Columbia-Greene Community College (C-GCC) is proud to announce the successful conclusion of its second annual Bid and Build Tiny House Auction, where two beautifully handcrafted tiny homes were sold for a combined total of $59,000. The auction, which took place online July 31, 2024, drew significant interest from a wide range of bidders and culminated in a thrilling bidding war.

Columbia-Greene Community College Raises $59,000 in Successful Tiny House Auction

This year’s auction featured two tiny houses constructed by students in C-GCC’s Construction Technology Program, a one-year comprehensive training certificate that prepares students for in-demand careers in the construction industry. Under the guidance of faculty, students spent the academic year mastering all aspects of home construction, from framing to finishing, resulting in two fully functional tiny homes that exemplify eco-conscious construction practices and innovative, space-maximizing designs.

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Each tiny house, mounted on a towable chassis, measures 20 feet in length, 8 feet in width, and 13.5 feet in height. The homes include a fully outfitted kitchen, bathroom with shower, mini-split heating unit, and a sleeping loft, making them perfect for a variety of uses, from off-grid living to additional guest suites or home offices.

“The enthusiasm and dedication our students have shown in building these tiny homes is truly inspiring,” said Dr. Carlee Drummer, president of Columbia-Greene Community College. “This auction not only showcases their skills but also supports future learning opportunities. The funds raised will be reinvested into the Building Construction Technology program, allowing us to purchase materials for upcoming projects and provide scholarships to incoming students.”

Funds raised support hands-on education and workforce development in Columbia and Greene Counties

In addition to funding the program, C-GCC has partnered with The Spark of Hudson to offer full-tuition scholarships for students enrolling in the Construction Technology program for Fall 2024. This initiative, launched in 2023, has significantly increased interest in the program, making it more accessible to students and addressing both housing and workforce challenges in Columbia and Greene counties.

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The auction, which was open to the general public, attracted a diverse group of potential buyers, from snowbirds and off-grid enthusiasts to business owners and those looking to add unique spaces to their properties. The starting bid was set at $26,500, below the market value for homes of this quality.

“We are thrilled with the outcome of this year’s auction,” said Construction Technology Program Instructor Andrew Soltano. “The excitement and interest generated by the tiny houses reflect the quality and craftsmanship our students have put into these projects. We’re already looking forward to next year’s auction and the opportunities it will bring.”

For more information about the Construction Technology program or to learn more about next year’s Tiny House Auction, please visit columbiagreene.edu.

Read More: Can You Name All of the NY Counties That Have Colors For Names?

New York is quite an interesting state, isn't it? We have some of the most influential cities in the nation, but at the same time, the majority of the state is rural land, covered with farms, trees, and rolling mountains.

Plus, there are a lot of colors! Not just the colors of nature that you can get exploring New York, but a number of the counties have colors for names! Do you think you know all of the counties that have colors for names?

Check out the list below and see for yourself!

1) How Did Greene County, NY Get Its Name?

First of all, when I mentioned to a few people I was using "Greene," they said, "You can't use that, it's not spelled like the actual color." And to that, I said, "But come on, you still associate Greene with an 'E' at the end with the color don't you?" And that shut them up. So yes, I'm using Greene County!

Greene County was founded on March 25, 1800. It was meant as a partition from Albany and Ulster Counties. The current borders have been in effect since 1836. Greene County was named for Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene.

However, it is unlikely that the famous General, known as the first “Fighting Quaker,” has ever visited Greene County, New York.

Read More: Injured And Lost Hikers in Greene County Rescued By DEC Forest Rangers

Greene County is also the location of the famous story by Washington Irving, "Rip Van Winkle." It follows a Dutch-American villager in colonial America named Rip Van Winkle who meets Mysterious Dutchmen, imbibes their strong liquor and falls deeply asleep in the Catskill Mountains. He awakes 20 years later to a very changed world, having missed the American Revolution.

2) How Did Orange County, NY Get Its Name?

Okay, Orange is spelled like the actual color. Does this one make you happy?

In 1609, Henry Hudson sailed up our Hudson River and anchored the "Half Moon" in Cornwall Bay. Orange County was established in 1683 as one of the original counties of the Province of New York. The county name is derived from King William III of England who was a Prince of the House of Orange.

READ MORE: Does Orange County, NY Have The Best St. Patrick’s Day Events?

George Washington established his longest residency during the Revolutionary War in Newburgh. It was here that he founded the Order of the Purple Heart, and in 1850 Washington's Headquarters became the first Registered National Historic Landmark in the United States.

And That's It!

What, were you expecting more? Nope! I looked through the list of counties for New York and that's all I found! And turns out both of the "Color Counties" are here in the Hudson Valley! Go figure!

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Honestly, the colors mentioned are perfect for Saint Patrick's Day coming up! Green and Orange help make up the Irish flag. If only we had a White County, then we could've completed the flag.

I guess there is White Plains in Westchester County, but that might be a bit of a stretch.