MHMSM.com presents Factory Built Housing Industry News at Noon with Erin Patla.
We begin with these stories:
SMALL BUSINESSES are the “primary drivers of job creation,” and aid in the form of legislation should be the first order of business for Congress when it reconvenes next month, according to President Obama. The president again touted the legislation Friday and accused Republicans of blocking the $55 billion small business package. The president also noted that the legislation will not add to the deficit.
FROM RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, the Press-Enterprise reports small businesses still do not feel safe hiring people. Researchers at Citibank found only 22 percent of small businesses say they plan to hire new people in the next 12 months. Bob Henry, retired Fleetwood Enterprises executive and a counselor with the Inland Southern California chapter of the counseling service Senior Corps of Retired Executives (or SCORE), told the paper most business owners these days are happy to keep their heads above water. “Most are in a break-even position at best, and they prefer to work harder themselves than hire more people,” Henry says.
EXPERTS WORRY that upfront costs may keep some Floridians from taking advantage of a high-efficiency rebate program in that state. According to a report in hometownnewsol.com, the rebate program requires homeowners to have their ducts tested – something that can cost $350 to $700. The program may not be suitable for homeowners with hard-to-access ductwork, but would apply to most condominiums, mobile homes and manufactured homes. More information is available at rebates.com/floridahvac.
HOMEBUILDERS IN PENNSYLVANIA have lost an appeal to Commonwealth Court of their challenge of state building codes requiring sprinkler systems beginning next year. Builders in the Reading [RED-ing] Eagle say the new code could add $5,000 to $12,000 to the cost of a home. Sprinklers will not be required in manufactured homes, however. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, which regulates the uniform construction code, has come to the conclusion that manufactured homes are exempt from sprinkler requirements. Pennsylvania Manufactured Housing Association executive vice president Mary Gaiski explains, however, that the basements of manufactured homes set on foundations will be required to have sprinkler systems. Look for a full report on MHMSM.com this week on sprinklers requirements around the country.
“Up next, State Association News…
But first, this podcast of News at Noon is sponsored in part by:
Precision Capital Funding, on the Web at CaptiveFinance.net. Precision Capital Funding earned the MHI 2010 Service Supplier of the Year Award.
For more information, email Kenneth Rishel at kennethrishel@captivefinance.net or call 217-971-3968.
Now, back to our stories.
In State Association News…
KEN ROSS of Sherwood AR, regional sales manager for Triad Financial Services of Jacksonville, Florida ,was recently recognized for outstanding service and lasting dedication to the state’s factory-built housing industry with induction into the Arkansas Manufactured Housing Association’s (AMHA’s) “Hall of Fame.” Mr. Ross was surprised with the honor during the Association’s 39th Annual Meeting and Convention, held August 19 at The Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, AR. Ross has served in numerous leadership positions with AMHA – as a member of the Association’s Board of Directors and Chairman of the organization in 1982.
ALSO FROM ARKANSAS, in recognition of thirty years of continuous membership in the Arkansas Manufactured Housing Association, Sunshine Homes, Inc. of Red Bay, Alabama, recently received the organization’s “Thirty Year Membership Award.” The honor was announced during the Association’s 39th Annual Convention at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas. In addition, in recognition of twenty years of continuous membership, Southern Homes of Double Springs, Alabama received the organization’s “Twenty Year Membership Award,” and Clayton Homes received a the “Ten Year Membership Award.”
In Market News…
MOST MANUFACTURED HOUSING STOCKS advanced Friday. Deer Valley was up ten percent to close at 44 cents a share, Drew Industries was up nearly four percent to close at 20.93 per share, UMH Properties did just as well, closing at $9.94 a share. Sun Communities and All American Group were down for the day. The manufactured housing composite value was up more than two percent. The Dow moved up 127 points to close at 10,447.
“On behalf of Production and IT Manager Bob Stovall, Editor L.A. ‘Tony’ Kovach, Associate Editor Catherine Frenzel, INdustry in Focus reporter Eric Miller, and the entire MHMSM.com writing and support team, this is Erin Patla. G’day!”