Home builders associations unite

Home builders associations unite By Rob Earnshaw Times Correspondent | Posted: Friday, February 25, 2011 12:00 am HOBART | The consolidation of the builders associations in Lake and Porter counties comes at a time when homebuying in Northwest Indiana is expected to grow, leaders of the newly formed organization said. The Building Industries Association of Northwest Indiana and the Porter County Builders Association have merged to form the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana. They made the announcement Thursday at Avalon Manor in Hobart. "The association is now united in members and vision, and we look forward to a great future for housing in Northwest Indiana," said Vicky Gadd, executive officer for the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana. Gadd said restoring the health of the housing industry is a crucial step in putting the region back to work. "As the economy recovers and as Chicago corporations consider relocating to Indiana for its state tax dollars -- we hope that happens -- the Home Builders Association of Northwest Indiana intends to be on the front line working to retain and create quality jobs in the housing industry," she said. HBA's president, Ben Houser, said Northwest Indiana's housing turnaround may be closer than people think, citing an increase in single-family home sales last month compared to January 2010. "I believe now is the time to build or buy a home in Northwest Indiana," he said.