South of the James

The Home Building Association of Richmond has joined the vibrant Virginia blogosphere with their entry, Growth is Good. For an industry whose name is often prefaced by derivatives of the word “greed,” the title is full of sassy irony. At any rate, this blog promises to be both a marketplace of ideas for public policy and a marketplace of information for potential clients of HBAR members. So far, there aren’t a ton of business and industry blogs in the Commonwealth, and it will be very interesting to watch this group operate.

Some early posts include such subjects as Transfer of Development Rights (TDR), trends in housing starts, and housing affordability. With vigorous chief lobbyist Tyler Craddock at the helm, HBAR is sure to stir things up a little bit on the public policy front. I’ve had the distinct pleasure of speaking in favor of a local planning decision in Chesterfield that this group opposed, and many of us have haggled with individual HBAR members over the price of granite countertops, tiled showers, and breakfast nooks. Developers drive a hard bargain, but they typically do so while smiling. They play the political game as well as anyone, and wannabe operatives should take notes.

If we’re lucky, we may even see a little Growth is Good v. Bacon’s Rebellion action going on in the battle over human settlement patterns. At the very least, bloggers will be to see one of the Commonwealth’s most politically and financially muscular industries in action.

Let’s give them are hearty welcome!