Business briefs

Contractor now re-certified
Upper Marlboro, Md. — K&M Contracting, Inc. in Fredericksburg was recently re-certified through the NAHB Research Center's prestigious National Housing Quality Certified Trade Contractor Program. The NAHB Research Center, a subsidiary of the National Association of Home Builders, offers the certification program and provides independent, third-party evaluations of participating contractors.

The Certified Trade Contractor Program focuses the building industry on doing things right the first time. To achieve certification, contractors must develop, document, implement and maintain a quality management system that enables them to consistently meet code and regulatory requirements, builder specifications and homeowner expectations. After at least three months of operating under their quality system, participating companies may apply for certification through the NAHB Research Center. Each company must then pass a rigorous certification audit and sustain its certification status through annual audits.

The purpose of the audit is to ensure the company is meeting all of the certification requirements, and to verify that the contractor is conducting operations in accordance with their documented procedures. Audits include an examination of the company’s records and procedures in the office and on the jobsite. Earning certification and displaying the Certified Trade Contractor program's seal demonstrates a company’s ongoing and proactive commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

“Today, every contractor says that they provide quality service to their customers, but when Certified Trade Contractors who carry the NAHB Research Center label are used, you can expect greater customer satisfaction,” said Bob Hill, director of laboratory and certification services at the NAHB Research Center. “We are working closely with contractors to raise the bar on professionalism throughout the industry and across the nation.”

The NAHB Research Center, with the assistance of the NHQ Certified Trade Contractor Advisory Council, introduced the NHQ Certified Trade Contractor program in 1991.

Program offers business support

RICHMOND — The Southern United States Trade Association is accepting applications for the 2009 Market Access Program Branded year. The MAP Branded Program assists accepted participants by reimbursing up to 50 percent of certain international marketing and promotion expenses, including eligible trade shows, in-store displays, advertising, trade seminars and required label changes. Additional information about the program, including a list of eligible expenses and product types, is available at susta.org/services/map.html.

According to Todd P. Haymore, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Commercial Services Commissioner, exports of agricultural, food and forest products from Virginia have reached over $900 million for the first five months of 2008, an increase of more than $266 million over the same period in 2007.

“Clearly, exports represent a path of continued growth for the industry of agriculture. This SUSTA program will help small agribusinesses position themselves as players in the global export marketplace and I encourage potential participants to take advantage of this opportunity.”

SUSTA began accepting MAP Branded applications on August 1, 2008 on a first-come, first-approved, first-served basis for activities that will take place during the program year from January 1 through December 31, 2009.

For the best chance of receiving approval for full funding by the start of the program year, VDACS encourages companies to submit their applications as soon as possible. Once all funding is allocated, the application process is over until next year. Eligible companies can download a pre-qualification form and application from the SUSTA Web site at susta.org/services/map_application.html.

Stafford Hospital shop now open

STAFFORD — The members of the Stafford Hospital Center Auxiliary have hosted the grand opening of the Stafford Hospital Auxiliary Shoppe. The shop will sell second-hand goods donated by members of the community to financially support the upcoming Stafford Hospital Center. Members of the auxiliary will operate the store.

The shop officially opened for business August 1. During the first few weeks after its opening, the store will feature “Back to School” items. The shop is located across from the Marriott Hotel, at 2781 Jefferson Davis Highway in Stafford.