Inside: Builders’ Sentiment Holds Steady No Images? Click here
 
   
 

3 Things You Need to Know

  1. Better late than never! The second round of membership directory forms were due last week. Please send them back ASAP.
  2. Only two weeks! The Advertising deadline for the Spring Guidebooks is December. 28th. Reach over 100,000 of housing-interested prospects by Contacting Kori Meewes, 612-801-9874.
  3. Associates, don't miss these savings! Book your BRS booth online by Thursday, December 31st to take advantage of early-bird pricing for the 2016 Builders & Remodelers ShowEARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT CODES: 10x10 Booth: EB1010  | 10x20 Booth: EB1020.
 
 

This Week's Top Stories

 
 
 
 

Minneapolis to Consider Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance

 
 
 
 

Following the footsteps of St. Louis Park and Edina, Minneapolis will consider an Inclusionary Zoning ordinance. These ordinances generally require that a fixed portion of units in a development be priced for rent or purchase at an established ‘affordable’ level. BATC has long expressed skepticism and opposition to IZ ordinances. Most are drafted in a way that acts as a housing tax on the market rate homes in a development who are asked to subsidize the affordable units. 

 
 
 
 

Sen. Scalze Announces Retirement, Rep. Isaacson to Run in Senate Race in ‘16

 
 
 
 

Sen. Bev Scalze, DFL-Little Canada, said Wednesday that she will not seek re-election in 2016. Scalze is serving her first-term in the Minnesota Senate, building upon her time in the MN House which began in 2004.

Jason Isaacson, DFL-Little Canda, is running for the seat currently held by Sen. Scalze. This opens Isaacson’s seat in the House, which was a closely contested race in the 2014 election, where Isaacson edged out small business owner Heidi Gunderson by just 800 votes.

Scalze, a wildlife artist, was elected to the Little Canada City Council in 1978 and served for 24 years. She was elected to the Minnesota House in 2004 and served there for eight years. Scalze then won the Senate District 42 seat in 2012. She’s currently vice chair of the Senate Capital Investment Committee.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

BATC in the News

 
 
 

This week's BATC related Headlines

Huge November for Twin Cities Home Sales
BATC President Chris Contreras was quoted in the Star Tribune talking about the November housing numbers. Read more >>

Minneapolis' Housing Market Feels The Heat Of Higher Sales
Realty Today covered the various factors that have led to a better than average November for the Twin Cities housing market. Read more >>

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Housing Market Heats Up in November

The Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors credits warmer temperatures, job and wage growth, and low interest rates for strong home sales in November. Pending sales rose 18.1 percent to 3,497 signed contracts; new listings increased 11.5 percent to 3,785. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Builders’ Sentiment Holds Steady

The NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index fell one point to 61 in December. According to NAHB the index has been between 60 and 62 for six of the last seven months with only October rising briefly to 65. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A Big Win for Small Builders: EPA's Streamlined Stormwater Compliance Guide

For years, NAHB members have raised concerns about the complicated process of getting a storm water permit. In direct response to NAHB's request the EPA released a voluntary construction general permit compliance template for residential lots disturbing one acre or less. The template and a fact sheet can be found here.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contractor University Kicked Off Today!

One down, 39 more to go! Contractor-U runs through March 2016.

Sign up for courses on building/energy codes and the latest building science featuring national and local experts. Plus, a selection of legal and specialized courses that you will not find anywhere else. 

Most daylong courses (7 credits) are only $98 with individual courses as low as $14. 

All classes are held at the Contractor University seminar facility in Roseville except the classes on January 21, 2016 (Maple Grove) and February 25, 2016 (Bloomington).

 
 
 

Charts that Show Our Age

A look at Census data reveals that the average age of workers in the construction industry exceeds the average age of the overall labor force. The median age is highest in the Northeast and Midwest. North Dakota has the second youngest industry workers with the median age of 38. Read more >>

 
 
 
 

Upcoming Calendar of BATC Events

 
 
 

Jan. 14
Annual Meeting & Board Induction
Jan. 20
BATC Hospitality Suite at IBS
Jan. 21
Contractor University: New Home Construction from Permit Application to Final Inspection [Register]
Jan. 26
Contractor University: “Compliance” Code, Law, Insurance CE course [Register]
Jan. 28
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Feb. 2
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Feb. 4 
Contractor University: EPA Lead Renovator Initial Certification Course [Register]
Feb. 9
Contractor University: Seven hours of CE courses [Register]
Feb. 11
Contractor University: Mold Remediation course [Register]
Feb. 16
Remodelers Roundtable Houzz Workshop [RSVP]
Feb. 18
BATC Job & Career Fair [Register]
Feb. 23
Contractor University: Building for High Performance [Register]
Feb. 25
Contractor University: New Home Construction from Permit Application to Final Inspection [Register]

For a complete list of events, visit our website at WWW.BATC.ORG.