Business View Magazine - Nov 2023

45 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 11 HOME BUI LDERS ASSOCIAT ION OF GEORGIA economic hub, attracting many newcomers to the state, Hackney acknowledges that the Governor’s administration has intentionally directed economic development efforts outside the metro area, with a particular focus on rural regions. This approach has led to substantial economic development projects in these areas, and the need for additional housing options has become increasingly apparent. “When the Hyundai plant in Bryan County brings more than 8000 jobs that didn’t exist there previously, all those jobs need a place to sleep at night,” expresses Hackney. Sustainability Vs. Affordability The association’s members are addressing challenges related to sustainability, such as electric vehicle (EV) and solar panel mandates. “We’ve been actively involved in committees and hearings on both EV and solar panels,” recounts. Morley “Because in the long run, it does add to the cost of the house, and right now as we’re struggling to find that missing middle, we’re looking for ways to build houses, especially starter homes that people can afford. But when we start adding costs on requiring EV connections and other mandates in every house, that adds to the cost.” One of the significant sustainability achievements in recent years is Georgia’s focus on energy efficiency through the International Energy Conservation Code. “This is a mandatory rulebook for all home builders in the state to follow. It gets updated regularly with new products and new requirements for these energy efficiencies,” Hackney conveys. This means that all new homes in Georgia are built to high energy efficiency standards, which include insulation, air exchangers, and other components. This ensures that new homes in the state are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly “And certainly plenty of our homebuilder members go over and above those minimum standards for even higher efficiency levels,” he asserts. Attracting a Skilled Workforce Addressing workforce development is another top priority for HBAG. Morley highlights the association’s strong support for funding apprenticeships and on-the-job training, aiming to nurture a skilled workforce for the industry. She underscores the significance of dual enrollment programs, stating, “A lot of the people that go into the skills trades go through dual enrollment in high school, which allows them to take courses in the technical college that gives them certification in our field. So, not only are they earning their high school diploma, but when they come out, they are ready to go to work. That gives us experienced workers, it allows them to go straight into the trades.” Morley notes that Georgia has also taken steps to promote apprenticeships in high-demand fields, including construction, and allocated funding to create paid apprenticeships and internships for students, primarily through the Technical College System of Georgia. This investment enables students to enter the workforce early,