A Victory for all Minnesota home builders and homebuyers! 

Residential sprinkler systems are no longer required in any new homes! Last week we received great news from the Minnesota Supreme Court that It has chosen to deny the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s petition for review. Meaning, the Court of Appeals decision invalidating the sprinkler mandate in 1 and 2-family homes stands, and is now the law throughout Minnesota. Read the Supreme Court denial here.

Thank you for all your patience and support during this court battle. Our hard work has paid off. 

Several media outlets covered the Supreme Court's decision. Watch and read below:

Kare 11 >>
Star Tribune >>
WCCO >>
MSP Business Journal >>

BATC is pleased to welcome Mark Foster to our staff as our Political Engagement Manager. Mark’s role will be multi-faceted and includes management of the Home Builder Advocate Network, BATCs Grasstops and Grassroots Member Network; Local and Regional Policy Issues; and Housing First Fundraising and organization. Mark will be in the field actively engaging with BATC members. We know you'll make him feel welcome when he calls!

A Burlington, Iowa native, Mark earned his political science degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2012 at the age of 19. After graduation, he moved back to his hometown to work for the Greater Burlington Partnership. During his three years with the Partnership he managed a variety of programs, events and organizations including the government relations and young professionals programs. Under Mark's leadership the government relations program received the 2015 MACE Public Policy of the Year Award and the young professionals organization reached an all-time membership high. In his spare time Mark enjoys running marathons. He completed five within the past three years and is currently training for the 2016 Boston Marathon. Additionally, Mark and his fiancee, Bonnie, are engaged to be married in July.

The group tasked with coming up with a citywide sick leave proposal for Minneapolis has scheduled six "listening sessions" to gather input from members of the public. While each of the meetings are open to the public, the six meetings have targeted audiences. For BATC members, the meetings on Jan 7th and 14th are likely the best venues.

• Jan. 7th: For those in manufacuturing and construction. Meeting will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Minneapolis Labor Center, 312 Central Avenue.
• Jan. 14th: For small businesses. Meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W. Lake Street.

This Week's BATC Related Headlines

Edina's teardown craze hasn't reached neighboring St. Louis Park
BATC member Scott Busyn of Great Neighborhood Homes was interviewed by the Star Tribune on the topic of tear downs in St. Louis Park. Read more >>

2016 is Going to be a Strange Year
BATC's Katy Baar spoke with the Pioneer Press on housing trends for 2016. Read more >>

Welcome to the BATC Family!

Help us welcome these new members to BATC:
AAA Movers, Inc. 
Alerus 
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. 
Corner Home Medical 
DCR, LLC 
Doyle Real Estate Team 
Heinen Homes, Inc. 
Lelch, Inc. dba Lelch Audio Video 
Medici Development, LLC 
Melby Homes, LLC 
Midwest Electric and Generator, Inc. 
North Country Distributors, Inc. 
Ramsay Properties, LLC 
Riffland Solutions 
Wright Homes, Inc. 

Hot Off the Press the January Digest!

Photo's from the BIG Night, a look into what 2016 holds for us, an update from your BATC Foundation, and more in this month's edition of the BATC Digest. 

3..2..1..Liftoff!!

Join us as we launch into the new year with a new president (Meg Yaeger) and board and listen to the newly appointed NAHB chief economist, Dr. Robert Dietz, share his insights into 2016. 

2016 BATC Launch Party
January 14th | 4:30 -8:30 PM | Calhoun Beach Club 

($40 registration includes dinner, drink ticket & valet parking)

Hiring? We can help!

Over 500 job seekers attended our 2015 BATC Job & Career Fair in the Mall of America Rotunda. Don't miss your chance to speak to hundreds of interested job candidates.  If you need workers, this is the place to be. Space is limited — Book your booth today.

Thursday, February 18, 2016 - Noon-4:00 PM
Mall of America Rotunda
Details and booth registration: www.TCBuilderJobs.org

BATC & SPAAR Partnering to Build Mini-Libraries

BATC's Young Professionals and SPAAR's Community Engagement Committee are thrilled to announce a new joint venture that will bring Books Around the Block to several area communities. We’d like your help!  Click to learn more about this wonderful new project.

Does your company use Salesforce?  

Would you be interested in talking with other people in the construction industry who are also using Salesforce?  Join us on Friday, February 5, at 9 am at the BATC office to see how other companies are using Salesforce, share best practices and resources. Just curious about Salesforce?  You’re welcome too!  Contact Perri Graham-Raff with questions.

Earn Your CE Credits at Contractor University!

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 BATC except the classes on January 21, 2016 (Maple Grove) and February 25, 2016 (Bloomington).

Jan. 14
Annual Meeting & Board Induction [Register]
Jan. 20
BATC Hospitality Suite at IBS [RSVP]
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. 20
Parade of Homes Opens
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.