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So much to build and not enough builders. Governor Haley Barbour says rebuilding here is suffering because of a tremendous shortage of qualified construction workers. That's why on Monday the governor threw his support behind an initiative called "I'm GREAT." GREAT is an acronym for Gulf Rebuild: Education, Advancement and Training. The goal is to train 20,000 Gulf Coast residents from Texas to Mississippi in basic construction over the next three years. Once they get the skills, the students in a heating and air conditioning class at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College believe they'll have little trouble landing jobs. "I thought it would be a good opportunity," said William Tune. "The classes are free so you just come in get a good education that's real quick.
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CA -- J.D. Power and Associates has released the results of its 2006 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study, which measures customer satisfaction with new-home builders in 34 U.S. markets. The study, now in its 10th year, is based on responses from buyers of newly built single-family homes who provided feedback after living in their homes from four to 18 months. To view the press release and rankings, go to: http://www.jdpower.com/corporate/news/releases/pdf/2006161.pdf .
PARACHUTE - Garfield County School District 16 is asking voters to approve a $35 million bond for construction costs to help with the increasing student enrollment felt throughout the district and western part of the county.
"The needed additions are not only to meet current conditions, but also to meet future accommodations," said Garfield County School District 16 Superintendent Dr. Steven McKee.
Parachute and Battlement Mesa are already feeling the strain of growth in their schools.
"The growth is already here," McKee said. "Most of it is felt in the elementary level right now."
Bea Underwood Elementary School in Parachute is already exceeding by 95 its current capacity of 450 students.
The school district recently sent out a survey to voters to get a sense of whether the community would support the proposed ballot issue.
With the Virginia General Assembly gridlocked over how to fund new road construction, it could be a long time before that happens. In the meantime, Covey said, Roanoke County is trying to carry on with its plans while still keeping an eye on the future. "We as the county are trying to stay involved, and knowing this is years down the road," Covey said, "but also be at the table if it ever comes about, so we can negotiate at that point." Parties signing the agreement were: Roanoke; Roanoke County; Franklin County; Henry County; the National Park Service on behalf of the Blue Ridge Parkway; VDOT; the Federal Highway Administration; two historic-preservation agencies; and Virginians for Appropriate Roads. The latter group had argued that Oak Hill, an Old Order German Baptist community in Franklin County, should receive government protection as a historic area.
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