Senator O'Dell Honored with Home Builders' Highest Award

South Carolina Senator William H. “Billy” O’Dell, Republican representing Anderson and Abbeville counties, was honored with the Hammer and Trowel award at the 41st Annual Bird Supper in Columbia. Senator O’Dell received the Home Builders Association of South Carolina’s highest award for a public official for his commitment to economic development and support of the state’s home building industry and affordable housing.

“Senator O’Dell has pioneered many pro-business bills and co-sponsored several bills of importance to our industry,” said Mike Lowman, president of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina. “His efforts to protect small businesses and the American dream of home ownership have influenced other legislative initiatives that promote positive change.”

Over the past 22 years, O’Dell has stood up for affordable housing and the success of small business. “Senator O’Dell recognizes that home building is one of the powerful industries that feeds the economy,” said Nick Nicholson, executive officer of the Lakelands Home Builders Association. “Because of this and the fact that the majority of home builders are small businesses, he supports and pushes legislative issues that are important to home builders in an effort to protect all South Carolinians.”

Some of his legislative accomplishments on behalf of home builders include the passage of Tort Reform, Workers’ Compensation Reform, Multiple Lot Discount Bill, and the Fire Sprinkler Mandate Bill.

The Hammer & Trowel Award is given annually to a public official (elected or appointed) or to any government employee who has had the greatest positive impact on the State’s housing industry during the previous twelve months. Selection is determined by an endorsement from a local Home Builders Association and secret ballot from the HBASC executive committee.