Career fair for employers interested in hiring people laid off by the V.C. Summer Nuclear Power Station

Earlier this week SCANA and Santee Cooper, partners in the expansion of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Power Station in Fairfield County, announced they have abandoned the project and will lay off 5,600 workers.  Most of the workers are highly-skilled construction workers with skills that may translate to home building and related trades.

If you are an employer looking for available talent, SC Works Greater Upstate, Spartanburg Small Business Development Center, and SC Works Midlands will host a Trade Skills Career Fair:

• When: Tuesday, August 22, 2017, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. (employer set up begins at 9 a.m.)
• Where: Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church Life Center, 195 Amicks Ferry Road, Chapin, SC 29036

The purpose of this event is to assist employers who have an interest in hiring employees affected by this layoff.  If you are an employer with positions immediately available to be filled, consider participating in this career fair. A limited number of tables are available for employers to participate. 

For more information, contact Michael Dey at mdey@hbaofgreenville.com.

Department of Labor considering revising the contested overtime rule

On December 6, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor issued a new rule changing the salary threshold for exemption from overtime pay from $23,660 to $47,476. The rule was promptly stayed by the courts.  The National Association of Home Builders took a very active role in challenging the rule in court.

President Trump's Secretary of Labor, Alexander Acosta, testified at his Senate confirmation hearing that he would prefer a more modest salary threshold than previously proposed, one that is potentially tied to the rate of inflation.

Last month the Department of Labor issued a request for information on the overtime rule. The National Association of Home Builders will submit comments on the rule, as it did last year when the Obama Administration was considering changing the rule.

The Headlines: August 3, 2017

Ten Home Building industry stories we have read recently:

• Greer CPW to expand infrastructure near GSP. GSA Business.
• Housing demand in the Southeast finds a "new normal." NAHBNow.
• CFPB publishes final "Know Before You Owe" rule. NAHBNow.
• Where are older Millennials going when they leave downtown? Housingwire.
• How the Reedy's water quality is hindering recreation for county residents. Greenville Journal.
• Why isn't the housing market booming the experts expected? NPR.
• A surprising way to increase property values: build affordable housing. The Washington Post.
• Two major lending changes mean it's suddenly easier to get a mortgage. CNBC.
• Appraisers may be holding back the housing market, and that might be ok. Forbes.
• Why Washington can't fix the new housing crisis. Politico.

August 3, 2017.

Welcome New Members: June

Your Home Builders Association welcomes these new members to the association in June:

Summit Solar: Derek Landino, Josh Williams, and Greg Gravelle
NewStyle Communities: Kelly Lew
Deck Masters Contracting: Kyle Marsh
Spectrum Communications: Michelle Higginbotham
Humrickhouse Signature Homes: Lee Humrickhouse

NAHB Chairman Granger MacDonald speaks on housing affordability to U.S. Senate Finance Committee

Granger MacDonald greets Vice President Pence at the White House recently

NAHB Chairman of the Board, Granger MacDonald, yesterday addressed the Finance Committee of the U.S. Senate in a hearing titled "America's Affordable Housing Crisis: Challenges and Solutions."

The focus of the hearing was tax credits for low income housing, but also touched on labor shortages, regulatory burdens, and other issues which impact housing affordability.  South Carolina's Senator Tim Scott questioned MacDonald on the labor shortage issue as it impacts housing affordability.

"We are fortunate that our national chairman, Granger MacDonald, is well versed on the subject of housing affordability," Bob Barreto, President of the HBA of Greenville, said.  "His company has built and manages nearly 5,000 affordable rental housing units in his home state of Texas," Barreto said. "We also were proud to have Granger MacDonald as keynote speaker at our 2016 Annual Meeting."

Click here to view the hearing.  MacDonald's testimony begins at 1:00.30.  Senator Scott's questions of Chairman MacDonald begin at 1:48.00 and continue at 1:51.00.

Meritage Homes names Hahn Greenville Division President

Steve Hahn

Meritage Homes Corporation, an HBA of Greenville member company, announced the appointment of Steve Hahn to Greenville, South Carolina Division President.

In this role, Mr. Hahn is responsible for growing the company’s operations in Greenville. He will oversee the division’s growth strategy and day-to-day operations, including land acquisition and development, home construction, customer service, and sales and marketing.

Mr. Hahn brings more than 18 years of experience in the home building industry, with a consistent track record of improving revenues, providing fiscal planning and leading operations teams in uniquely challenging markets.

Prior to this role, Mr. Hahn served as the Vice President of Land Development for the Phoenix division of Meritage Homes, which is the company’s largest division. His career also includes tenures with Toll Brothers, Lansdowne Development Group, Van Metre Homes and Trilogy Development Group. Mr. Hahn is a graduate of Lehigh University, where he earned his degree in civil engineering.

Jerry Cowan

Jerry Cowan

Our friend and member, Jerry Cowan, died Saturday.  Jerry was the HBA liaison for Builders Mutual Insurance Company.  Jerry was a tireless advocate for Home Builders Associations, was a member of dozens of HBAs in the Carolinas, and served on multiple boards including the National Association of Home Builders.

Details are available here.