Area PACs Raise Funds for Local Candidates
With more than 60 home builders and associates turning out for a festive fundraiser in the Northland Tuesday night, the Missouri North PAC raised $8,500 to help support pro-housing candidates in this fall's elections. The HBA would like to thank the following sponsors who helped make the night a great success: Ash Grove, Commerce Bank, Downing Construction, First American Title, Pinnacle Bancorp and Stewart Title.

Brown Midwest (15705 S. 169 Highway, Olathe) will help the Kansas PAC get behind industry-friendly candidates on the other side of the state line this Thursday when they host their 4th Annual PAC fundraiser beginning at 5 p.m. For more information, contact Steven Cowen at (816) 733-2237.

HBA Unveils Award Winners
The best in new-home design and marketing was honored before more than 580 home-building professionals Wednesday night at the HBA's Spring Awards Ceremony. Winners for this year's American Dream Awards and the Metropolitan Awards for Marketing Excellence are available online. Those winners who did not pick up their awards, banners and signs can do so at the HBA office. Builders wanting to receive copies of their Tour judging sheets can contact Cheryl Doria at (816) 733-2219. Homes on this year's Spring Homes Tour will be open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until May 18.

Governmental Affairs News
The Missouri House of Representatives passed House Bill 2393 by a 138-14 vote on Wednesday. This bill would provide $240 million in tax credits for a proposed Bombardier plant. The proposed plant would cost an estimated $375 million and add 2,100 jobs in the KCI area. The House vote came six days after the Senate passed a bill that scaled down an incentive plan that would have provided as much as $880 million in tax credits. HBA members were active in lobbying Missouri legislators on this important economic development bill for the KC Metro area. The bill now goes to Gov. Blunt for his signature, which is expected in the days ahead. For more information, contact Phil Perry at (816) 733-2235.

What to know what else is going on in governmental affairs at the HBA? Click here for important news regarding builders' meetings and issues in Leawood and Olathe.

Upcoming Events...
Is it possible to be successful in today's business environment? With so many resources changing and disappearing, building industry professionals need to be aware of the products and techniques that will help them maintain a competitive edge in the current housing market. Densel Bell, a mortgage banking lender with Wachovia, will be on hand to tackle such topics May 13 during the Missouri North Council meeting at Tiffany Green. Advance reservations can be made online for $17 through 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, contact Tammy Fiscus at (816) 733-2227.

From the annual Golf Tournament and a night at the T-Bones to educational classes designed to help members go green, the HBA has an exciting schedule planned for this summer. Click here to find out what's to come at the HBA.