Tedder remembered that the Midwest Georgia association held its first

meetings at the Holiday Inn in Newnan and that the Metro South association

sponsored the group. Pointing out that "many of the same faces I saw then

are still here", he noted: "We wanted fulltime, active builders as our

members, and we wanted quality members."

Tedder said the associating has been valuable in promoting the

building industry and in keeping members updated on such matters as

legislation, legal issues, and zoning, while providing educational

opportunities and aids to personal andprofessional development. "The

association still works on the same issues nowas it did then," he commented. "However, now there are some new issues,

including the environment and traffic."

It was announced that Tedder has recently been named a Life Director

of the national association.

Dixon, another charter member of the organization, discussed how home

prices have increased over the years. "The first house I sold was in 1965,

and it was a 1,600 sq. ft. split level with a price of $19,500, including

the lot. It was financed with a 25-year loan with an interest rate of 4.25

percent.

"In 1971, the price in Dix-Leeon subdivision for a 2,400 sq. ft. home

with a full basement on an acre lot was in the $70,000-$80,000 range.

Today, I paid over $100,000 for just a lot in Peachtree City," he said.

"The costs of labor and materials have really gone up. There are so many

new products and design features to choose from now."

Gene Barber also talked about change, reminding the group that in

1973, when the organization was formed, the choice in house designs was

either "split level right" or "split level left." Another change he pointed

to was in the number of codes and ordinances which must be met. He showed

the crowd the building code used from 1973 through 1979, which was a

17-page pocket-sized document.

Speaking of other historic events in the life of the association, he

said, "We were represented at our first National Home Builders Association

Convention in Dallas in 1973. In 1976, this association joined in the Home

Owners Warranty Program, one of the first to become certified as part of

the program. In March of 1983, the groundbreaking was held at our first

Scholarship House on a lot provided by Bob Dixon. We gave three

scholarships in 1984, and that total has grown to 120 over the past 16

years."

Randy Hayes, talking about the organization's present and future,

stated that Robin Keesal was hired as the group's first fulltime executive officer

during his year as president, while Shelly Dvorak was also hired as

executive officer of the Midwest Georgia Sales & Marketing Council, an

affiliate of the home builders organization. "In December 1997, at the

board's first Strategic Planning Retreat, our board came up with 19 goals

for the future, including keeping our board and membership up to date on

items of importance; increase our membership, which currently stands at

387, to 500 by the year 2000; finding land for a building of our own;

getting our builder members more involved in our entire five-county service

area; creating a pool of qualified leaders to become part of our

association leadership; and help focus elected officials and the public on

those items which are important to us."

Speaking of issues confronting builders, Hayes mentioned that labor

availability and growth issues are regional issues while growth and

environmental problems remain local and national issues. "Locally, we have

to become smarter business people, build better products and better

communities, be more informed as to what local officials want, and be more

sensitive to the community and work within that framework," he said.

Fairburn Ready-Mix and Metro Builders Supply were the corporate

sponsors for the January meeting. First Citizens Bank, Home South Mortgage

and Tucker Federal Bank, the current members of the 1999 Underwriters Club,

were also recognized at the gathering. Members of the Underwriters Club

assist with the cost of dinner meeting programs and receive recognition at

all Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia functions for the entire

year.

The Home Builders Association of Midwest Georgia, which serves

builders inFayette, Coweta, Spalding, Heard and Meriwether Counties, currently has

around 385 members. Information about the association or a membership

application can be obtained by contacting the association office at (770)

716-7109.

Jimmy Booth

P. O. Box 2749

Peachtree City, GA 30269

Phone (770) 487-2477

FAX (770) 631-1901

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