The Johnston County BIA established an annual scholarship to support students who have demonstrated a commitment to completing their education. It is intended to help students reach their educational goals and can be applied toward any education-related costs, including textbooks, and any other fees associated with their studies.

This year’s recipient is our next generation in building!  He comes from a family of contractors and architects that have owned their own business dating back 5 generations.  His dream is to one day own his own building company. 

He is attending NCSU and finished last year on the Deans List with a 3.598 GPA.  He is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, and class representative on Poole College of Management Student Council, and attended Summer Internship for Sumner Construction.

This future Building Industry Professional is the son of Shannon and Mike Hunsaker –   Congratulations!!   Mr. Blake Hunsaker!!!

I remember the first time I heard the term “building green” used. The article showed pictures of a house in the desert built out of used car tires and empty bottles all held in place with mortar. It was REALLY ugly and that image stuck with me for a long time. Fortunately today the meaning of green building has evolved, but still has room for interpretation. So what does Green Building mean to you? Does it mean….

Legislative Update
BREAKING:  Governor Pat McCrory signs SB 25 (Zoning/Design & Aesthetic Controls) into Law on 6/19/2015 at 10:30 a.m.

After a busy budget preparation week, the Senate passed its version of HB 97 (2015 Appropriations Act) early on Thursday setting forth its priorities for state spending for the next two years.  As expected, the final vote tally fell mostly along party lines. The two chambers will now attempt to hash out their differences and reach agreement on the roughly $21.5 billion dollar plan.  This process could take weeks or even months.  There is currently a difference of $750 million dollars between the respective spending plans, as well as various tax provisions that were not included in the House plan.  Arriving at a budget deal involves a lot of moving parts, including attracting enough votes to pass a compromise budget within each chamber and gaining the support of the Governor.  This will all play out over what is already proving to be a long, hot summer in Raleigh.

Presented by the largest Home Builders Association in the country this FIRST CLASS expo has something for everyone.  By attending the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference, you are guaranteed the opportunity to become more successful in your business.

Membership is possibly the most important tool in your tool belt!  Thank you for renewing your membership:

The NCHBA Build-Pac Trustees have designated June as NC BUILD-PAC month, to coordinate with our annual Legislative Reception, also held in June this year.  The emphasis this year is to broaden participation.  We are simply asking $10 from each member in order to reach our goal of 100% participation.  We have until June 30th to reach our goal of $2300.

The Trivia Night numbers are in!  JCBIA together with JCAR raise $4,239 for Wounded Warrior Project.  Today Tracy O'Dowd, April Stephens, Dana Wooten and I went to Fayetteville to deliver the check!  Thank you to all those who participated in Trivia Night and for those who donated ALL your winnings back!!

Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service on or after September 11, 2001 and their families. On that date, America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers. Many warriors note a sense of duty to volunteer for the military following these tragic events.

The Johnston County Building Industry Association and the Johnston County Association of Realtors put their brains in action last night!  The inaugural Trivia Night was a great success!  $3800 was raised for The Wounded Warrior Project!

What would you think if you could get a rebate for your loyalty to many of the nation’s leading housing industry Manufacturers? Well, now you can regardless of your volume!

The JCBIA is happy to help promote the NCHBA Member Rebate Program, a free member benefit, aimed at increasing your bottom line. For the minimal effort of informing them about the products you use, and telling them when you close on a home or project, you’ll be putting money back in your pocket. When you participate in the NCHBA Member Rebate Program, every home you build can earn you rebate checks! Remember, both Builders AND Remodelers qualify for the NCHBA Member Rebate Program.

Over 70% of the Builders & Remodelers who participated last year received back in rebates more than they paid in annual dues to the Association!  Click Here to Read More!

During the 2015 Johnston County Parade of Homes the public had an opportunity to vote for their favorite neighborhood!  The winning community is The Nine, which is a private, gated community in Clayton, NC, named for its nine luxury home lots. All homes in The Nine are built exclusively by Kirkwood Builders, a local custom home builder consistently recognized for excellence in design.  Just for voting during the Parade of Homes the public had an opportunity to win a 50" TV sponsored by AlarmFox.  Today Ray Bilinski with Alarm Fox and Art Kirkwood with Kirkwood Builders drew the name of the winner! 

Thank you Lowes Home Improvement for sponsoring the March General Membership Meeting!  All the giveaways were awesome and the food was great!

P&L -- Profit and Loss.  Not every company may have a fancy spreadsheet to show their P&L for a year, but without question every company from the smallest sole proprietor to the largest multi-billion dollar commerce, reconciles its gain or loss as a reflection of the success of its business operations.  Every enterprise weighs investment against return -- how much "bang for my buck" will this job, or this advertising, or this piece of equipment, or this partnership bring to my bottom line?  However, while P&L's might show us part of the picture of the success or failure of a business, and while every business needs to turn a profit in order to survive, altruistically P&L goes much deeper than mere financial profit.

Its the 1st (hopefully annual) Trivia Night Fundraiser!  The members of the Johnston County Building Industry Association and the members of the Johnston County Association of Realtors want to join forces to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.  This is your opportunity to use all the knowledge you have swimming around in your head!!  Teams will place 1st, 2nd, 3rd.  HOWEVER - the Association that raises the LEAST amount of money will have to carry the "Brain Pill Dispenser" to all general membership meetings for the remainder of the year and offer all their members "brain pills" so they can prepare for the next challenge.....LOL!!!!  Team Registration is Open - please call or email Sherry.

Open House is JUST AROUND THE CORNER!  Open house dates are April 18-19, 25-26 and May 2-3.  Saturdays and Sundays 12pm -5pm!

Our Builders continue to shine in a challenging environment, and we are especially proud to say that high-quality craftsmanship and overall excellence still prevail when building a home in Johnston County!

To map out your tour please visit Johnston County Parade of Homes!

Those in attendance listen intently as Norman Smit of Integrated Media Strategies explains the importance of having a website!  Also discussed was the TECH Trends THAT REALLY MATTER- Impact of social media on business:

People talk and share their experiences on social media

Increasingly social media results show up in Search

Recommendations on social media are increasingly important

IMPACT
Social media are an important channel for good and bad

SOLUTION
Authenticity in content marketing

Next Workshop is scheduled for May 12th from 9am -11am at the JCBIA office.

If you are in the market for lighting fixtures, and other home decor items - you will not want to miss this extravaganza!

1 DAY ONLY!! MARCH 28TH FROM 9AM TO 1 PM
VISIT OUR FACEBOOK PAGE FOR DETAILS
WIDE VARIETY OF CLEARANCE FIXTURES, CHANDELIERS, OUTSIDE LIGHTS, MIRRORS AND LAMPS

Members of the JCBIA make repairs at The House of Hope in Clayton. After an inspection of the property, we found where water had come in around the 2 back doors and damaged the floors, door trim, etc.  Tim Veronelli and Terry Evans gathered supplies and some help from Don Marsh and made the repairs on a Saturday!

Thank you Lowes of Smithfield for supplying product
Thank you STOCK Building Supply for supplying the replacement doors
Thank you Special Effects for supplying the carpet and labor
Thank you Goldsboro Builder Supply for supplying the linoleum

2015 seems to have started strong with almost everyone I have spoken with in the building community. Jan/Feb business was better than past years by far when.....here goes Mother Nature with her humbling reminder of who is really the boss in wintertime! Two weeks of icy,cold,wet conditions rendered many job sites temporarily impassable. Historically we are done with most or all of our snow by the middle of March . Lets hope that she has finished our lesson early for this year and will allow Spring to take hold.
As you look at other markets, especially up north, it doesn't take long to realize how lucky we are to only lose a couple of weeks to winter weather.We measure our snowfall in inches....not feet!
Have a great year everyone.

STOP SELLING START SOLVING their problem!   Customers buy products or services to solve problems.  Sometimes it is a problem of having the blues or being depressed—so a Snickers Bar or a good cheeseburger will do. Other times, their couch is getting wet every time it rains because their roof leaks or their car keeps breaking down so they are late to work.  In each case, there is a problem to be fixed, which is driving or causing the need for a solution.Solve the problem, and you make a sale. If you approach “selling” with the perspective of “solving the customer’s problem” instead of “making a sale,” you’ll make more sales, have happier customers, and increase your referrals (free business). Just a friendly reminder:  smiling is the very best way to convey friendship and build rapport.

A NEW PLACE FOR Inspiration HAS ARRIVED IN RALEIGH!  STOCK Building Supply is proud to announce the Grand Opening of their newly remodeled showroom & design center!

Join them - Thursday, April 2nd from 8am - 3pm.

3000 Yonkers Road, Raleigh

Breakfast and lunch * Giveaways and Prizes * Product Demonstrations from industry leaders * showroom tours!