Realtists Benefit from Information Sharing by Federal Agencies at Regional Housing Summit

HUD SE Regional Administrator Jennings moderates federal business opportunities panel left to right Cassius Butts, SE Regional Administrator for SBA, Deric Gilliard, Intergovernmental Affairs HHS and SE GSA Regional Administrator Torre Jessup.

The voices of realtists were heard during the federal business opportunities panel of the Regional Housing Summit program organized by the Empire Board of Realtists, Inc. (EBR [http://empireboard.sharepoint.com/Pages/default.aspx]); a local Chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, Inc. (NAREB [www.nareb.com/]).

Over 200 large and small business owners and commercial realtists attended the day's events which were focused on how best to "diversify in a resurging market." There were a total of six 50 minute panels addressing important business segments within the housing industry. The panel sessions covered government contracting, minority and women Inclusion, commercial real estate & development, entrepreneurship, entertainment & film, and state and local opportunities.

The federal government contracting or federal business opportunities panel was moderated by Ed Jennings, Jr., HUD SE Regional Administrator along with panelists Cassius Butts, SE Regional Administrator for SBA, SE GSA Regional Administrator Torre Jessup and Deric Gilliard, SE HHS Intergovernmental Affairs Director.

"There are real business opportunities for realtists and the information we share can be very impactful as you develop your business and consider possibly partnering to expand your reach of opportunities as well," said Jennings.

One realtist, a broker from South Florida, enthusiastically related that she was inspired by the remarks of Jennings and Butts during a similar event last year and consequently was motivated to apply for SBA financing which she previously thought she was not aware of and is now getting ready to acquire a larger office building to support her growing business.

The Empire Board of Realtists, Inc. established since 1939 in Atlanta, GA is an organization of real estate professionals whose core objective is to secure the right to equal housing opportunities and equity in the real estate and financial services industry for people of all colors and backgrounds.

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB [www.nareb.com/]) was formed in 1947 by chartered African American real estate professionals out of a need to secure the right to equal housing opportunities, regardless of race, creed, or color. The National Association of Real Estate Brokers, (NAREB [www.nareb.com/]), is a Real Estate Professional trade organization.

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