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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Portland Builder Begins Construction of Home Made Entirely of American Materials
LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. – November 28, 2011 –Local Portland home builder Gerald Rowlett of Westlake Development Group announced today the groundbreaking of what he believes to be the first “Made in America” new home construction project in the Northwest. From the nails and screws to the steel and wood, all materials used during the construction of this home will be made in the United States.
Rowlett became inspired after watching an ABC segment of Diane Sawyer’s “Made in America” series about a home builder (and former economist) in Montana who constructed a home entirely from U.S.-made products. Rowlett was impressed with the stats – according to the report, if every builder bought just 5 percent more U.S.-made materials, they would create 220,000 new jobs. Not to mention, the home would be constructed using better quality American materials.
Rowlett contacted all of his suppliers and subcontractors and challenged them to work with him to build a truly all-American home. The response from his building partners has been enthusiastic. Everyone he talked to agreed that the project will help add jobs, which in turn helps the local economy. In addition, this project and others like it will have a positive financial impact in many areas throughout the country.
The home, which will be constructed in Lake Oswego’s Lake Grove neighborhood, will be the first of its kind in the Northwest where all of the products will be sourced throughout the country to provide a strictly American-made home.
“Our men and women involved in this project are ecstatic to be part of this unique approach to home construction,” says Rowlett. “We hope that this example will catch on as other home builders see the opportunity to truly provide such a rewarding and ‘pay it forward’ approach for our fellow Americans.”
Use of the site’s existing structure has been donated to the Lake Oswego Fire Department for valuable training exercises. Westlake Development Group is in the process of removing the remains of the old structure and plans to begin construction on the new home next week. “Stay tuned as we begin a journey that we hope becomes a standard of the industry in the coming years” says Rowlett.
