• #MNBDAC! Get social with us tomorrow at Builder Day at the Capitol! Let's show our legislators home building and remodeling matters.
   
• School is cool! Earn your CE credits with BATC-U. Classes run though March. Sign up here.
   
• Let's do lunch! Help us honor our BATC Foundation volunteers. Register for the February 24th luncheon at the Golden Valley Country Club. KARE 11's Belinda Jensen will be our guest speaker!
   
• Taking the Lead! BATC Executive Director David Siegel is serving on the NAHB Association Leadership Institute program committee, which is in the process of reviewing some 80 session proposals to build out the Institute’s agenda for 2015.
   
• It's here! The ParadeofHomes.org is live and the guidebooks are available at Holiday Stationstores. 

It's going to be a great Builder Day at the Capitol! The Folders have been stuffed with everything you need to storm the Capitol. This event is an important part of our strategic plan to build a comprehensive, modern advocacy program and strengthen us as the leading voice for BATC builders and remodelers.

SCHEDULE
11:00 AM Check-In, Lunch Available
11:45 AM Program (Issues overview, talking points and tips for your meetings)
12:00-4:30 PM As Scheduled- Meetings with legislators at the Capitol (round-trip transportation provided)
4:00-6:30 PM Reception

Details
Parking - Landmark Towers Parking Ramp, 336 Market Street or Empire Parking Ramp, 129 West Kellogg Boulevard
Shuttle - Two shuttle vehicles will be running between the James J. Hill Library and the State Office Building. The first departure is at 11:30am and the final shuttle will leave the Capitol at 4:35pm.

Let's make sure our voice is heard! Get social with us by using #MNBDAC and #HOMEBUILDINGMATTERS on your preferred mode of social media.

Time flys at the Capitol! Week six is a wrap – Here’s what you need to know:

1. Codes:  BATC’s lawsuit moves forward as we get our first chance in court to argue against the sprinkler mandate and energy code requirements on merits of the proposed policy. BATC continues to have discussions with legislators on both sides of the aisle who continue to express interest in helping resolve the code issues. More to come.

2. Met Council Oversight Sub-Committee Looks at Thrive 2040 Plan: The Subcommittee on Metropolitan Council Accountability and Transparency reviewed Met Council’s Thrive 2040 last Thursday. Representatives from the suburban counties of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, and Washington testified at the hearing and relayed their frustration and opposition to elements of Thrive and the process used to create it. Expect legislation to be considered in upcoming meetings.  

3. Budget Forecast Coming Up: Substantive activity on the budget will increase once the February forecast is released by Minnesota Management and Budget on February 27th. Legislative leaders will be able to set the “budget targets” for the respective finance committees. Those budget targets are the framework in which each chairperson must work when putting together his or her budget bill.

4. Energy Performance Path: The Department of Labor and Industry has responded to the legislative discussions initiated by BATC in calling for a complete performance path option to demonstrate energy code compliance. BATC is continuing to press the issue of specifically creating a HERS Index score target as a performance compliance option to our energy code requirements. Expect legislative discussions on this to continue.

5. DFL Disagreement: Governor Dayton and Senator Bakk are in a heated and rare public feud over the Senate’s handling of the Commissioner pay increases initiated by Governor Dayton. While not related to any BATC priorities, this affects political dynamics all the way to the session’s conclusion in May.

Read more >>

We've been working hard to get the word out on the BATC Job Fair! BATC executive director David Siegel stopped by WCCO and John Zirbes, with Job Fair sponsor and participant Lyman Lumber made an appearance on KARE. Both emphasized the more than 200 job openings available and the number of great companies that will be there. The Star Tribune and a number of other publications have promoted the event as well!

The BATC Job & Career Fair will be held:
DATE: Thursday, February 19, 2015  HOURS:  Noon-4:00 PM
LOCATION: Mall of America Rotunda, 60 East Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425
MORE INFO: www.TCBuilderJobs.org

Participating companies include: All Sons' Exteriors, Inc.; AMEK Custom Builders, Inc.; American Workshop Career Education; Brush Masters Inc.; Dakota County Lumber Company; GreenGuard Construction, Inc.; Idc-automatic “The Garage Door Place”; Iron River Construction; JL Schwieters Building Supply Construction, Inc. & Schwieters Companies; JNS Builders, LLC; Lampert Lumber; Lyman Companies; Pella Windows & Doors; Plekkenpol Builders, Inc; Practical Systems Heating and Cooling; Scherer Bros. Lumber Co.; Shaw/Stewart Lumber Co.; SOLID-EMPLOYEES, LLC; Synergy Products, LLC; Tradesmen International

There’s more to be found at the career fair than just jobs! Watch lego artists, from the Greater Midwest Lego Train Club, build a model home construction site from Lego brick or watch Sears demonstrate the latest construction tools and technology.

Stars in the making! We’re in the midst of completing three TV spots/videos to promote our industry to consumers between tours. Labeled “That Moment When,” these spots will show consumers why new and newly remodeled homes are better (more energy efficient, everything is new, fit your family better). Thanks to Custom One Homes for letting us invade their Woodbury model. Look for the spots to begin airing on KARE 11 every Friday and Saturday beginning April 3rd.

Thanks to those of you who took the time to answer our member survey over the past couple of weeks. This information will help inform the next step in our quest for more knowledge and data about our Parade of Homes consumers.  We’ll be performing exit interviews with Parade of Homes and Remodelers Showcase visitors over the spring tour, and adding some focus groups in April. Look for some excellent information to help us keep our consumer brand relevant well into the future.

We’re also working with a masters class at the University of St. Thomas on member valuation research. If they reach out to you to participate in a focus group, we’d truly appreciate your input.

In St. Paul, Two Trends Drive Increase in Home Demolitions
"It's the same activity, but it's happening for totally different reasons," said Andy Barnett, a housing specialist. Read more >>

Home Sales in the Twin Cities Off to a Strong Start
“Buyers are ready,” said Shannon Plourde of Keller Williams Integrity Lakes. “It feels more like March right now.” Read more >>

Good News for Home Buyers and Sellers in Latest Sales Data
"The Twin Cities regional housing market started 2015 on an enthusiastic but not overly dramatic note," said the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors. Read more >>

BATC members are the heart and soul of the BATC Foundation!  Join us as we honor our 2014 volunteers and unveil the recipient of our annual "Heart in Housing" hero. KARE 11's Belinda Jensen will be this year's keynote speaker.

When: February 24th at 11:30 am
Where: Golden Valley Country Club
Register here >>

Earn Your CE Credits
Builders, Remodelers and Realtors! School is back in session. Earn your continuing education credits at BATC-U. Courses run through March! Register today!

Complete your NAHB CAPS Designation at BATC-U
The Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation program teaches the technical, business management, and customer service skills essential to competing in the fastest growing segment of the residential remodeling industry: home modifications for the aging-in-place. Register for individual days OR all three, March 17, 18 & 19. Remember, CAPS courses have limited space so please sign up quickly!

February 18
Builder Day at the Capitol
February 19
Job and Career Fair at Mall of America [Info]
February 24
Foundation Annual Recognition Lunch with Belinda Jensen [Register]
February 28 - March 29
Parade of Homes
March 3 - 10
BATC-U Continuing Education [Register]
March 11-12
BATC-U Lead Renovator Refresher [Register]
March 17-19
BATC-U CAPS [Register]
March 27 - 29
Remodelers Showcase
April 2
Builders and Remodelers Show [Register]
July 9
Mid-Year Residential Outlook Breakfast [Register]

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