Building for growth: Brandon O. Williams sheds light on the construction industry in Cape Girardeau County

__Business Today: Tell us about your education and career background. How did you get into the construction industry?__

__Brandon Williams:__ I graduated from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. Before building houses, I worked in industrial sales, and then when my wife and I moved to Cape, I started building houses because it was something I had always wanted to do.

__BT: What do you love about your work?__

__BW:__ What I most love about my work is not having to go to the same place every day. I could never work at a desk in an office.

__BT: What is the main focus of your business?__

Brandon O. Williams poses for a photo at the new Redhawk Commons apartment complex in Cape Girardeau on Friday, April 29, 2016.Laura Simon

__BW:__ My main focus is land development for subdivisions, new residential and multifamily construction.

__BT: What does the housing market look like in our area? Where are we growing? What are people looking for in a new home these days?__

__BW:__ Currently the housing market is fairly strong, particularly in Jackson and Cape County. With the City of Cape Girardeau being "landlocked" by the Jackson School District, growth is and will be much slower in the City of Cape Girardeau. Choosing a home is a personal endeavor, so everyone wants something different. Solid surface counter tops, hardwood floors, white cabinets and craftsman style exteriors are currently popular.

__BT: Where do you think the housing market is headed in the next couple years?__

__BW:__ I think that as long as interest rates stay low, the housing market will continue to grow. We are kind of isolated in Cape Girardeau, so our boom and bust cycles are on a much smaller scale than the nation as a whole sees.

Brandon O. Williams poses for a photo at the new Redhawk Commons apartment complex in Cape Girardeau on Friday, April 29, 2016.Laura Simon

__BT: The housing market has cycles of ups and downs. What does it take to be successful no matter what's happening in the market at large?__

_BW:__ The key to riding out a downturn in the market is not to be excessively leveraged. Also, keeping enough liquidity to be able to sit on inventory during periods of slow or no sales. During a downturn in the market, its possible to go six to 12 months without a sale.

__BT: Tell us about the commercial construction side of your business. What kinds of projects do you do? How has this side grown or changed?__

__BW:__ My commercial side consists of multifamily developments and some light commercial. I try to keep to what I know best, which is residential.

__BT: What's next for you and your company?__

__BW:__ Over the next few years I hope to finish the larger scale projects I've started this year, Red Hawk Commons and the new assisted living facility in Jackson. I am about to open a new subdivision in Cape County off County Road 302, Savers Farm. I am also expanding and hope to complete Pioneer Orchard and Jackson Ridge in Jackson, and Williamsburg Estates in Cape Girardeau.