Decon Training Project Slated for early 2007

A multi-house deconstruction training project in Biloxi, MS is being planned from January 3-15, 2007. This project is part of a larger program called "Rebuilding After Katrina Using Local Resources" conducted by the Hamer Center for Community Design at Penn State University, and supported by the Oak Hill Fund.

Participants will not only receive expert training and experience in house deconstruction and materials (wood) reuse, but provide invaluable service in the Gulf Coast in the process.

This deconstruction effort has four proposed outcomes:

•To provide hands-on training in best practices for deconstruction with notable experts in the field to interested businesses and non-profits;

•To generate information about the specific recoverable materials and economics for deconstruction and reuse in the Biloxi / Gulfport, MS region;

•To raise awareness of the potential for deconstruction and reuse after natural disasters and in the long-term recovery process in the Gulf Coast and help inspire the local ownership of this alternative to demolition;

•To create a stock of local materials for direct reuse in the community rebuilding process, and to document the best uses in the rebuilding process.

Interested parties should contact Brad Guy at the Hamer Center, guy_brad@yahoo.com, by November 17.