Trade associations that represent the home construction industry are witnessing one of the worst downturns in recent history, and like their members, they’ve had to make deep budget cuts, impose layoffs and face declining revenue in local building markets that haven’t hit rock bottom yet. Around the country, several trade leaders say they are in bunker mode, reorganizing staff and dipping into reserves to stay afloat. At the Florida Home Builders Association, incoming CEO Paul Thompson has revised his 2009 budget based on revenue from just 11,000 members. The group currently has 15,900 members but anticipates the loss of thousands more, given market conditions. Eleven… Read More