Home construction will be good

The Home Builders Association of Michigan is confident in its prediction of another good year for residential home construction. There was a 28-percent year-to-year increase for single-family home permits in the state for 2013. And it’s predicted that there will be a 20-percent jump this year when all is said and done. Hillan Homes President Patrick Raye says his business is the best it has ever been, although he says a shortage of qualified contractors could potentially restrain growth. Bob Filka of the Home Builders Association of Michigan says his group has asked lawmakers in Lansing to assist students who want to enter the skilled-trades. The industry estimates that 60-thousand people left the construction field during the last recession and it is pushing for legislation that will help students who are on the skilled-trades track, to graduate.  (MRN)