Contractors Who Care

When the hurricane hit, the Florida building industry felt the impact in every way possible. Building materials for construction projects were diverted to help shore up damaged homes and buildings. Crews, already working at capacity, were mobilized around the clock. And contractors, whose homes and businesses themselves were damaged or destroyed, set aside those needs and focused on the business of rebuilding the state. The contractors' stories are many and varied, but all provide a glimpse of how the building industry pitched in to help the state recover. From providing food at the disaster site, to creating programs and offering financial assistance, to climbing up on roofs and stretching resources, the building pros were on the job – and continue to be. HGTVPro is proud to partner with the Florida Home Builders Association to tell those stories by producing a "Contractors Who Care" public service announcement that reminds Florida residents of the role that builders and contractors continue to play in relief efforts. The PSA will air on television stations in Florida markets and on HGTVPro. In addition, HGTVPro, Scripps Networks and the E.W. Scripps Foundation, made contributions to the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund. The Florida Home Builders Association hurricane relief and recovery programs have been a cornerstone of the state's rebuilding initiatives. The FHBA's Disaster Contractors Network (www.dcnonline.org), created in 2002 as a one-of-a-kind system for the exchange of important disaster recovery construction information, was fully activated just days after Hurricane Charley made landfall and remained active for Hurricanes Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. In the wake of Hurricane Charley, FHBA established the FHBA Hurricane Relief Fund to get FHBA members and their businesses up and running so they, in turn, would be able to meet the vast construction demands throughout the state. The fund directed donated materials to members in need and raised money to purchase critically needed building supplies. OPERATION REBUILD: Building Florida Back Better, a series of free construction fairs, were established to give citizens a one-stop opportunity to communicate with building officials, state government organizations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, local contractors, and home builders association representatives. The hurricane mitigation program, CODE CENTRAL, educates contractors on the unique products and services available that help safeguard life and property, during the annual Southeast Building Conference. For more information please visit the Florida Home Builders Association website at www.fhba.com