Building Business News
Volume Volume 17 18 •• NO.7 NO.11
May 2013 November July2012. 2011
www.kchba.org
The Official Newspaper of The Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City
American Dream Awards Recognize Best in New Home Construction
The top local home builders were presented with the 2013 American Dream Awards. More than 200 people attended HBA’s Spring Awards Ceremony at The Gallery in the Power & Light District as the award winners were announced. Each spring, local home builders compete for top honors in the awards competitions held in conjunction with the Spring Parade of Homes. The 51st annual Parade provided Russ and Lise Groshan, Casa Bella Construction Robert Garver, Wolf Creek Homes consumers the opportunity to visit 322 new homes throughout metropolitan Kansas City during the 16- on architectural design, construction evaluate the entries. Twenty-two Grand day, three-weekend event that opened techniques, craftsmanship and selection of Award winners were selected, and April 20 and continues through May 5. materials. Homes competed in categories twenty-four First Runner-Up honors were The American Dream Awards are the based on price range. Teams comprising awarded. premier honor for new home construction nineteen industry professionals from See Winners on pages 8 & 9 in the Greater Kansas City region. across the United States canvassed the Homes are also online at www.KCParadeofHomes.com Builders’ entries were rigorously judged Kansas City region April 19 and 20 to
Comprehensive Immigration Reform Bill Could Impact Residential Construction On April 16, 2013, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, known as the Gang of 8, introduced a comprehensive immigration reform bill that could impact the residential construction industry. Broadly, the bill includes significant enhancements to security on the southern border, a mandatory E-Verify system to PRSTRT STD U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 108 Lawrence, Ks
be utilized by all employers within four years, a 10-year pathway to legalization for the undocumented population and changes to the nation’s legal visa systems. More specifically, the bill would require employers, including those in the residential construction industry, to use a new version of E-Verify, the internet-
based system run by the USCIS that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the U.S. The requirement to use E-Verify would be phased in over a 5-year period. The bill honors the direct employer-employee relationship, and home builders would not be required Continued on page 6
New Education and Training Opportunities for HBA Members HBA members will have a variety of education and training opportunities during the coming spring and summer months. The HBA’s 2013 Spring-Summer Education and Training Schedule includes sessions on recently enacted building codes, a course to earn an NAHB Advanced Green Building certification and an opportunity to get all of your legal questions answered by two top Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and immigration attorneys. HBA staff recently surveyed members to get a better sense of the type of education and training opportunities they are seeking from the Association. Members are clearly interested in more opportunities to learn about changes in area building codes, green building, the economy, occupational safety and social media. “I think the HBA’s next wave of education delivers to our members what they want,” said Beatriz Ibarra. “I also know that members are looking for ways to earn their continuing education credits so we have already submitted applications for credit on the courses that we believe are eligible for it.” Continued on page 2
Inside this Edition
Membership Madness
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Remodeling Month
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