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Texas Trophies will be expanding this month, thanks to a construction loan from Security Service Federal Credit Union that was secured through the U.S. Small Business Administration. San Antonio-based Security Service began offering small business loans in 1995, but it wasn't until just a few years ago that federal credit unions could offer SBA loans. Now, Security Service is an industry leader. "There's only six credit unions in Texas doing SBA loans now," said Security Service spokesman John Worthington. "We're ranked No.1 in Texas and we're 15th out of 98 nationally." The owners of Texas Trophies — Lorraine and Jesse Pope — said their experience getting an SBA loan through Security Service was better than it was when they went through a conventional bank for an SBA loan to build their first shop in 1993.
MIAMI, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- A 1950s-era house and two V-8 engines may help Florida scientists learn which construction materials and methods better withstand hurricane winds. Studying construction methods and materials and how they withstand hurricanes' wind and water can prevent future damage, the Miami Herald said Friday. Florida International University's International Hurricane Research Center and Laboratory for Coastal Research scientists used the V-8 engines to produce winds of 115 mph, which they trained on the condemned to learn on how older buildings fare, the Herald said. Authorities said improving building against storms stronger is the best way to corral insurance costs, the Herald said. Insurers tend to charge higher premiums on older homes, assuming the dwellings won't fare will in storms because they were built under less rigorous standards.
MORE women should take up careers in the construction industry, says a Cardiff-based house builder. Women make up just 10% of the UK construction workforce, and just one out of every 100 tradespeople is female. Nick Kurobasa, regional director for affordable housebuilder and regeneration specialist Lovell, said the industry offered good jobs in a variety of roles including management and trades such as carpentry. He said women were shunning construction because of its image, but the reality was very different. "The industry is now very much focused on quality, customer service and a 'considerate construction' approach, which is fast changing people's perceptions," he said. "The working environment and culture is far better now. Forward-thinking companies such as Lovell realise that women are helping significantly with this change process.
While watering restrictions force longtime residents to cut back, builders keep putting in more houses with thirsty landscapes. And that doesn't sit well with Rockwall County commissioners. Some are even mentioning the "m" word – moratorium. "You take care of the citizens of Rockwall County first," Commissioner Jerry Wimpee said. He noted that cities in the North Texas Municipal Water District generally allow daily watering of new foundations and plantings, while established lawns can be watered just one day a week. Commissioner Bruce Beaty agreed. "It's tough to tell somebody who has lived here and paid their water bills all their life ... we're required to have restrictions," he said. "On the other hand, we're still approving subdivisions." And Commissioner Scott Self supports a moratorium because of the city of Rockwall's "past sins" of requiring green landscaping with new construction.
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