The Housing First Fund recently launched a series of independent expenditure campaign ads in support of a host of housing champion candidates. The bi-partisan mix of candidates reflects BATC and Housing First’s strategic goal of elevating our industry and growing a caucus of leaders and influencers who support it. We know that housing is centrally important to virtually all Minnesota families, and we know that BATC members are the creators of community, good-paying jobs, and homes for these families. The Housing First Fund campaign will compliment the work of BATC and the Housing First Network, whose year-round issue advocacy work extends far beyond the elections.

Minnesota often leads the country in voter participation. And 2016 marks the first presidential-election year where Minnesotans no longer need an excuse to vote absentee. Simply put, Minnesotans can request an absentee ballot to be mailed to them, or they can vote absentee in-person at their county or local elections office. Let your voice be heard!

Want to learn more about your candidates? Click here for a list of BATC’s Housing First PAC endorsements.

Great First Half!

Reports from the first two weeks of the Parade of Homes have been excellent. We've received a ton of press, too:

- Mega Homes on Channel 12.  Watch here >>
- McDonald Remodeling on FOX 9 Watch here >>
- Carl M Hansen Companies on FOX 9 Watch here >>
- WCCO-TV's Mike Augustyniak tours two homes Watch here >>
- BATC's Katy Baar on KARE 11 Watch here >>

Leadership Institute is Back!

Tuesday kicked off our second ever BATC Leadership Institute. Eighteen students will meet monthly for 10 months to learn how to be better leaders. This year's students are from ABC Millwork & Cabinetry, Accent Homes, Centra Homes, Creative Homes, Distinctive Drywall, Great Northern Builders, Highmark Builders, IDC Automatic, Lee Lyn Construction, Lyman Lumber Company, Michael Lee, Minnesota Rusco, Suburban Dream Homes, and Vujovich Design Build.

Please join our next Roundtable:

MNOSHA Regulations and Overview for builders and remodelers. How to make your work place and job sites safer and avoid those stiff penalties!

Wednesday, October 19, 2016
12:00 noon to 1:30 pm (lunch will be served)

Speaker: Lee Craig, OSHA Principal Safety Investigator

Bring your questions!

Please RSVP by Oct. 14 to Wendy Danks or register below.

Don't Miss the Energy Efficiency Conference

Builders • Remodelers • Building Officials • Suppliers

Tuesday, October 25 • 7:30 am-Noon • $39 per person 

Green Building, High Performance and Building Science
Presented by Peter Yost 
How Green Building, High Performance and Building Science relate—and how to use them in a different ways with your crews and trades.

Peter Yost is a principal and VP of Technical Services with BuildingGreen, Inc. in Brattleboro, VT. He has been building, researching, teaching, writing, and consulting on high performance buildings for more than 25 years. His expertise includes advanced framing, energy efficiency and building durability. In 2014, Peter was awarded NAHB Educator of the Year Award.

The morning also includes breakfast and a forum on changes in energy programs by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint. 

3 Hours of Continuing Education Credit: MN Contractor (including energy), WI Contractor, MN Real Estate, MN Building Official

September 10 - Oct. 2
Parade of Homes
September 30 - Oct. 2
Remodelers Showcase
October 4
Clay Shoot [Register]
October 19
Small Volume Builders & Remodelers Roundtable [Register]
October 20
The BIG Night [Register]
October 25
Green Path Energy Efficiency Conference [Register]
October 27
Member Volunteer Day [Register]
November 10
Member Kickstart [Register]
November 17
BATC Buck Auction [Register]
 

For a complete list of events, visit our website at www.batc.org