Builders: Growth pays well

For those whose heads were buried in the sand during the recession, the Lee Building Industry Association reminds us that growth more than pays for itself.

At the invitation of the local association, National Association of Home Builders Economist David Crowe recently met with Lee County commissioners and delivered an analysis of the impact of new-home construction in the county.

His conclusions weren't surprising to most homebuilders and business owners, but it's good to give local politicians some ammunition to fend off anti-growth activists who are starting to reemerge.

Using a well-established economic model, Crowe says building 100 single-family homes in Lee County creates $23.2 million in local income, generates $2.6 million in taxes for Lee and its municipalities and creates 415 local jobs.

The NAHB economic model captures the effect of the construction activity itself. Most people also forget the ripple impact that occurs when income earned from construction activity is spent and recycles in the local economy, and the ongoing impact that results from new homes becoming occupied by residents who pay taxes and buy locally produced goods and services.

Intuitively, at least, we all know that's true. It just helps to remind those who forget.