President's message: 2013 Home Show a huge success!

It was a long time coming, and many people put in tremendous amounts of work to make it a success: It was the Rhode Island Builders Association's 2013 Home Show, and it happened in April! We and thousands of visitors caught the fun at the Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence, from April 4 - 7. Many RIBA members benefited by exhibiting at the show. By the way, if you're not a member of RIBA, go stand in front of the mirror and ask yourself, "Why not?" The Home Show is only one of the exciting events and huge array of member benefits that RIBA offers. We thank member Ron Smith and the Home Show committee for all their hard work! Special thanks also go to member Carol O'Donnell of CRM Modular Homes for arranging for the 902 s/f Saco Bay Model Modular Home as the show's centerpiece, and to the whole committee, who worked so hard. Permits up nationally According to the National Association of Home Builders, single-family building permits, an important indicator of future building activity, rose 1.9% to a seasonally adjusted, annual rate of 584,000 units. On the multifamily side, they were up 1.5% to a 341,000-unit pace in January. Both were the strongest permit numbers seen since mid-2008. Of course, that's nationally. Rhode Island's economy and housing market continue to lag. Let's hope that the good sense and responsible economic policies in states where housing is recovering will rub off on Rhode Island. Felix Carlone is the president of the Rhode Island Builders Assn.Felix Carlone, F.A. Carlone & Sons