Louisville Builder May 2012 by Building Industry Association of Greater Louisville

EnErgy-Saving nEw HomES Program i HomEarama PrEviEw PartiES SEt for July 13tH i grEEn building

tHE offiCial PubliCation of tHE HomE buildErS aSSoCiation of louiSvillE, inC.

volumE 25, no.05 may 2012

2012 Home, Garden & Remodeling Show

Entertained and Educated

Find expanded content and connect with others! www.Facebook.com/HBALouisville

2 louisville builder â&#x20AC;˘ hbal.com

vol. 25, no.05 may 2012

contents

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF LOUISVILLE, INC.

association news 10 One on One with Walt Schumm 12 Energy-Saving New Homes Program is a Driving Force in Communicating Energy Efficiency in Locally-Built New Homes 14 May is National Remodeling Month 16 In Memoriam: Michael Griffin 18 Green Building Casts a Wide Net Over Home Building Industry departments

feature

2012 Home, Garden & Remodeling Show Presented by Window World Entertains and Educates Interested Consumers The Home, Garden & Remodeling Show presented by Window World in March offered participants plenty of opportunities to connect with an enthused public, some of whom have been waiting for just the right time to invest in their home improvement project.

page 6

Perspective Letter...............................5 Member Meetings............................25 Member Recruitment.......................26 Member News..................................27 New Members..................................28 Members Pending............................28 Honor Roll.......................................29 Milestone Members.........................29 Corporate Sponsors..........................29 Calendar of Events...........................30 EnErgy-Saving nEw HomES Program i HomEarama PrEviEw PartiES SEt for July 13tH i grEEn building

tHE offiCial PubliCation of tHE HomE buildErS aSSoCiation of louiSvillE, inC.

volumE 25, no.05 may 2012

2012 Home, Garden & Remodeling Show

Entertained and Educated

events

2012 Homarama Preview Parties

Set for July 13 at Rock Springs and Shakes Run

page 21

products

Truck & Fireplaces Products every member should know about.

page 24

Find expanded content and connect with others! www.Facebook.com/HBALouisville

Cover: 2012 Home Garden & Remodeling Show Sponsors: Davis Boland, Boland Maloney Lumber; Kim & Barry Foster, Window World; Melody Hulse-Shuler, LG&E; Stan Logan, Logan Lavelle Hunt; Darin Niedens, Dish

may 2012 3

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perspectiveletter Home Builders Association of Louisville, Inc.

1000 North Hurstbourne Parkway Louisville, KY 40223-4012 (502) 429-6000 FAX (502) 429-6036 Email: newhomes@hbal.com Web Site: www.hbal.com 2012 OFFICERS Rob Eberenz, Jr. President Bob Thieneman, Jr. Vice President Perry Lyons Treasurer Pat Durham Secretary Stan Logan, Jr. Associate Vice President Charles J. Kavanaugh Executive Vice President BUILDER DIRECTORS Brandon Bailey Greg Burrus Terry Chynoweth Michael Isaac Don Karem P. R. Lancaster David Lurding Jeremy McGraw George Miller Jason Orthober Chris Osborne Rocco Pigneri Mark Simpson Dave Smith

Join us at the 2nd Annual Family Picnic by Chuck kavanaugh

So many of the events that we host at the Association are business-focused where members are able to connect with their customers and develop relationships to cultivate new business. While these types of events are extremely beneficial, and one of the benefits of membership, we also recognize that it’s equally important for our members and their families to have a chance to socialize with other members at Association-sponsored events. Last year we hosted the first annual HBAL Family Picnic to provide this new “networking” opportunity. We found that it was not only a fun way for fellow members to meet one another’s families, but also a great opportunity for members to invite staff and their families to a gathering without having to bother with the time and expense of planning their own company picnic. It really was a great time.

ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS Deborah Bilitski Joe Dumstorf Dave French Dale Hellmann Andrew Holden John Hollenbach Stephanie Horne John Lannert David Mikels David Mindel Teresa Morgan Jeff Ratanapool Joe Simms

HONORARY Builder DIRECTOR

Clifford Thieneman, Sr.

HONORARY associate DIRECTORs Frank Arnold, Sr. Richard Bean PUBLISHER Charles J. Kavanaugh EDITOR Tara Brinkmoeller Advertising Melissa Mattingly Kimberly Greenwell 502.429.6000 GRAPHIC DESIGN Scott Dudgeon Writers Stacy Smith Rogers HBAL Issues Nancy Miller Product Features HBAL Staff PRINTING United Graphics

This year we are hosting the second annual HBAL Family Picnic on June 10th at E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park. We will again have fun activities for the kids (and the kids at heart), great food, a car show of member’s collector cars, games, and a lot of opportunity for enjoying the company of one another. The Family Picnic also turned out to be the perfect venue for the annual Builder versus Associate softball game, which had been played following the Summer Golf Outing in recent years. By hosting the softball game during the picnic, we now have the ability to play on a baseball field and in front of an audience! The picnic location will be next to the field this year and we plan to start the game about one hour prior to the end of the picnic. This highly competitive game is something that you will definitely not want to miss – we have several talented (and serious) softball players within the membership!

I’d personally like to invite you to this year’s Family Picnic and encourage you to not only bring your immediate family, but also invite your extended business family. So much of our industry and business is based on relationships. Relationships strengthen when you are able to share more of yourself with your clients and customers. There is no doubt that the sharing of your family is one of the most personal things you can share with them. It is also important for your family to meet and see the people with whom you interact and share your time with through the Association. Many of our members give tirelessly of their time to the Association which sometimes takes them away from their loved ones. It’s nice for your family to be able to get to know the association and its members so that they too can understand the value of the Association and its role in the community. Please join us on June 10th from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the softball fields of E.P. Tom Sawyer State Park for the second annual HBAL Family Picnic. The cost to attend is only $10 per person and kids under 18 are free. Sponsorships are available for this event, as well as corporate tables for those who wish to secure a picnic bench for their corporate family. Contact Melissa Mattingly or Kimberly Greenwell for sponsorships and Robin Durham to register for this fun event by calling 429-6000. I’ll see you at the Family Picnic!

Charles J. Kavanaugh Executive Vice President Home Builders Association of Louisville may 2012 5

2012 Home, Garden & Remodeling Show ribbon cutting

A large crowd formed before we opened on Saturday.

6 louisville builder â&#x20AC;˘ hbal.com

Is that a train track in the garden?

LG&E giving energy efficiency tips at the show

Some attendees taking a rest at the REM Sleep Solutions booth.

Presenting Sponsor:

Sponsored by:

™

2012 Home, Garden & Remodeling Show Presented by Window World Entertains and Educates Interested Consumers By Stacy Smith Rogers, Grace Communications, LLC

Photos by: Barry Westerman, Louisville Real Estate Photography

The Home, Garden & Remodeling Show presented by Window World in March offered participants plenty of opportunities to connect with an enthused public, some of whom have been waiting for just the right time to invest in their home improvement project. While Friday night’s attendance was low due to the tornadoes that affected parts of Greater Louisville, the Home, Garden & Remodeling Show offered a welcome reprieve from the inclement weather on Saturday and Sunday. Tom Raver, Fireplace Distributors, described his experience, “The show had a definite family feel to it and that was with design. The balloons in the front, the rocking chairs and the dog show were all well received. I also believe that most of the consumers felt like they received a ‘deal’ on the ticket coupons and therefore enjoyed the show more.” Raver said he feels that the show is heading in the right direction and that the exhibitor seminar conducted on how to display their booths was very valuable. “I think that many displays got much better, including mine. It would be great if more people could attend the seminar.” New this year to the Home Show was the Disc-Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show, which proved to be highly popular with attendees. According to HBAL Vice President of Events and Operations Gail Schell, the K-9 event is anticipated to be back at the 2013 event. “The Disc-Connected K-9 Frisbee Dog Show sponsored by Logan Lavelle Hunt was a great addition this year. We discovered that consumers want entertainment just as much as information and education.”

A giant balloon gnome, one of many creations by CJ Nelson of Magical Twist.

may 2012 7

2012 Home, Garden & Remodeling Show

Our presenting sponsor Window World displayed 2 Orange County Choppers and brought in John Andreti on Saturday.

Rob Peterson carving foam was a show stopper at the Graber Insealator’s booth.

Schell referenced the successful floor plan that seemed easy for people to maneuver and find the products and services they were searching. “The Home Show really did take into consideration the topics and trends that consumers show interest for and this helped us create some great small seminar stages.” What’s Planned for Next Year? The Home Show experience enlightened attendees and aided participants in promoting their businesses. The goal of the Home Show to be a must-experience resource for home-related needs in the region. Efforts are underway to make the 2013 event a continued success. HBAL Manager of Events and Shows Jessica Embry said there are plans to build upon the popularity of the dog show to include more exhibits for pet owners. According to Schell, the Garden Market area will be expanded and more local growers of food and landscaping plants will be included as well as the resources people are looking for when trying to build a raised garden bed or even raise chickens. “We also intend to look at the landscape areas and decide if we want to pull them together once again and create a special area that will focus on outdoor living, which would include product booth spaces as well as garden areas. 8 louisville builder • hbal.com

The World Famous Disc-Connected K-9Frisbee Dogs presented by Logan Lavelle Hunt.

2012 Home, Garden & Remodeling Show How Can Members Build Upon Success of 2012 Home Show? Schell advises members to promptly follow-up and talk in depth with leads and to share how they did at the show with the HBAL. “Knowing more about the customer is what we have built this Home Show on. We take the time each year to get feedback from our exhibitors and the more information about the consumer experience the better we can make the Home Show.” In addition, she emphasized staying in front of the consumer year-round through social media prior to next year’s event. Raver recommended that this year’s participants take advantage of the momentum created by the Home Show. “There’s a lot of value placed on a successful client/vendor transaction at an event like this. A positive experience reflects well on all the vendors at the Home Show because consumers will most likely reference their positive experience to others, saying ‘I found company XYZ at the Home, Garden & Remodeling Show and they were great.’ That gives all of the vendors there more credibility.” Raver added that participants can make the most of their experience next year by promoting their involvement in the Home Show during the weeks leading up to the event. For more information about next year’s show, visit louisvillehomeshow.com.

People enjoyed the photo booth sponsored by Boland Maloney.

National Home Show Series Sponsor Dish.

Selling whirlpools at the Covenant Industries booth.

A special thank you to our sponsors: Presenting Sponsor:

Show Sponsor: ™

World Famous Frisbee Dog Stage Sponsor:

Balloon Garden & Photo Booth Sponsor:

Making balloon animals at the Magic Twist booth.

may 2012 9

one one on

with Walt Schumm

Walt Schumm, Registered Builder and Remodelor of the Home Builders Association of Louisville and Oldham County resident is running for Congress in the 4th District. Q: What led you to want to run for Congress? A: I’ve worked in private industry for over 32 years, heavy equipment sales, the managed care industry and for the last 16 years Real Estate Development, construction, and sales as a licensed Realtor. Later you will see that I also serve on the Oldham County Board of Education. It’s that work with our bright, talented and eager to succeed kids that convinced me to run. That coupled with the current prospect of massive government debt and burdensome regulation that for the first time in generations dims their prospects for a better and brighter future than their parents. I believe our generation created this mess and it’s ethically and morally wrong to pass it on. We can fix it and we need to! So I decided to take a shot, after guiding my development and building business through the worst housing market since the great depression and witnessing first hand prolific government regulation, it’s my time to stand and be counted. Q: Do you have any political experience that would have prepared you for this role as Congressman? A: I was elected to the Oldham County Board of Education, now Vice Chairman with about 10 years of service. That was precipitated by proposed new zoning regulations that would have effectively 10 louisville builder • hbal.com

stopped subdivision development and ultimately home building in our county. Subsequently we worked out a manageable plan that included School Board input on the ability of neighborhood schools to handle and plan for the necessary additional capacity. Currently we are responsible for a 110 million dollar balanced budget and over 100 million dollars in building budgets over the last several years. Neighborhood schools and a family atmosphere are top of the list items for prospective new residents! Q: There seems to be a lot of new regulations that have been imposed on industries such as Home Building over the past several years. What is your opinion of regulations as it relates to our industry’s future? A: Frost free anti siphon valves that still need shut off’s, ground fault breakers on essentially every circuit, outlets you can hardly push a plug in, site compliance, inspections, plan reviews, electrical, plumbing, framing, HVAC, energy star, planning and zoning review; Enough already! Next thing you know we’ll have to have the port-a-john inspected. I think you get the point. What does all of this cost, ultimately the consumer, and who looked at that? We need to review regulations every 2 -4 years. Did they do what was intended? Congress also needs to shorten bills, and remain responsible for regulations, not abdicate the responsibility

to unelected bureaucrats whose goals seem to be growing budgets and payroll. Q: In what ways do you believe you can be impactful in Washington if elected? A: Every day of our builder lives we work with people in the community…bankers, lawyers, public officials, vendors, and customers. I can’t think of another business that cuts across that cross-section of our economy. I believe we still represent the American dream; affordable, well- crafted new homes. It’s 32 years of experience working with the public every day, negotiating every final detail to reach a conclusion that is workable, responsible and fiscally sound…those skills are transferable! Secondly, work tirelessly to rollback meaningless and over reactive regulation. Perhaps we should work on a cost benefit analysis of a new regulation before we jump in and strap business with more to do. Q: The district in which you are running is quite large and now includes portions of Jefferson and Spencer Counties, as well as all of Oldham and Shelby Counties of the HBAL jurisdiction. In your opinion, what is the most important information that your HBAL member constituents should know about you? A: I’ve operated my Development and construction businesses through the worst economy since the great depression and we

survived by reducing overhead and scaling back operations, adding more value for a lower cost, and squeezing every nickel. Don’t you think our government should have to operate like that? Q: In what ways are you fundraising? A: Lots of phone calls, personal visits, group fundraisers, Our website, voteschumm.com and hopefully an appealing message! Q: What are you most passionate about outside of those issues on which you are campaigning? A: My wife, family and church, boating, hunting and fishing with the kids Q: If elected, what do you plan to conduct as your first order of business as a Congressman? A: Find Representative Paul Ryan and have a thorough briefing on his budget plan that passed the House. I’d like to see how funding under his budget, impacts regulatory agencies. Then dig into current EPA, D.O.E. and similarly situated agency budgets and see what can be cut to slow the prolific issuance of new regulations. Then, perhaps, start building relationships with key leaders to begin work on further deregulation.

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Q. What things can we as small businesses do to help your campaign? A: We need all the support and help we can get, not just fiscal, but volunteers to put out signs, operate email chains, use and like our social media. Visit us @ voteschumm.com to learn more. Q: Is deductibility of the Mortgage Interest Deduction important to you? If so, why? A: You bet. It’s the one thing we all still get to use. It’s still a substantial help to homebuyers at all levels. Most homeowners understand the value of a responsible mortgage plan. Many people rely on it to offset owed tax at the end of the year. Without this benefit, we reduce buying power and send more money to Washington, effectively an automatic tax increase. Real Estate is cyclical. It’s rebounding slowly but I believe we have much brighter days ahead. I will work to help our members as much as possible. Economists estimate the GDP impact of home building at 15-18 percent annually. It’s no wonder the economy is sluggish… talk about a free market stimulus… LET’S MOVE AMERICA FORWARD AND BUILD NEW HOMES!

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Standard New Home

100 90 80

This Home

70 60

Energy-Saving New Homes Program is a 50 Driving Force in Communicating Energy Efficiency in Locally-Built 40 New Homes By Stacy Smith Rogers, Grace Communications, LLC

The new Energy-Saving New Homes Program created by LG&E and KU is gaining speed as a driving force that steers local homeowners toward realizing the benefits of investing in energy efficient products and services – the kind that newly built homes can offer. Commonly referred to as the “HERS Label” home option, the program follows the RESNET Home Energy Rating System (HERS) Index, which is a recognized industry standard by which a home’s energy efficiency is measured. Certified RESNET Home Energy Raters conduct inspections on the homes to verify their energy performance and determine what improvements can be made to increase it. The new option was created in lieu of the ENERGY STAR® branding option, which currently is more expensive due to recent standards revisions.

Zero Energy Home

“Builders may secure HERS label or ENERGY STAR yard signs through their rater. These signs are provided at no charge by LG&E and offer a performance scale much like a miles per gallon label on a car.” – Bill Cooper

According to Bill Cooper, Energy Efficiency Program manager for LG&E and KU, many builders continue to build ENERGY STARqualified homes as the premium product, keeping the option open for custom and premium home construction, but they appreciate the new Energy-Saving New Homes Program option. He explained, “LG&E is proud to offer Kentucky builders options to distinguish their service, and leverage customer satisfaction. Builders may secure HERS label or ENERGY STAR yard signs through their rater. These signs are provided at no charge by LG&E and offer a performance scale much 12 louisville builder • hbal.com

like a miles per gallon label on a car.” According to Cooper, the signs can be labeled to the specific performance of the home, further distinguishing each home’s energy performance from other nonHERS labeled or ENERGY STAR qualified homes. Cooper explained how the process benefits homebuyers. “Thermal enclosures are inspected as are HVAC installation and performance features. Raters are working with builders to target the desired energy-saving home performance and reduce overall utility costs. The HERS Index scoring system offers a consistent measure of performance to compare between HERS label, ENERGY STAR and code performance homes so homebuyers are given opportunities to make the smart energy choice for them.” Shawn Purcell, MetroFirst, is a rater who is very familiar with the HERS label. Purcell said that the average home he rates scores at 65. When compared with the 130 score that most similar existing homes measure, Purcell said that it doesn’t take long for the savings to justify the investment in building an energy efficient home. He cited the HERS label as a positive for the industry and a cost-effective way for builders to keep building energy efficient homes and effectively communicate those savings to homebuyers. “Previously, when a client heard that it was going to cost him $5,000 more to make his home more energy efficient, he used to just consider how much more a month that’s going to cost him a month on his mortgage. Now, builders are able to demonstrate that he’ll actually be saving more in energy costs each month. The HERS scoring helps consumers realize how much more valuable an energy efficient home is.” Purcell commended LG&E for continuing the rebates to builders on a sliding scale. “The better the HERS score, the better the rebate. For a home that scores a 60, that means $900 for the builder. That’s $300 more than it used to be. That helps when you’re trying to keep the client’s costs down. Originally, we were a little worried when the

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Less Energy

ENERGY STAR requirements were changed. The Energy-Saving New Homes Program has motivated builders to continue offering their clients homes that are energy efficient at a cost they can afford.” What are Builders Saying About the Energy-Saving New Homes Program? “The rating should allow homebuyers to search for a home that has a particular rating similar to the way you look for MPG when looking for a car,” said HBAL Vice President Bob Thieneman, R.J. Thieneman Realty. “It will be especially important to them when they start paying those energy bills and when they go to sell their home and they can show documented ratings and lower energy bills. In some cases, they should be able to qualify for a more expensive home, given the additional money in their pocket due to the HERSrated energy smart home.”

HERS® Index 150

Existing Homes

140 130 120

Standard New Home

110 100 90 80

This Home

70 60

“The new HERS label program allows a builder to practice effective management skills of the energy envelope of the home without going to extremes of content and cost.”

50 40 30 20

– Pat Durham “We are excited about the new HERS labeling because it really help buyers understand the difference between various homes that all claim to be energy efficient,” said Clay Jones, The Jones Group. “With the ENERGY STAR program the difference is distinguished using a star rating. The more stars the more efficient the home, but I don’t think that really means anything to a buyer. The HERS label gives you a hard number to be able to distinguish one home from another, and that number is easily relatable to what your actual utility costs will be with each home.” HBAL Secretary Pat Durham, Pat Durham Builder, said he feels that the new program is a much more affordable way to achieve energy efficiency than some of the more stringent programs. “The new HERS label program allows a builder to practice effective management skills of the energy envelope of the home without going to extremes of content and cost.” Durham explained how he communicates that value of the energy efficent home to buyers. “Maximizing insulation thickness/ effectiveness with a foam, caulk and seal program can be done effectively and if done right, will not add that much cost to the home. High efficiency dual-fuel furnaces and energy efficient air conditioners, along with energy efficient water heaters and appliances, when added to an efficient insulation envelope, will pay for themselves very quickly in overall cost savings. If you want to take it up another notch, foam insulation will allow you maximum efficiency with regards to air infiltration, and though you will pay more up front for materials and installation, the payback will be there fairly quickly as well. Once you recoup your initial investment, it is as good as having money in the bank.” Rocky Pusateri, Elite Homes, also emphasized the role that energy costs play in family finances. “Outside of a mortgage loan, the highest cost of homeownership is energy. This program shows the energy savings (based on current rates) a person could expect much like a miles per gallon sticker on a car. It makes sense for a buyer to know that information before making an investment.” Pusateri

More Energy

Zero Energy Home

10 0

Less Energy New HERS® Label example

noted that Elite Homes switched to the HERS Label Program when the new regulations for ENERGY STAR 3.0 were changed. “The new program is basically the same as the original ENERGY STAR program prior to the revised standards.” Pusateri noted that most of the homes that Elite Homes is building under the HERS Label Program are rated at least 50% more energy efficient than standard existing homes. As a communication vehicle about the value of energy efficiency, the new LG&E program has the potential to drive more on-thefence buyers to consider the real value of investing in a newly built home. For more information on the program, visit lge-ku.com. Why the Energy-Saving New Home Option? Builders now have an option when building energy efficient homes. They can continue on the path of building to ENERGY STAR requirements or they can choose to build an EnergySaving New Home. According to local experts, both options are very attractive, but the new program recognizes those consumers who want to build efficiently without getting too far out of their price range. RESNET retains complete oversight of the national rater network and recently began its branding effort to support the HERS label new home movement. Builders may secure additional regional and national exposure by going to the RESNET Website, resnet.us/professional, and sign-up as an EnergySmart builder. may 2012 13

May is National Remodeling Month By Stacy Smith Rogers, Grace Communications, LLC

May is National Remodeling Month -- appropriately selected as spring is the season of renewal. Amidst the May flowers and Run for the Roses, the spotlight shines among HBAL members who work hard to assist homeowners in remodeling environments that are up-to-date with technology, energy efficiency, modern designs and more functional and safe living spaces. Remodelers play an important role in the local construction industry and most certainly within HBAL. Like builders, remodelers have faced challenges during the economic slowdown. Many have diversified to provide a broader range of services that better serve their clients’ specific needs. Some homeowners are choosing to adapt their home to fit their current lifestyles. Others are making improvements to enhance their home’s marketability in the future. Remodelers today need to be armed with solutions to homeowners’ unique needs, whether it’s aging in place renovations, increasing energy efficiency or simply making their home more functional. It’s no secret that many homeowners are facing tough questions in today’s market, and for some, remodeling their current home makes sense. HBAL’s Remodelor’s Council is comprised of remodeling experts who can answer those tough questions. For more information about finding local remodelers, visit hbal.com. 14 louisville builder • hbal.com

What are Local Homeowners Asking of Remodelers? Joe French, Louisville Handyman, described what he’s being asked to do to improve or enhance efficiency in existing homes? “We regularly do energy retrofits to improve the efficiency of existing homes. This includes air sealing, insulating, weather stripping, replacing skylights, etc... These projects can range from a few hours to a few weeks depending upon the need and budget. On a recent project, we achieved a reduction of more than 20 percent of air loss after the retrofit. That has made the home much more comfortable as well as energy efficient.” Jeff Smith, Insuramax Contractors, said that clients are commonly asking for higher efficiency HVAC systems. “Homeowners also want options on insulation. We have a few conversations regarding energy effiecient lighting, LED, CFL, etc ... I feel like most of these alternative choices made by homeowners are driven by operating cost, not by a drive to be more ‘green.’ The more we can educate our clients on new trends, the more interested they will become.” French noted trends that he believes are encouraging homeowners to remodel. “With people staying in their houses, we are getting more requests to remodel bathrooms, kitchens and basements. We have also seen an uptick in our handyman service with getting houses ready to go

on the market or addressing issues to allow sales to go through.” Smith said he believes the popularity of the DIY and home improvement television programs gets people excited about working on their homes. “The outdoor kitchen/fire circle/screen porch trend has helped us, along with the early warm weather. It has pushed people to call us regarding outdoor projects that may have usually been pushed off until summer.” Smith also noted his impression that banks seem to be lending more, which is improving his business. On the National Level According to NAHB, energy efficiency is the most popular reason why consumers choose a green remodeling project. The U.S. has approximately 125 million single-family homes, the majority built before energy efficiency developments, suggesting a huge market for green remodeling.

How big is green remodeling on the national level?

According to NAHB ... • 91% of remodelers use energy efficient windows. • 87% of remodelers surveyed by NAHB already incorporate low-emmisivity windows into their projects. • 86% install Energy Star®-rated appliances. • 72% of consumers report energy efficient features in a home would. influence their purchase decision. • 70% upgrade existing insulation. • 70% of remodelers already incorporate recycled or recyclable materials into their projects. • 61% of consumers would spend more than $5,000 upfront to save on utility costs. • 60% install argon gas windows.

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Industry News for Remodelers HBAL remodelers can stay up-to-date on industry news through NAHB’s online newletter, ReNews. Remodelers can keep up with current issues affecting their businesses, including developments with the Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012, which could amend the Lead: Renovation, Repair, and Painting rule (RRP). Information on the growing trend of renovation loans is also offered, such as the FHA 203k program and the Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation Mortgage that allow homeowners to borrow money based off their home’s future value after the improvements have been made. To read a current issue, visit nahbenew.com/nahbrenew.

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may 2012 15

In Memoriam

Michael Griffin By Nancy Miller

Michael Griffin, former president of the Home Builders Association of Louisville, died March 25 after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Throughout his career, Mike built single family homes, apartments and office buildings. Also, he routinely served as a mentor to several young builders. Last year he was presented The John W. Robinson Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extraordinary dedicated service to the HBAL and the housing industry. His involvement with the Association includes his contributions to the Registered Builder and Social Responsibility Committees and the 1996 Search Committee for a new Executive Vice President. He was chairman of the 1981 Homearama at Old Dorsey Place and was chair of the 1983 and 1986 Homearama Site Selection Committees. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the Association as the advisor to Presidents Bob Marrett in 1996 and to Bob Welch in 1997. He also served as vice chairman of the Land Development and Codes Committee, and was vice chairman of the Home, Garden and Flower Show. Mike earned Senior Life Director Status with the National Association of Home Builders. In 2008 he was named Honorary Member of the Home Builders Association of Louisville. Other notable achievements included receiving the Builder of the Year Award in 1996 and earning Realtor Emeritus status at the National Association of Realtors for 40 consecutive years of service. This year he earned 50 Year Member status of the Greater Louisville Association of Realtors. While his professional accomplishments are many, his character and personal attributes further define him as an exceptional individual. “My parents and Mike go way back. He knew them before I was born. I started working for him when I was 13 years old. We became business partners at one point. He always acted like a grandfather and was never short on advice. He took everyone’s interest to heart,” says Dan Smith of Stonelake Homes. “He knew every subcontractor’s name and would inquire about their wife and kids. It wasn’t strictly business with him. He had a big heart. But he could really read people. If a person wasn’t a good person, he wouldn’t be on Mike’s job. He was also very particular about clients. If he didn’t get a good vibe from someone, he wouldn’t build for them. He selected clients as much as they selected him. He also knew quality when he saw it. I can go through older subdivisions and tell you which houses he built because there is a certain character about them. Although he was enormously talented, he wasn’t mechanically inclined. After we had moved into an office building, he was trying to hang a picture but was hammering the nail with his shoe. I said, ‘Gee, Mike, there are hammers for that.’ But he couldn’t hold a hammer,” laughs Smith. “Mike was one of the first builders I met when I got into the real estate business in the late ‘70s. He was fair, honest, responsible, and very detail oriented in everything he did. He was an outstanding builder and person. I knew the family for whom he had built one house. They were so impressed that he would stop by, ring the bell and asked if anything needed to be done to the home. He realized how 16 louisville builder • hbal.com

important it was for the customer to be satisfied,” says Bob Marrett, of CMB Development Company. “I chose him to be my advisor for the year I was president of HBAL. He was extremely valuable and a great person to bounce ideas off. He exhibited what some people call conscious competence. He had a quiet confidence about him but was modest. He was a class act in every way and will be sorely missed by all who knew him,” continues Marrett. HBAL Executive Vice President Chuck Kavanaugh’s personal and professional relationship with Mike started when Chuck was interviewing for his current position. “Mike felt very strongly about the Association and realized it was an important position. I could tell by the questions he asked that he had a lot of family ties within the Association. We got to know each other well. He was always part of my life at HBAL,” says Chuck. “Mike was never without advice and I was eager to receive it. In an organization with 2,000 members you’re constantly thinking about new things to do but you have to understand the past in order to make changes. He helped me understand the past but wasn’t afraid to make changes. However, he continually looked for the consequences of those changes. That was a sign of a good mentor for me and the sign of a good leader. If he wasn’t happy with something I did, he let me know, but not in a demeaning manner. I appreciated that approach. He wasn’t someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve, but he was very positive and happy. He was a guy who always found a way to get things done without offending a lot of people,” adds Chuck. Sid Anderson, of S. J. Anderson Builders, went to high school and college with Mike. “He got out of college before I did, and called me while I was in the Navy. He said, ‘Sid, if you can send me $250 we can go into the building business together.’ It didn’t take much to start a business in 1963 but I probably didn’t have it. We went into business together anyway. He always held up his end of the partnership. If it required extra work, he could be counted on to do it. Not only were we business partners on two different occasions, we were best friends practically all our lives. “Mike was a nice, nice person. He was somewhat reserved and, in a personal sense, was unflappable. He approached everything in a positive way. I knew him since the early ‘70s and can’t recall one time he approached anything in a negative way. He took everything in stride, including his last couple of years with cancer,” says Tom Sturgeon of Sturgeon & Associates. Having been in the industry about 50 years, I don’t think there was a thing he hadn’t dealt with, but most people wouldn’t know the scope of what he had done because he wasn’t one to brag. If you asked him for help or advice, he was certainly willing to give it, but if he didn’t share your conclusion, he would present it in a subtle and never argumentative way. Not only did I do business with him, but we were friends. He was a delightful guy. The industry has lost a really great man,” Sturgeon says.

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may 2012 17

Green Building Casts a Wide Net Over Home Building Industry By Nancy Miller

APPLIANCES

Tom Cadarette, Sales Representative Bonnycastle Appliance and TV Customers’ interest in green living depends on where they live. For example, those in the Highlands are very energy conscious and are specific about green appliances. Green living is being driven more by the mandates given to manufacturers than by customers. But due to the new regulatory compliances that manufacturers have to meet, green technology is used as part of a sales tool, giving the opportunity to explain how going green can actually lead to saving money over time.

For a home appliance to have an Energy Star rating, it has to use water and electricity and have a compressor. So, washers, dishwashers and refrigerators are the three biggies, although hot water heaters and products of that nature also come into the picture. Currently there is no Energy Star rating for clothes dryers, but products other than appliances, such as televisions, can have the Energy Star rating. Are Energy Star products still more of a premium price? Yes, but the variable is a lot less than it was three or four years ago. 18 louisville builder • hbal.com

Linda Dumstorf, Owner The Trend Companies of Louisville There are individual clients that are specifically energy conscious but most of the time clients are waiting for us to tell them about products being energy efficient. Most of them like to hear that they can conserve energy and natural resources but, to be honest, the large percentage of people don’t come in requesting products that contribute to green living. One of the biggest and most important products for green building is GE’s GeoSpring hybrid water heater that is now being produced at Appliance Park. It is Energy Star qualified and saves an average of $320 a year because it consumes up to 62% less energy than a standard water heater. The water heater combines energy saving heat pump technology with traditional electric elements using a fraction of the energy. Induction is far more efficient than gas and certainly more efficient than radiant electric cooking. It’s a very high performing product with excellent results. I’ve been told by a number of manufacturers that induction cooktops and ranges are programming to be one of the first cooking products that could be Energy Star. Seventy percent of cooking in Europe is done on induction. Some

Green Building Canadian colleagues told me that approximately 30% of cooking in Canada has moved over to induction. Demand for it has started to grow more and more in the United States although many people are still not familiar with it. There’s really no downside to induction, and it’s available in free-standing and slide-in versions. The United States is also following the lead of Europe in clothes care. The percentage of sales of front load washers is increasing daily because they’re so much more energy efficient than standard top loan machines. Front load washers require a small amount of water and energy because they operate from 1,000 to 1,300 rpms. Clothes are almost dry when they come out of the washer, which reduces the drying energy. I believe dishwashers made in the United States are starting to follow Europe’s lead, where there is not a heating element for drying in a dishwasher. Instead, drying is accomplished by a condensate fan system. Those dishwashers get a much higher energy rating because the heating element is one of the most energy hogging pieces in a dishwasher. Also, the European models have a nice filter system versus the noise and extra energy that it takes to use a built-in garbage disposal in the dishwasher. French door refrigerators are slowly but surely taking over the market because, unlike side-by-sides, they have the capacity to hold large items such as a turkey or pizza box. The new GE French door units exceed Energy Star standards and are the first bottom freezers in the U.S. to use cyclopentane foam. The foam reduces greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing and at the end of the product’s life cycle. In addition to dispensing water and crushed ice, GE is going to have an instant hot water dispenser in a totally isolated system on its French door refrigerators. That’s a first! BUILDING TO CODES AND STANDARDS

Chris Zitelli, Owner Ecos Materials and Services The most challenging thing for builders is to figure out whether they can afford to build to the increasingly stringent Energy Star standards. At one point, more than 25% of new homes in Kentucky were Energy Star labeled, but I think at the end of this year it will be dramatically lower. We’ve pushed the new energy codes back pretty far. The rumor, or unofficial word, is that we’re looking at October of this year to start enforcing the 2009 energy codes for residential construction. Energy Star has always been written to be about 15% better than code. If a new house is started today, it has to go through Energy Star Version 3 which is 15% better than the 2009 code. So that leap from existing code to the new Energy Star standard is significant. All of the largest national builders are switching to the HERS Index because of costs. LG&E and KU have some incentive programs and they have introduced a complimentary program that offers incentives based on a HERS Index. The Energy Star labels add some costs to the program, but I think they’re a goal. There are many builders and developers that are looking at alternative programs to demonstrate increased performance, such as the NAHB Green Standard. Some of those programs allow other energy performance paths for minimum requirements that aren’t necessarily Version 3 standards yet. I have projects where we did an

evaluation, or feasibility, of the programs and decided they would use a green building certification rather than Energy Star. Part of the reasoning behind that is that Energy Star Version 3 is requiring measures beyond energy performance. For example, builders now have a water management checklist and they have to verify that they have taken additional measures for waterproofing and flashing and other moisture management measures which are increasingly important as we make our houses tighter. Over the last ten or 20 years, houses were built tight but moisture wasn’t accounted for. So, the houses wouldn’t dry out as they would have in the past. Seeing that, there are some additional measures in place to address a variety of problems. A lot of programs are trying to do the right thing and are focusing on some real construction issues. For a builder who really wants to differentiate himself, it’s a good idea to have a third party address more than just the energy efficiency of the home, and to take into consideration things such as durability and maintainability. FLOORING

Tim Henson, President and CEO America’s Floor Source At least half of the people who come into our showrooms prefer to find a product that falls into the green category. Being green doesn’t have to mean that the product will cost more; the price generally isn’t the concern. People “want what they want” when it comes to the flooring for their home. And when it comes to going green, they usually want to do the right thing. The flooring industry is trying to be as green as possible, from manufacturers all the way to the end user. We’re looking for products that are sustainable and are exploring ways to recycle older products into ecofriendly ones. Instead of taking the carpet we remove from a home to a landfill or dump, we now put it into a semitrailer and ship it back to the manufacturer where it’s sorted by fiber type. Most of the carpets can be reused. The pad, metal transition strips and the plastic that the carpet is wrapped in can usually be recycled as well. Carpet is being made out of several innovative things such as plastic pop bottles. Mohawk makes their carpet with corn. The quality is as good as it ever has been even though what goes into new carpet is very different today. The new carpets are more stain resistant and, in most cases, more durable than ever. Most new homes have a designated area for an exercise room. We’re seeing a great deal of rubber flooring in those spaces. The rubber is often made out of old car tires. Car and truck tires are a real problem for landfills and rivers. It’s pretty exciting when manufacturers grind up tires to make rubber matting. Reclaiming hardwood from barns and older homes is being remilled and reused for new flooring, and it’s gorgeous. Companies that specialize in this are sprouting up all over the United States. There’s really an art to it, and the wood has to be quarantined because of insects. Reclaiming wood is quite a process but it beats the heck out of cutting down trees. Bamboo, most commonly from China, is widely becoming recognized as a great alternative to oak, maple, birch, beech or hickory. Bamboo is ecofriendly because it’s grass, not wood, and can be cut to the stock instead of having to be replanted. Bamboo will may 2012 19

Green Building “One of the primary benefits of spray foam is that it reduces energy costs of new houses by as much as 50%. It allows homeowners to downsize their HVAC unit sometimes by as much as 25%” - Eric Jones back grow on its own, but if a tree is cut down, it’s gone forever. And it takes a lot of trees to do the floor of an average house. New forestry laws are having a major impact on harvesting wood. A few years ago there was an influx of wood coming from Brazil or other South American countries. Brazilian cherry was the most popular. But now it’s hard to find, and if it’s available, it’s triple in price. Luxury vinyl tile has become a huge flooring category during the past couple of years, partly due to the fact that it is made from 100% recycled materials. LVT looks absolutely beautiful and can mimic hardwood, ceramic or stone. Many people who come into the store can’t tell the difference because the quality is so high. No adhesive is required; the tiles simply click together like a laminate floor. The lack of adhesive is advantageous for people with allergies or breathing problems. Basically waterproof, it’s an excellent choice for a laundry or mud room, or for a basement that could have a flooding problem. And customers love that the price is about half that of ceramic or hardwood. HVAC

Doug Thomas, Residential Sales Manager Koch Air There’s definitely a continued increase in the efficiency of air conditioning and heating equipment. Last year Carrier introduced the Greenspeed variable speed heat pump, the most efficient heat pump on the market today. It adjusts the amount of energy it’s using for heating or cooling based on the demand in the home. It’s new technology and is in the stage in which early adapters are buying it. We’re seeing real positive results in reduced energy costs and improved comfort in the home. Carrier also has a new variable speed 98% efficient gas furnace that works much the same way as the heat pump, controlling the amount of gas it burns based on the need in the living space. INSULATION

Eric Jones, President Louisville Spray Foam One of the primary benefits of spray foam is that it reduces energy costs of new houses by as much as 50%. It allows homeowners to downsize their HVAC unit sometimes by as much as 25%, thereby reducing energy usage and costs. In addition, spray foam insulation contributes to cleaner air in the home because dust, pollen and pollutants aren’t being pulled into the house from outside. For remodels, each case is different depending on how much insulation is done. One homeowner told us that the insulation we installed on the roof deck and rim joists is resulting in a 22% savings on energy bills. It’s important to remember that insulation can be performed on an extensive basis or on a more limited application, to fit individual budgets. 20 louisville builder • hbal.com

The upfront cost of spray foam insulation is greater than that of fiberglass or cellulose, but the benefit of spray foam is its ability to function as a more efficient air sealer. The R value is measured in a lab with no outside influences. When air goes through fibrous insulation, the R value drops way down, but with foam insulation, the R value doesn’t change.

Dave Mikels, President Graber Insealators There have been a few very important developments in insulation. Injection foam is one of them. It can be injected into the outside walls of existing houses. Remodeling projects often include energy upgrades, and injectable foam makes a lot of sense in many of those situations, especially for homes that have no insulation in the outside walls. You’d be surprised at the number of homes in Louisville that lack such insulation. Finally there are low expansion foams that are water based. Formerly, there would be a lot of dry wall damage because of foam expanding, but the new foam is already fully expanded when it comes out of the gun. The only pressure is the air pressure we use to push it into the wall. Another advantage is that if the foam seeps out of outlets or around baseboards, it can be cleaned up like latex paint. A big innovation is the new thermal image cameras that show exactly where the foam has gone into the wall because the foam is warm. It’s like taking an X-ray of the house. The cameras enable us to ensure that we have the wall 100% full of foam. The cameras are much cheaper now, so it’s a lot more cost effective to use them in this process. Also significant in the industry is performance testing of homes. Before we do anything, we do a blower door test. We depressurize the house, and then scan the entire house with the thermal image cameras to determine where the insulation problems are before we do any work. An analogy is that a dentist doesn’t start drilling on the tooth until the drill is in the right space. People may know they need insulation but don’t know where. In reality, they may not need it everywhere. The tests give a road map so they know where to spend their money. We can also go back after work has been done to be sure it’s been done correctly. The accountability that’s now available is a great thing for customers. I love to refer people to third party testing companies. All they’re selling are tests, no products. They have an unbiased opinion based on the data. And, after the work has been completed, they can verify it. INTERIOR DESIGN

Lisa Knight, Owner Lisa Lynn Design Services Flooring is a huge green element. Using reclaimed wood and renewable resources such as bamboo are great ways to go green! Reclaimed wood and paint left on pieces of furniture (an urban distressed look) are very popular. Heavy, hearty wood furnishings

Green Building look terrific and can take the abuse of an active, busy family. Recycled metal is being used for really creative barstools, cocktail tables and other home furnishings. An easy and good looking way to be green is to buy used furniture or update existing furniture by repainting, slip covering or reupholstering for a completely new look. Blinds and drapery panels can be very green friendly. The fabrics have UV protection that minimizes sun damage to floors and furniture and reduces heating and air bills. Innovative products can tint windows to reduce heat without making the windows appeared tinted. Everything in a home décor doesn’t have to match, so throwing in an old repainted, antique or reupholstered piece can add interest and excitement to a room. They can be wonderful conversation pieces and may even have sentimental meaning. UTILITIES

Liz Pratt, Public Relations Specialist LG&E and KU Our Energy-Savings New Homes Program was created in 2008 as part of our energy efficiency portfolio program to help educate builders, customers and industry leaders about how to build a more energy efficient home. The goal is to help spur energy efficient home construction, to generate consumer interest in these homes, and to educate consumers about the benefits of the homes within every part of the city, service territory and with every price in mind. The program has grown each year. Since February 2009, within our service territories, we have helped encourage the construction of about 2,400 homes in the program. They are all Energy Star qualified. In addition, in 2011 the program expanded to also recognize HERS labeled homes. In the last year, nearly 75 homes have received the HERS certification. These homes that are built within our service territory must exceed the state standards, the Kentucky Home Construction Building Codes, by 15% or more. We set strict energy efficiency requirements within our program and also through third party qualification by energy raters. That includes passing inspections throughout each step of construction and receiving a HERS Index rating. We also recognize Energy Star qualified homes. They must also integrate the strict energy requirements set by the EPA and Department of Energy. One of the advantages to builders who participate in the program is that we offer technical training classes. Each course is designed for a specific group of individuals in the home construction industry. We also offer financial incentives to help offset the costs when including more energy efficient features during home construction.

Kelley Dearing Smith, Manager for Strategic Communications Louisville Water Company Our retrofit irrigation meter can be a very economical approach for people with extensive landscaping. The meter measures the water that’s used for irrigation; there are no sewer charges for that water. After a couple of years the meter pays for itself. In 1996 the Louisville Water Company trademarked what comes out of the faucet and named it Louisville Pure Tap. We wanted to promote the great value, taste and quality of our water. It has evolved

into a community outreach program. The green story is that you don’t have to buy bottled water! Also important to living green is that our plant in Prospect uses riverbank filtration. It undergoes less chemical treatment, is a cleaner source of water, takes less energy to produce, and it remains at a constant temperature of about 55 degrees. WINDOWS

Kim Foster, President Window World of Louisville Building and living green is starting to be more of a conscious effort and growing trend. Not everyone’s mind set is there yet. But if they’re not into the environmental angle of green, they’re into saving money. And many times energy efficient products are cost effective. Once they learn that our energy saving products can save them money, they’re much more interested in living green! The selection of vinyl windows over less energy efficient window frames can lead to major cost savings. Also, multiple layer, Low-E glass used in SolarZone insulated glass packages is nearly 75% more energy efficient than a clean insulated glass package. Vinyl can be reprocessed and recycled repeatedly, so scrap from our manufacturing process is recycled into other vinyl products. The durability of uPVC also creates an environmental advantage. The longer a product lasts, the less energy and other resources must be utilized to make replacement products. Our warm-edge spacer systems are up to 16 degrees warmer at the edge of the insulated glass unit, making them more efficient than standard metal spacers. This reduces condensation, which leads to mold and an unhealthy environment. The reduced maintenance required by our windows means no painting, staining or stripping, all of which can contribute to atmospheric pollutant levels. ENERGY EDUCATION

Kelly Doyle, Operations Manager The Energy Pros Many people have the misperception that geothermal is too expensive. Geothermal systems may qualify for a tax credit. To learn more about the tax credits, visit www.dsireusa.org or www.energystar.gov. It is important to install properly sized HVAC equipment for maximum efficiency, comfort and air quality. An energy audit will offer suggestions by a third party on what will be the best bang for the buck along with the best return on investment. Some of the best return on investments may be the easiest fixes in a home: weather-stripping, air sealing, and insulation. Some cabinets, plumbing fixtures, HVAC systems, appliances less than 10 years old, windows, doors and various types of equipment may be able to be recycled at Habitat Restore (www.louisvillerestore.com.).

may 2012 21

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Get an Insider’s Sneek Peak at Homearama 2012 Preview Parties Set for July 13 at Rock Springs and Shakes Run By Stacy Smith Rogers, Grace Communications, LLC

Plans for this year’s Homearama are in full swing at both Rock Springs and Shakes Run developments and HBAL Members can catch a sneak preview of the homes to be on display Friday, July 13. The Homearama Preview Parties will be held 6-8:30 p.m. at each location. They’re open to HBAL members and special guests. Tickets are $50 and include admission to both locations. They are available at the HBAL office by calling 429-6000 or emailing Jessica Embry at jessica@hbal.com. Tickets must be purchased prior to the party because PREVIEW PARTY TICKETS CANNOT BE PURCHASED AT THE EVENT. Early ticket purchases are encouraged. About Shakes Run Shakes Run makes its third appearance as a Homearama site this year with seven home sites on display. Developed by Steve Canfield, Canfield Development, Shakes Run is located off Shelbyville Road on

Fisherville Road in Eastwood. Joe and Rocky Pusateri are managing the lots located in the section where Homearama will be featured. The variety of architectural elevations combined with the out-in-thecountry experience and green spaces make Shakes Run a natural draw for today’s consumers. About Rock Springs Developed by R.J. Thieneman, Rock Springs makes its debut in this year’s Homearama with ten sites on display. Rock Springs is conveniently located near shopping, dining and recreation. The Summit and Old Brownsboro Crossing are just a short drive on Highway 22. A beautiful nature trail and a much sought-after location contribute to the appeal for homes in Rock Springs. For more information about Homearama, visit homearama.com.

LLC

may 2012 23

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Caterpillar and Whayne Supply have just introduced the new Class 8 vocational truck, the CT660. With models from 330 to 475 horsepower, this sleek workhorse is ideal for dump trucks, concrete mixers, waste carriers or all around hauling. It is backed by legendary Whayne Supply product support. Call Todd Cunningham, (502-303-6825) in the Whayne Power Systems Division for information on this new truck or to do a ride and drive.

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You or your customer can sit back and enjoy the comforts of a warm fireplace at the convenience of your fingertips. With the ease of a remote you can control the flame and when you have to leave the house or go to sleep, you can simply turn it off. To see how you can transform your house or your clients visit Fireplace Distributors at 5810 Fern Valley Road or call 502-964-5996. For more information visit our website; www.FireplacesForYou.com.

24 louisville builder â&#x20AC;˘ hbal.com

membermeetings Sales & Marketing Meeting

SHELBY COUNTY COUNCIL

Bob Marrett, Co-Chairment of Shelby County Council; Clay Cottongin of Shelby County Parks (speaker), Jeff Ratanapool of Century Mortgage (sponsor), & Chuck Kavanugh of HBAL Sponsors Century Mortgage & Dominion Homes pictured with Pat Durham (SMC Chairmen) & Tim Jones (speaker).

ActionCOACH Tim Jones

ActionCOACH Tim Jones spoke to the Sales & Marketing Council on March 15th. Tim gave some great pointers as to how anyone in business today can succeed – in both their life and their business. SMC Chairman Pat Durham said, “This was certainly a primer to having a positive outlook on the year ahead and making each day successful.” The next SMC Meeting is April 19th at the Rock Springs Homearama Site. For more information call the HBAL Office at 4296000 or e-mail gail@hbal.com.

March 6, 2012 Sponsored by: Century Mortgage Company The council met at Claudia Sanders to hear speaker, Clay Cottongim, Director of Parks & Recreation for the Shelby County Parks. Clay has worked diligently over 12 years to secure the funds and oversee the construction of a new 40,000 plus sq. ft. Family Activity Center at a cost of $5.6 million. He oversees 15 full-time and as many as 250 parttime and seasonal employees as well as over 250 acres of parkland and facilities. The parks operate with a $2.8 million budget which 70% is derived through fees and charges. Clay said the goal is to secure more land around Clear Creek Park to add dog parks, nature trails, nature center, sports fields and courts. They are also working on the Shelby Trails Park, which is 400 acres. It features, premier equestrian nature parks, stables available to lease, and 20 miles of trails. There is also an RV campground with accommodations for horse trailers coming in the future and primitive camping spots. These areas are incredible selling points for people moving to town. Also present was Walt Wilson from the Shelby County High School with five members of the Jr. Home Builders group. They spoke about their trip to IBS to compete and their win of 5th place. Our next meeting is: April 24 at Persimmon Ridge, speaker is: Scotty Davenport.