South Carolina Speaker of the House Robert “Bobby” W. Harrell, Jr. (R-Charleston and Dorchester Counties), was honored with the Hammer and Trowel award at the 40th Annual Bird Supper in Columbia recently. Speaker Harrell received the Home Builders Association of South Carolina’s (HBASC) highest award for a public official for his commitment to economic development and support of the state’s home building industry.

“Speaker Harrell has always been a strong supporter and a friend to the Home Builders Association and to our industry,” said Steven Mungo, president of the Home Builders Association of South Carolina. “He has been instrumental in supporting legislation that promotes the residential building industry, and more importantly, to keep the American dream of home ownership alive.”

Over the past 15 years, Harrell has worked to protect small business and to stand up for affordable housing. “Representative Harrell understands that the housing industry is the catalyst for economic growth in our state,” said Phillip Ford, executive vice president of the Charleston Trident Home Builders Association. “His door is always open to his constituents, and he’s always willing to support free market and less government.”

Some of his legislative accomplishments on behalf of home builders include the passage of the Home Occupancy bill; the Statute of Repose bill; significant Workers’ Compensation Reform; and the Economic Development bill, all of which benefited the citizens of South Carolina

The Hammer & Trowel Award is given annually to a public official (elected or appointed) or to any government employee who has had the greatest positive impact on the State’s housing industry during the previous twelve months. Selection is determined by an endorsement from a local home builder association and secret ballot from the HBASC executive committee.