Election Forum a Big Success

Our General Membership Meeting this month was an election forum for members to hear short presentations for candidates for political offices. Pictured is Frank Holleman of Greenville, Democrat candidate for S.C. Superintendent of Education.

The HBA Legislative Committee organized the event and invited more than 50 candidates—17 participated:

• Alvin Greene, Democrat Candidate for U.S. Senate
• Paul Corden, Democrat Candidate for U.S. House District 4
• Trey Gowdy, Republican Candidate for U.S. House District 4
• Mark Hammond, South Carolina Secretary of State
• Alan Wilson, Republican Candidate for South Carolina Attorney General
• Frank Holleman, Democrat Candidate for S.C. Superintendent of Education
• Tom Corbin, Republican Candidate for S.C. House District 17
• Rep. Dwight Loftis, S.C. House District 19
• Rep. Wendy Nanney, S.C. House District 22
• Joe Waters, Democrat Candidate for S.C. House District 22
• Rep. Chandra Dillard, S.C. House District 23
• Rep. Garry Smith, S.C. House District 27
• Councilman Joe Dill, Greenville County Council District 17
• Xanthene Norris, Greenville County Council District 23
• Bunk Johnson, Democrat Candidate for Greenville County Council District 26
• Dan Rawls, Republican Candidate for Greenville County Council District 26
• Councilman Fred Payne, Greenville County Council District 28

Candidates spoke about their experience, why voters should support them, and how they would make South Carolina a better place if elected. They also responded to questions like making health care more affordable for small businesses.

Also in attendance was Danielle Gibbs, Upstate Director for U.S. Senator Jim DeMint, who is running for reelection against Alvin Greene.

The meeting also featured table top sponsorship displays by seven new member companies:

• Babb & Brown, Everette Babb
• Norandex Building Materials, Kevin Sherer
• Square One Construction, Ty Cheek
• Three River Stone, Andy Gibson
• Upstate Home Improvement, Lise Anzelone
• Yoders Building Service, Gary Mast

Other new members in attendance included Angela Frazier with Business & Construction Law Group and Pam Cofer of ReMax Realty Professionals.

The next HBA event is a Builder After Hours Social at Gateway Supply on August 26.

Custom Builder Solves Riddle of Spec Lending

Not too many custom home builders are constructing spec homes these days, nor getting financing for them. David Werschay of Werschay Homes in St. Cloud, Minn., however, is an exception.

Werschay’s approach to spec homes is straightforward: “I can’t sell cars if I don’t have cars on my lot,” he says. “If I don’t have a house out there to drive traffic during these promotion times — or any other time — I’m not going to sell lots and I’m not going to sell houses,” he adds.

Read the entire story in Residential Design and Build by clicking here.

Business magazine ranks S.C. #1

Business Facilities magazine named South Carolina No. 1 for economic growth potential, citing its recruitment of Boeing Co. The magazine also gave high marks to the strength of the state's business climate and auto manufacturing sector.

Read the full article in GSA Business by clicking here.

NAHB Economic Analysis Related to Lead Paint Rule

On the heels of a recent EPA announcement that more accurate, inexpensive lead paint test kits will NOT be available anytime soon, NAHB has completed an economic analysis of the true costs associated with the new Lead: Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. The test kits, which were expected to be ready by next month, were seen as key to keeping the lead paint rule affordable for home owners.

Analysis from NAHB Economics reveals that the cost of the lead-safe work practices and third-party lead paint testing for window replacements alone in all pre-1978 homes includes: 1) a reduction of $1.9 billion spent on window replacements performed by professional contractors; 2) a reduction of $1 billion in wages and salaries earned across all industries; 3) 21,266 fewer jobs; and 4) a reduction of $579 million in revenue for federal, state and
local governments.