1. Only two days until the BIG Night! Win or lose, it's sure to be a great event. We can't wait to see you there.
    
2. Are you in the middle of budgeting like we are? Don't forget to include BATC advertising and sponsorships in your 2016 budget!
    
3. Wanted! Dream Homes and Dream Remodeled Homes for the Spring tour— deadline to enter is November 9th, entry deadline for the Spring Parade of Homes is Nov. 23rd. Email Perri for details.

On October 13, 2015, a three judge panel of the Minnesota Court of Appeals declared the state’s sprinkler rule invalid. The sprinkler rule required sprinklers systems in all newly constructed townhomes and one and two family dwellings, with an exception for one family dwellings with a floor area under 4,500 square feet.

The Court of Appeals concluded that the sprinkler rule’s exception for new, one family dwellings under 4,500 square feet is arbitrary and not supported by the record and declared the sprinkler rule invalid.  On October 14, 2015, the Department of Labor and Industry issued a statement on enforcement of the sprinkler rule. See above.

We encourage all our members with project specific questions to consult their legal counsel and local building official. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Following the publication of sweeping changes in earned sick leave and employee scheduling for businesses in Minneapolis, BATC responded with public comment in opposition to the underlying policy. We’ve heard from many members with concerns relating to this policy and will continue to engage with city leaders and fellow business groups as the policy moves forward. Proponents have scaled back the proposal, dropping the scheduling provisions and have indicated a willingness to moderate the earned sick leave portion as well. A formal ordinance is expected in the coming weeks.

The Minnesota unemployment rate dropped 0.2 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted 3.8 percent, according to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). The U.S. unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in September. Read more >>

BATC Related Headlines: 

Twin Cities EO Honored for Exceptional Leadership
NAHB's coverage of our BATC Executive Director David Siegel being named Executive Officer of the Year. Read more >>

Building HOPE from the Ground UP! 
BATC member Robert Thomas Homes presented HopeKids with a 400,000 dollar check through the project "The House That Hope Built". Read more >>

Candidates Invited to Discuss Their Vision for Tackling America's Pressing Economic, Domestic and Foreign Policy Issues

National Journal, with sponsorship from NAHB, will hold a 2016 presidential candidate forum, "Building Opportunity: Solutions for the American Dream," in Las Vegas just weeks before the Iowa caucuses! Held during Design and Construction Week, the forum will provide candidates the opportunity to address the most pressing economic and domestic policy issues before the largest annual gathering of the housing industry in the country.

The event will be held at the Westgate Hotel, Paradise Event Center, in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. PT. A full agenda will be released in the coming months.

Over a hundred gathered at the Bloomington Crowne Plaza for the first ever Minnesota Energy Efficiency Conference presented by Residential Science Resources, BATC, House Rater & MN Green Path. The presenters had much to share and organizers are already looking forward to next year's event. Read more >>

Oct. 21
Small Volume Builder Roundtable [RSVP]
Oct. 22
The BIG Night [Register]
Dec. 3
BATC Buck Auction & Donation Drive [Register]
Jan. 14
Annual Meeting & Board Induction
Jan. 20
BATC Hospitality Suite at IBS
Feb. 18
BATC Job & Career Fair [Register]

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