PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP)—A few local organizations are ensuring that buying a home benefits not only the home buyer but also students in the community.
Today, in Southport, the Bay Building Industries Association held a groundbreaking ceremony for the 2025 BBIA Scholarship Home with Coastal Classic Homes and Innovations Credit Union.
This house will be a 2000 sqft 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath house at 1709 White Western Lake Land.
Officials with BBIA said it will be priced in the high $400k range, and many of the proceeds will benefit students in Bay County.
“A good portion of the proceeds will go towards our scholarship program,” said Curt Hartog, the President of The BBIA. “We offer scholarships to mainly people who want to get into the trades.” Hartog continued, “If they want to be plumbers, electricians, HVAC, even welders. We want to help them get into that field and move forward.”
We are told the house will be complete in five months, right in time for the June Parade of Houses, where this home will be the featured house.
For students who want to apply for the scholarship, visit the 2024 Scholarship Home—Bay Building Industries Association. Age isn’t a factor; anyone can receive these funds. One requirement is that your trade affects construction.
BBIA officials said they aim to create opportunities in a high-demand field.
“We are very short on people in trades right now,” Hartog stated. “Even in this area, it’s hard for the builder to find the plumber and electricians. There aren’t enough people in the trades in our community to satisfy our need.”
The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March 7th, 2024.
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