Sunday, August 8, 2010

Publishers Viewpoint August 2010



Hard to believe the summer has almost slipped away and I am starting my fall planning and looking forward to January 2011. Key though is to take some time to reflect and enjoy the moment.

Last week I received a package in the mail and was surprised to have to get a certificate and “Thank you” letter from the Niagara Habitat for Humanity. The past two plus years I have been providing Habitat free advertising space to promote requests for donations, recognizing industry partners and most importantly the 3 day “Blitz Build” put on with the support of the Niagara Construction Association and Niagara Home Builders Association. Habitat provides a worthy service to residents looking to be able to afford their first home and the construction industry is a huge supporter of this.

The key I have found dealing with the construction industry is recognizing the generous nature of everyone involved. From fueling our overall economy with growth and revenue generated as spin offs from infrastructure work, new home construction and the ever increasing commercial sector, the construction industry is one of the most if not most generous when it comes to supporting communities.

In Barrie the Build for Gilda’s a few years back saw the Barrie Construction Association and the Canadian Home Builders Association – Simcoe County build a home in 3 days and then donate the proceeds of the sale to Gilda’s who in turn used the money towards building Gilda’s Club, which again was supported by the same associations and members who then donated materials and labour to help complete the project.

As mentioned earlier members of the Niagara Construction Industry came together to build a home with Habitat for Humanity in less than 60 hours. I remember being part of the early meetings and discussions of having the two associations work together for the first time in their long histories and only hope that they can continue to find new ways to work together. What is the next project? Who knows but I am sure someone has taken notice of what they did and I look forward to supporting the idea.

As a member of the construction industry how do you support your local community? What ideas do you have to make where you work and live a better place? Share with me what you have done or are doing and we can provide coverage in the GTA Construction Report with editorial articles or supporting advertising messages.

One last plug for myself check out our newest publication the Canadian Design & Construction Report, a national magazine reaching over 75,000 readers across Canada. You can see the online version of the publication at www.cnrgp.com

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