Judy Martens, Sallisaw Chamber of Commerce executive vice president, said the group has chosen a name, the Greater Sequoyah County Homebuilders Association, and the group will be having a planning meeting on May 5.
All builders in Sequoyah County are invited to attend the meeting, which will start at 6:30 p.m. at the Sallisaw Civic Center. The meeting will include a free dinner sponsored by Arvest Bank.
"We encourage all Sequoyah County builders, subcontractors, or realtors to attend this meeting and learn more about it," Martens said.
At that meeting, Rich Looper, the association spokesperson, will discuss the benefits of having an association and the preparation of bylaws. Martens said they will also try to set a dues schedule and discuss advertising and the purchase of brochures for the group.
Martens said last month, on March 24, Mike Means with the state homebuilders association talked with the group, explaining the benefits of becoming a homebuilder association. Through it, builders can obtain cheaper workman's compensation rates, and other benefits.
She said that about 20 attended the last meeting. At that meeting the group decided they would like to form an executive committee to explore forming a homebuilders association.
Martens pointed out that in order to have their own affiliation and not be a chapter under another association, such as the one in Tulsa, they have to have 15 builders and five associates join. Those associates can include subcontractors and realtors.
If the group joins the state association, they will have to pay state and national yearly dues.
She noted that the advantage of not being a chapter is that they can set their own local dues.
The group met for the first time in February to see if there was interest in forming an association. That meeting attracted about 20 contractors, city officials and homebuilders. The chamber is currently assisting the group with the organization of meetings.
