Meritage Homes received top honors at the Building Industry Association’s (BIA) recent 68th annual board member installation dinner. More than 200 homebuilders, trade contractors and associates attended the event that honored Meritage Homes and Barry Grant, Meritage Homes’ West Coast Division president, as the 2010 recipients of the coveted Bill Mazza Memorial Builder of the Year Award.

The award is presented to a member of the BIA actively involved in the association’s charitable organizations, the homebuilding industry and the community. On behalf of Meritage Homes, Barry Grant has served as an active member of the BIA Board of Directors this past year, and has dedicated himself to becoming a leader in his company, industry and community.

“Being recognized as the BIA’s Builder of the Year is a great honor and testament to the talent and dedication of all of our employees,” said Grant. “Their genuine interest in designing, building and selling the very best homes has helped make Meritage Homes one of the nation’s top homebuilders.”

Meritage’s award-winning team will open five new neighborhoods throughout northern California in 2011. Meritage Homes’ newest communities to be unveiled this spring include Ragle Ranch in Santa Rosa, Meritage’s flagship green neighborhood that will showcase the company’s latest energy-saving features and green technology, which are included at no additional cost to homebuyers.

Meritage Homes has been at the forefront of energy-conscious homebuilding for more than 25 years. Today, Meritage is the only large public builder to provide homebuyers 100-percent ENERGY STAR qualified homes at no additional cost. Meritage Homes’ energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly standard features include Low-E windows, programmable thermostats, ENERGY STAR appliances, high performance showerheads and faucets, and low VOC carpets, paint and finishes.

“Our comprehensive, price-included green features provide better comfort and a healthier home that you’ll notice right away and appreciate even more every time you open your energy bill,” said Grant.

Meritage Homes is the nation’s ninth largest homebuilder and is traded on the NYSE (symbol: MTH). In its 26-year history, the company has built more than 65,000 homes, ranging from entry-level to semi-custom luxury. For more information on Meritage Homes programs or neighborhoods, call 866-675-9383 or visit www.meritagehomes.com.