The Mountaineer is a newspaper based in Waynesville, North Carolina, and is owned by The Mountaineer Publishing Company, with Vicki Hyatt as the editor, says Wikipedia.
They just named their person of the year as Jim Blyth, who is a real estate and modular housing professional.
“Blyth is a native of Washington state and was once the mayor of North Pole, Alaska, where he worked to bring in 250 modular homes where workers could stay when the Alaska pipeline was being built,” sad Hyatt in the article honoring their person of the year.
Blyth “now lives in Maggie Valley [NC], where he sells modular homes and real estate and is a developer.”
Hyatt describes him as someone who works on both sides of the political aisle in the state capital of Raleigh, NC to impact issues of importance over a range of causes. State Sen. Jim Davis has worked closely with Blyth over the years, said the Mountaineer. “Everything he does is valuable,” Davis said. “He finds worthy projects at every turn and fully immerses himself in them.”
Kevin Ensley, chairman of the Haywood County Commissioners, was described by the Mountaineer as having known Blyth for 15 years. That is time enough to learn that his primary interest is whatever seems best for the community. “He and Ron DeSimone were instrumental in establishing a committee to study the broadband needs for the county,” Ensley said.
Blyth is also described as an advocate for the Elks, local community college, and law enforcement – along with other groups and causes. But affordable housing, specifically modular homes, are why the Daily Business News on MHProNews is re-sharing the spotlight on Blyth. Because his story is one that holds a number of lessons for manufactured and modular housing professionals, going into 2019.
Affordable Modular Housing
Patsy Davis, executive director of Mountain Projects, sings Blyth’s praises on efforts for Haywood Community College board and on Haywood Pathways Center.
“He is a strong supporter and advocate of affordable housing,” Davis said. She noted Blyth built a spec house that was sold as a fund raiser for the Haywood Pathways Center.
The Haywood Pathways Center governing board spent years striving to find a suitable model for families. Blyth arranged the purchase of a two-story modular building, where 10 families can be housed.
The Haywood Pathways Center provides emergency, temporary housing for men and women. but there is no space where families with young children can stay. He did this reportedly at no profit.
No doubt such efforts are ‘good marketing’ and ‘good branding.’ We’ve spotlighted previously the efforts of Tom Fath and his family to be highly engaged in their northern Indiana land-lease community of Westville, IN. That in turn has been good for the image of affordable manufactured home residents.
When factory-built housing is misunderstood, such use of time and talent are a positive part of what is necessary to establish a positive difference in local market. Presently, all forms of factory-crafted homes are arguably underperforming. It will take extra effort to change that. But the potential is enormous, as the first related report linked beyond the byline and notices reflects.
So no wonder that kudos have come to Blyth, and they should to all those earnestly strive day-by-day to make a positive difference while elevating factory-built housing. “We Provide, You Decide.” © ## (News , analysis, and commentary.)
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