Chemical Company, State of Michigan, and Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System, along with many more throughout the state.