25th anniversary Building Michigan Communities Conference to close with passionate Detroit boosters
LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State Housing Development Authority today announced the 25th anniversary Building Michigan Communities Conference will feature a closing keynote from Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas, business partners, life partners, and co-stars of the hit HGTV series Bargain Block, which started in Detroit and has spawned a spinoff series in New Orleans.
“The 25th Building Michigan Communities Conference will be our best yet,” said Amy Hovey, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. “Following two days of networking and learning, attendees will appreciate Keith and Evan’s unique perspective on their work and our shared interest in making communities better.”
Bynum and Thomas live and work on Detroit’s west side running their retail business, Nine Design and Homes, a home decor and furniture shop. On HGTV’s Bargain Block, they buy as many blighted, abandoned houses as they can on a single block and renovate them into artful and affordable homes. Since launching Bargain Block, they have starred in multiple hit HGTV shows including Rock the Block and the Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge. They also recently announced season four of Bargain Block and a spinoff series Bargain Block New Orleans.
Conference registrations are still available at buildingmicommunities.org.
Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas bios
From West Texas, Keith has always had a deep passion for homes and entrepreneurial development. He started his first company at the age of 14 that went on to become a nationally recognized retail and manufacturing chain. After selling the business, Keith moved into home renovation and soon discovered a deep passion for bringing forgotten and abandoned homes back to life. While working in Colorado, Keith developed an interest in the Detroit revitalization and soon after purchased his first home in the city. His ability to create uniquely designed homes on very small budgets has helped launch the company onto a national stage. Keith brings a new perspective to the traditional flip model and his passion for the Detroit community has inspired a more sustainable and economical approach to renovations.
Originally born in the Midwest, Evan received both his bachelor’s degree and PhD in Physics from the University of Colorado at Boulder. After finishing graduate school, Evan moved to Detroit with Keith to start their own company buying, renovating, and selling real estate. His analytical and research experience gives them a fresh perspective in market and project analysis. Evan has used his extensive experience in process analysis to create efficiency and cost savings on home construction. He also is a skilled photographer. What started as a need to capture Keith’s designs for home sales, quickly turned into a passion for interior and nature photography. Although a transplant to the Detroit area, Evan has fallen in love with the city and contributing to the continued revitalization of Detroit.
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About MSHDA The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), established in 1966, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues.
