Business briefs

Ramos recertified in criminal law
Shallotte attorney Michael R. Ramos has been re-certified as a specialist in state and federal criminal law by the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. He was originally certified in 1997. A specialist must undergo re-certification every five years.
Ramos has practiced law in Brunswick and surrounding counties since 1982, both in state and federal court. His practice is limited to representation of those charged with DWI, drug offense, felonies and misdemeanors of all degrees.
He is also certified by the office of Indigent Defense Services and the Capital Defenders Office to represent individuals charged with capital murder. He has been selected by Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the top criminal defense lawyers in North Carolina and carries a “pre-eminent” rating from Martindale Hubbell, the world s most trusted legal resource.

‘Swing the Walls’ in Bolivia Feb. 1
The partnership of Brunswick Housing Opportunities (BHO) and 22nd Century Builders will “swing the walls” on a truly energy-efficient, low-maintenance home at 2610 Evans Road in Bolivia at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 1.
This Workforce Affordable Home is being constructed using innovative, environmentally friendly products and techniques that reduce the cost of building and maintaining a home for working families. It will be the first of its kind in Brunswick County, organizers said.
The pre-cast concrete wall construction method allows the building of a healthy, safe, energy efficient, affordable and secure home for this working family. This design reduces the cooling and heating costs by as much as 67 percent and is also hurricane, wind and fire-resistant. The walls and roof have a lifetime warranty. It never needs to be painted again. The build time is reduced by as much as 50 percent.
All of these features make this the most cost-effective, both in building and maintaining, home for working families.
“For the past several years, we have searched for a builder and design that would allow us to build attractive, innovative, workforce housing,” said Resea Willis, long-time Workforce Housing Advocate. “22nd Century Builders and the pre-cast concrete building method allow us to build great housing. More importantly, we are providing much needed jobs, and a healthy, safe, energy-efficient and low-maintenance home for the workforce of this region. This is an event you do not want to miss.”