Government Affairs Forum: City of Greenville's Jessica Chapman, PE

This week Jessica Chapman, PE, CFM, Assistant City Engineer-Environmental for the City of Greenville, met members of the Home Builders Association to discuss how the association can better work with the City of Greenville to improve the city's permitting and land development regulatory process.

Chapman discussed a review currently underway by a private consulting firm of the city's permitting process.  She reported that the city is endeavoring to improve the process and make it more understandable for everyone involved.

Chapman and the association also discussed a more regional approach to stormwater detention that would be more efficient and environmentally sensitive.

Chapman also reported on the status of the City's flood mapping system.  She reported that FEMA is currently in the process of updating its maps in the city.  She demonstrated the city's GIS system and the component that allows property owners to easily see whether their property is in a mapped flood plain.

To view the city's GIS system and check the location of your property, click here.

Employers: State law requires all new hires to be verified through E-Verify beginning January 1, 2012

In June Governor Nikki Haley signed into law amendments to the South Carolina Illegal Immigration and Reform Act.  The key change to the law requires all employers, beginning January 1, 2012, to verify the employment status of all new employees by using E-Verify.

E-Verify is an online system run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  Employers using E-Verify are required to check the status of a newly hired employee within three business days of the employee's hire date.

Failure to comply with this new law will result in probation, suspension, or revocation of the employer's South Carolina business license.  Under South Carolina law, all private employers are imputed with a South Carolina employment license, or business license, which permits a private employer to employ a person in the state.  There is no action required on the part of the employer to receive the business license, but failure to comply with the South Carolina illegal immigration law could result in revocation of the license and termination of the business' ability to employee people.

Employers using E-Verify must apply to use the system, agree to its terms, and take an online study course and pass an online test before beginning to use the system.  The application and testing process takes about two hours.

Click here to log on to E-Verify and begin the process of complying with the law.

Click here for more information about South Carolina's Illegal Immigration and Reform Act.

Oct. 27 HBA Government Affairs Forum Features Greenville City Engineer

Jessica Chapman, PE, Assistant City Engineer for the City of Greenville Environmental Services, will be the featured speaker at HBA of Greenville’s Oct. 27 Government Affairs Forum. The forum begins at 8:30 a.m. at the HBA of Greenville office. There is no cost to attend. Register online or call (864) 254-0133.

Fall NAHB Construction Forecast Webinar Coming Oct. 26

Get diverse data and interact directly with some of the nation’s top economists during the Fall NAHB Construction Forecast Webinar. Join NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe and other top economic forecasters as they examine:  Are any markets improving? Where?; Is acquisition, development and construction credit becoming more available?; and Are house prices back in line with incomes? There is no charge to attend the 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. webinar at the HBA of Greenville office, however seating is limited. Please click here to register for this event.

Call for Nominations for Association Awards

It is that time of year again for you to recommend a member for our annual Builder of the Year Award and Associate of the Year Award. The awards are given to a Builder member and an Associate member each of whom freely gives of his or her time, efforts and participation in order to make the HBA of Greenville a stronger organization for all of its members. These members serve the industry through participation on HBA Committees and with special projects of the Home Builders Association. Each represents the highest level of integrity and honesty in the home building industry. Below is a list of recent recipients:

Builder of the Year:

• Brad Thompson, 2010
• Todd Usher, 2009
• Rick Quinn, 2008
• Ted Smith, 2007
• Coleman Shouse, 2006
• Ted Smith/Ron Taylor, 2005
• Keith Smith, 2004
• Jim Gregorie, 2003
• Dan Rawls, 2002
• Clyde Rector, 2001
• Bill Fuller, 2000

Associate of the Year:

• Scott Presley, 2010
• Eric Hedrick, 2009
• Chuck Childress, 2008
• Tom Ward, 2007
• Scott Presley, 2006
• Lou Hutchings, 2005
• Richard Powers, 2004
• Sand Wiygul-Bell, 2003
• Robert Murphy, 2002
• Gary Gilliam, 2001
• Richard Powers, 2000

In addition, these awards also may be given to members of the association:

• Community Service Award
• Sales and Marketing Award
• Membership Award
• Spirit of the HBA Award
• Committee Chairman of the Year Award
• Rookie of the Year Award

These awards may be given to a political or community leader:

• Distinguished Service Award
• HBASC Champion of Housing Award

If you know of a member or other person who should receive one of these awards, please send your nomination to Michael Dey at mdey@hbaofgreenville.com.

Call to action: want your voice heard? join an HBA committee

Want your voice heard?  Want to help make your association better, smarter, more relevant?  Join an HBA of Greenville Committee.  Want to know more about our committees?  Click here to review our committee list and download job descriptions.  Want to volunteer?  Simply email Michael Dey at mdey@hbaofgreenville.com and state your committee preference.  Don't want to serve on a committee but still want to volunteer?  Send Michael an email with your areas of interest.  The board forms task forces on a regular basis that handles a specific task and then disbands.  Your association would love to have your help.