Rhode Island Home Builders Association to Host Media Teleconference on the Urgent Need for Housing and Economic Stimulus

--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rhode Island Builders Association:

WHEN:

Thursday, Jan. 15, 2009
9:00 a.m. EST

WHO:

• Michael Artesani, Sr., President, W. Artesani & Sons and President, Rhode Island Builders Association, Cranston, R.I.
• Thomas McNulty, President, E.A. McNulty Real Estate, Cumberland, R.I.
• Patrick Rooney, President, JT’s Lumber, Middletown, R.I.
• Joseph Frisella, President, Frisella Engineering, Wakefield, R.I.
• Bernard Markstein, Senior Economist, National Association of Home Builders, Washington, D.C.

WHAT:

The nation is in the midst of its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Three million home building-related jobs alone have been lost as a result of the slowdown, and the deterioration has spread into nearly all other job sectors. Builder confidence measures are at an all time low and foreclosures continue climbing to record levels. The economic crisis has spread to nearly every small town and city across the country, and families are suffering.

On Jan. 15, the Rhode Island Builders Association will host a teleconference to discuss the state of the local housing market and push for Congress to take bold and decisive action to spur a housing and economic recovery.

Michael Artesani, president of the Rhode Island Builders Association will discuss the state of the housing industry and what elements Congress should include in an economic stimulus package. NAHB Senior Economist Bernie Markstein will analyze how the Rhode Island housing market reflects the overall trends in the national economy and housing market. Home builder Thomas McNulty, building materials supplier Patrick Rooney and engineer Joseph Frisella will provide a view from the front lines of the local housing market.

Members of the media will be given the opportunity to ask questions at the conclusion of the call.

TO PARTICIPATE:

To participate in the call, please dial 1-800-860-2442 (toll-free) and ask for the “Rhode Island Housing Market” Call.

For more information, please contact Roger Warren at (401) 438-7400 or rwarren@ribuilders.org

ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as "the voice of the housing industry," NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB’s builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for 2009.