One of the first things I did when I started Riverwoods Mill was to join the Southern Utah Homebuilders Association. At first, I joined for selfish reasons - to rub shoulders with contractors and promote my own business. The discounts we received on Workers Compensation Insurance and our mobile phone bill made the decision a good financial choice as well.  

As the years have gone by, I have become more aware of the “behind the scenes” work and more subtle benefits that SUHBA gives all of us. For the past 18 months, I have had the opportunity to serve on the SUHBA Board of Directors, and I have seen how much more SUHBA really does have to offer each of us. We live in a world more and more controlled by rules, regulations, and government. 

I was surprised to find out how much influence SUHBA has on our city and government officials. Many times, without most of us even realizing it, SUHBA helps to make sure our rights as homebuilders and subcontractors are protected. In today’s political environment, our combined voice is much louder than any one of us can be alone. When we are represented as a group, they listen to us and usually make an effort to respond in a fair manner. There are still many things regarding regulations and our government that can be frustrating to us. We must continue to work together to make sure some common sense prevails in how we build homes and run our businesses. Our continued support to associations like SUHBA are crucial. And it’s a great thing there are still some financial benefits to membership as well. The way I look at it, I cannot afford to not be a member!

The SUHBA Scholarship Golf Tournament on Friday, June 19th at the Coral Canyon Golf Course, has been sold out!!! We encourage you to contact us if you would like to be placed on a waiting list if a position become available. The positions on the waiting list will be assigned in order of receipt. Call (435) 674-1400 for more information.

If you would like to participate in this popular golf tournament, we have only one hole sponsorships remaining.  Come enjoy a great day while networking with members in a relaxed atmosphere. We provide a promotional custom sign for your company. You receive recognition in golf programs and are included on the sponsor cards, table-top signs, and in the SUHBA newsletter. You are welcome to have a display at your hole and talk one-on-one with the players (not required). Click here to download a hole sponsorship form.

Remember, the proceeds from the tournament go to the SUHBA Scholarship Fund which helps fund scholarships to students in construction and related fields right here in Southern Utah. Don't miss this great event. It is full of fun, excitement, and lots of prizes!

Special Thanks to this year's sponsors:
  

Main Event Sponsor: United Rentals
Golf Course Sponsor: SunCor Utah	Hole Sponsor: MetLife Home Loans
Meal Sponsor: Interstate Rock Products	Hole Sponsor: D&M Blinds
Meal Sponsor: Riverwoods Mill	Hole Sponsor: Workers Compensation Fund
Drink Sponsor: Rainbow Sign & Banner	Hole Sponsor: The Village Bank
Scholarship Hole Sponsor: Open	Hole Sponsor: DXATC
Main Hole-in-One Sponsor: Hirschi Roofing	Hole Sponsor: America First Credit Union
Hole-in-One Sponsor: Questar Gas	Hole Sponsor: Weather Master Products
Hole-in-One Sponsor: Cindy Taylor Trucking	Hole Sponsor: Weather Master Products
Hole-in-One Sponsor: Hollywood Body	Hole Sponsor: Summit Athletic Club
Hole Sponsor: United Rentals	Hole Sponsor: Artisan Real Estate Advisors
Hole Sponsor: Boulevard Home Furnishings	Hole Sponsor: SunFirst Bank

The 7th Annual Ultimate Home Expo to be held September 11 & 12 at the Dixie Center is perfect timing for your company to gain market share and to distinguish your company apart from the competition.  Exhibiting gives corporate stability during a struggling business environment.  Reach both business professionals, including many contractors and the general public.  

Let us show you how to more than exhibit, get successful results!  Easy payment plan is available during this tough economy and SUHBA members save over nonmembers.  Exhibitors have opportunity to attend valuable 'Exhibiting for Profit' seminar - free of charge! Look for event information coming soon.  If you want to be added to our growing email list, please send an email to mari@suhba.com or shawna@suhba.com.  

Become an event sponsor and benefit even more! Sponsor the Ultimate Home Expo and receive unique benefits.  Prime choice of best exhibition area, logo included in marketing materials, large signs at event, announcements, newsletter recognition, and many other benefits. Your company will definitely be front and center with this unique opportunity. Contact Mari Smith at 674-1400 or mari@suhba.com for more sponsor benefits and availability.  Sponsors are limited. 

On June 8th, the following three members were awarded positions in the 2010 Parade of Homes by silent bids.  Congratulations to the following Builders:

Banner Homes
Brian Geer Development, Inc.
Hoopes Construction, Inc.

The Southern Utah Home Builders Association (SUHBA) recently announced its 2009 SUHBA Scholarship recipients at its membership luncheon held at Dixie State College on June 2, 2009. SUHBA awarded a total of $12,800 to twenty one scholarship recipients. Individual scholarship awards ranged from $300 to $1,000. ...More

St. George City is excited to announce that its 2009-2010 funding allocation for the Down Payment Assistance Program will be in place this July. This federally funded program is established to provide eligible home buyers with a recoverable no-interest loan for up to $10,000 for a down payment or to go for closing costs, payable when the home is sold or refinanced. This program is open to owner-occupied housing units within St George City limits. The Five County Association of Governments has partnered with the City to administer this loan and they are now accepting applications for participation in the program. Click here to read more information. Click here to download an application.

This class is Part I of the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation. Learn how green homes provide buyers with lower energy costs and higher value. This 2-day course for building professionals discusses strategies for incorporating green-building principles into homes without driving up the costs of construction. You will learn how green homes provide buyers with lower maintenance, better indoor air quality and better long-term value. Green Building for the Building Professional will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 23-24, 2009, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the University Plaza at 1071 E 100 S, Bldg C, St George. Click here for a registration form. For more information, please call Kathy Tolleson at (435) 674-1400.

This class is Part II of the Certified Green Professional (CGP) designation. Come and learn the management skills that give industry leaders the edge. This course will give you a solid foundation in those best business practices so valuable to smaller businesses: planning, organizing, staffing/directing and controlling. Business Management for the Building Professional class will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2009 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, at the University Plaza at 1071 E 100 S, Bldg C, St. George. Click here for a registration form. Please contact Kathy Tolleson, at (435)674-1400 for more information.

Don’t miss your opportunity to attend the Southern Utah Building Industry Conference held on Friday, September 11th, at the Dixie Center. 

• What’s in it for you? "Sharpen Your Skills" Survival Training for Professionals
  
• Continuing Education: Contractors complete all your continuing education requirements in one day! Real Estate, Mortgage and Title can obtain up to 8 continuing education credits. Timely topics include: Fraud; Construction Contracts; Short Sales; Building, Marketing & Financing Green, and so much more!
  
• Networking Opportunity: Get acquainted with your peers in the industry at breakfast, lunch, during classes, and at the popular Ultimate Home Expo. All of this is included with the conference fee!

• SUHBA Scholarships Available! The first 100 SUHBA member companies to register and pay for the conference will receive a $50 reimbursement check after attending the conference! This will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis. One scholarship per company. Don’t wait to register or you may miss out on this discount!  Click here to download a registration form.

For more information, please contact Kathy Tolleson at (435) 674-1400.

This two-day seminar, sponsored by Wells Fargo Bank, explains in simple, clear language, what financial management is, why it can greatly improve your profitability and how you can effectively communicate with company financial advisors. "Managing Your Business In Turbulent Economic Times" is being held on June 11th & 12th, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, at the Courtyard by Marriott at 185 S. 1470 E, St. George. The seminar fee is $350 per person and includes text, workbook, seminar materials, continental breakfasts and two lunches. For additional information please contact Aaron Ernest with Wells Fargo Bank at (435) 674-8156 or email  aaron.ernest@wellsfargo.com. Click here to view the brochure.

NAHB

• Don't Write the Great American Novel. Instead, they scan Web sites looking for interesting words or graphics that jump out and say "click me."  
• Don't Make Your Visitors Pan for Gold. Don’t confuse them with a site that will make them think about how to find what they're seeking.
• When Web Visitors Play, They Buy. Visitors go to web sites to find information and to learn. But they also want to find it through an interactive format that they can "play" with — like video, audio, flash slideshows, mortgage calculators and interactive product demonstrations.

Click here to read more.

Attend the 16th Annual St. George Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo! This year's Expo focuses on putting 'Dixie First' by highlighting local businesses and their products. This Expo will be held on June 10th and 11th at the Dixie Center. Come and see the latest and greatest in technology, retail, and more! This event is FREE to ALL! Come by the Dixie Center this Wednesday and Thursday and ENTER to WIN our GRAND PRIZE, a Deluxe Computer System, provided by PC Innovation Computers. Don't forget our annual Balloon Drop on Wednesday, June 10th, at 6:00 pm. This event is sponsored by: The Spectrum Newspaper, Cherry Creek Radio, Dixie State College & Dixie Applied Technology College, and Yellowbook. Call 435-628-1650 for more information!

Volunteers are welcome to join Windermere Real Estate Southland on Friday, June 19, 2009 for this year's Community Service Day. This year, they will be painting the Dixie Care and Share's family shelter and providing landscaping. Axiom Financial, who joined them in helping sponsor a large garage sale to earn money for the project, will be there to help. Sherwin Williams Paints has donated paint for the project and Sunroc gave materials for skirting at a reduced price. Plant World has donated fabric to lay rock behind the shelter. Rowland Stone has assisted with decorative rock for landscaping. Call Tammy Houchen at (435) 688-1900 if you would like to help with the project.

After five full quarters of operation, St George based Town & Country Bank has reported continued strong growth in deposits and loans. For 3 months, the bank saw a quarterly increase in outstanding loans of 23 percent and a gain in deposits of 29 percent. Growth in both loans and deposits outpaced projections. Click here to read more.

Windermere Real Estate Southland recently announced the launching of their new Internet Concierge Listing Syndication Program. This service allows for a home to be advertised across more than 30 popular home search sites with just the click of a mouse. These top website partners are pre-selected and are the largest, most advanced syndication networks in existence and more are being added all the time, providing optimum exposure to home buyers worldwide.

Brandon Bulow has been named Branch Manager for SouthWest Federal Credit Union in Hurricane. Brandon, who most recently served as a Financial Service Officer at the Sunset branch in St. George, started with SouthWest Federal five years ago as a teller at the Tabernacle branch.

Come stay, play and save with the Wingate by Wyndham summer packages! The Father's Day Swing and Swim Golf Package includes one night stay and 18 holes of fabulous golf with cart at Southgate Golf Course. Book now, prices starting at $99 per night and offer is only good through June 30th. The Under the Stars Tuacahn Package includes one night stay and 2 tickets to the show of your choice. Offer good June 8th through September 28th with packages starting at $109 per night. Call Wingate by Wyndham at (435) 673-9608 for more information or to book your package. 

Join HOST Business Services at their Grand Opening open house, ribbon cutting, and great food! Come see their office at 321 North Mall Drive Bldg R, St. George, UT, 84790 on June 16, 2009 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm for their grand opening. Attendees to HOST’s Grand Opening will receive 30 days FREE and NO set up fee! Time is a precious commodity. Everyone wants and needs more of it. HOST Business Services provides its clients with exactly that—more time – time to focus on what you do best! For more information, call 435-674-6600.

NAHB
In contemplating the future status of housing government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) yesterday told Congress it is critical for the federal government to provide a backstop to the housing finance system to ensure a reliable and adequate flow of affordable housing credit. Click here for more information.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee last week approved legislation that would limit greenhouse-gas emissions and create a national building code that completely supplants the national model code development process. ...More

NAHB
First-time buyers eligible for the $8,000 federal tax credit who apply for mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration may soon also be eligible for bridge loans or cash advances that they can use for the down payment, closing costs or other loan expenses pending receipt of their tax credit check from the IRS. Click here to read more.

SUHBA members are encouraged to submit company event announcements, open house announcements, job announcements, education announcements and press releases for inclusion in the next News You Can Use by Monday, June 29, 2009. Please email the information to news@suhba.com.