READ 2023 President’s Letter – ATTEND November 15th Annual Members Meeting

October 2023

Members of the Association,

I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and say what an honor it has been serving with the staff and entire board of directors for the members of our home building industry. The work of the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association / Northern New Mexico Builders Association is as vital today as it was in 1980, when a few builders got together and decided a unified BUILDERS’ VOICE was needed. As we work to expand that voice throughout our seven-county Association region, we have met members who recognize the value and power of a unified voice when confronting the construction issues we all face. 

In this letter we outline the work and ideas we are engaged with that lift our businesses, contain construction costs, and increase the pace for high-quality home construction. For local Santa Fe builders, we’ve included a short piece framing Santa Fe’s home excise tax, on the ballot Nov. 7. 

Attend the Annual Member Meeting Wednesday, Nov 15th at 4PM @ Ray Gee Builders Hall – 2520 Camino Entrada, Suite B, Santa Fe. (RSVP 505.982.1774 / Office@BuildNewMexico.com) Ballots will be e-mailed soon to vote for your 2024 Board of Directors & Executive Committee.

Joshua Shultz of Zachary & Sons Homes is standing for election to become your 2024 President. Josh needs your support and participation to lead this Association for another year of action and community events that move our Mission forward.

The Santa Fe Area Home Builders / Northern New Mexico Builders Association represents and serves the diversified needs of our members and community. We are an active voice in promoting safe, quality, cost-effective, and affordable housing. Members of the Association are motivated to uplift themselves, their businesses, the home-building industry, and the communities we live in through professional affiliation.

• LABOR – Meeting the challenge to find, train, hire, and retain skilled workers

We are all challenged to find, hire and retain skilled workers. In 2023 we reestablished ties with Santa Fe Community College as they overhaul and build a strong industrial arts program. Additionally, we began the work to build partnership with the Early College Opportunities (ECO) High School in Santa Fe, nearing completion of their new building and campus, promising to educate up to 400 students in the industrial arts, including construction and design. Our work with immigrant rights advocacy groups deepens. We respect and rely upon the skills of our foreign-born workforce. Our efforts on all these fronts are meant to increase the pipeline for skilled workers into our industry. Visit BuildNewMexico.com to sign up for programs and connect with your next team member. 

• Government & Community Affairs – leading the work and promoting best practices

Our work researches and promotes best practices from other states and cities around the nation aimed at containing costs and increasing efficiency within planning and land use departments so your building projects encounter less headaches and more profitability. 

We’re making sure member voices and ideas are included in the work to rewrite and improve Santa Fe’s Land Development Code / Chapter 14. Contact us to include your input and ideas for improving the Code and/or go online to add your comments here: www.SantaFeLDCupdate.org. 

At the State level we are active with the Governor’s Office and NM Legislature in pushing for creation of a model infrastructure extension fund program, legislation that supports our industry, and policy changes that mandate greater efficiency in plan review, permitting, and inspections processes to increase much needed housing production and support our State economy.     

• Building Together – Member Networking and Community Events

We had another successful Haciendas de Santa Fe, Parade of Homes in 2023. We heartily thank the builders, sponsors, hard-working volunteers, and (special shout-out) Parade Chair, Laura Gallegos of Washington Federal Bank who managed a million moving pieces to produce what we believe to be one of our nation’s great home parades. 

This past Spring, our Home Show & Remodelers Showcase proved again to be a popular local event. Santa Feans attended in large numbers and enjoyed meeting builders and exhibitors who could help them manifest their dreams for creating beautiful home spaces. The annual Lego Contest was a big hit and we hope it sparks an interest in children to pursue a career in building, construction, or design.

Monthly luncheons continue at the Ray Gee Builders Hall to provide valuable educational and networking opportunities for members. Keep an eye on BuildNewMexico.com for upcoming events, including the 2024 Home and Remodel Show, and sign up for member resource emails.

As Communities constantly change, the voice of builders and associated tradesmen and women who care about quality neighborhoods is essential. Your voices are amplified, and your businesses grow stronger through participation in your Association. Get in touch with us to learn about all the ways you can volunteer. Thank you for being active, involved, and for creating beautiful homes while upholding the traditions of our beautiful cities and towns.

Let’s keep building New Mexico, together!

Thomas W. Treece, 2023 President
Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association
Arpad Builders, Principal