It would be difficult to understate the importance of what took place in Washington, DC on September 22nd, when officials from MHI and MHARR met jointly with HUD officials, as reported Friday in our Daily Business News.
Given the often tenuous and rocky history between these two key trade groups representing manufactured housing’s various interests, this ‘baby step’ could lead to giant ones over time that can help the industry advance. That doesn’t mean ‘unity’ organizationally, but a more fundamental step of working together intelligently for the mutual interests of both trade groups. Our industry needs that for of unity far more.
For those – like MHProNews.com – who receive the press releases of both organizations, it is note worthy that both trade group’s press releases where virtually identical. The key difference being whose name came first in their respect release MHARR and MHI or MHI and MHARR.
Informed sources suggest that the catalyst for this significant joint meeting with HUD event were the respective chairman of the organizations. For MHARR, John Bostick. For MHI, Joe Stegmayer. We can count on one hand the times that these two groups have taken a step like this in the last 13 years. So the significance should cause a sense of accomplishment for those who have helped participated and helped make this happen.
We have hinted in previous blogs and news reports that something was moving behind the scenes.
There are lots of potentially significant items brewing for our industry. There is steady progress open and behind the scene on the MH Alliance/Phoenix Plan. There is progress in drawing retailers togethe for a national meeting. Louisville 2012 is shaping up very nicely, so early in the process. In Texas and other parts of the land, state associations are taking steps to advance the cause for their members.
Stay tuned to the Daily Business News, our MHI and MHARR news and this “The Masthead” blog for more as these events will continue to unfold. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This one between MHARR and MHI is potentially important for all of us. # #
