Pat Nelson, Executive Vice-President of the Home Builders Association of Mississippi, spoke to the Rotary Club of North Jackson during its November 2, 2021 meeting. Nelson, a Rotarian and member of the Rotary Club of Brookhaven, informed members and guest about the effects the pandemic has had on the home building industry in Mississippi and the USA. Nelson has been the Executive Vice-President of the HBAM for a year. Nelson was employed by Entergy for many years as well as serving in the Mississippi Legislature. 300 jobs are created when 100 new homes are built. 3.9 million work in the residential construction industry. The price of building a new home has skyrocketed since the pandemic and now ads around $35,000 to the cost of an average home. The price for a 4'x8' sheet of plywood (OSB) was $7 before the pandemic and reached a high of $62 per sheet. The price of wiring for the home, went from $60 per roll to $180 per roll. Those building a new home or renovating one, also have to wait weeks and months for windows, other building materials and appliances. To view the video of the meeting, please click on this link https://vimeo.com/642219339. Shown in the photo below are from left, Club President Uriel Pineda, Nelson and Club Director Bill Osborne.
