Category Archives: News

HBA urges N.D. Senate to reconsider actions on HB 1020 concerning F-M Area Diversion Project funding, asks Fargo citizens to mobilize

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April 17, 2013 – Yesterday, the North Dakota Senate approved an amendment to House Bill 1020 (by a 24 – 23 vote) that requires the federal government to appropriate its $800 million in funding before the state approves money for the F-M Area Diversion Project. The bill contains the state’s Water Commission budget, which passed 44-3 after the amendment was approved.

Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead Executive Vice President Bryce Johnson says, “On behalf of our nearly 800 member companies, we are calling on the Senate to reconsider their actions yesterday and revisit the vote. North Dakota must take the first step in funding the Diversion project and protect its own citizens!”

The bill allows $450 million in state funding for the diversion project, but it can only be used for levee and dike protection until the full federal share of the cost is appropriated by Congress.

Johnson says, “The local share of funding is being provided over a 20-year sales tax, and the state’s share of the cost would be funded over several biennium. It’s outlandish to ask the federal government to fully fund its share.”

The Diversion project has the second highest economic benefit rating in the country, and the federal government has shown its support by spending nearly $30 million on study and flood protection work over the last four years.

“The Legislature’s actions so far regarding HB 1020 are clearly not supporting the Fargo area and the 200,000 people who live here,” she says. “They are essentially putting our citizens in harm’s way of a historic flood. The divisiveness in our Legislature is very disheartening. This project will protect one out of five North Dakotans. Our Fargo residents should be up in arms and mobilizing to contact their Legislators, especially Senators, about this bill.”

Find your Senator here:

https://www.legis.nd.gov/lcn/assembly/constituentViews/public/findmylegislator.htm

Talking points

  • Ask Senators to reconsider the amendment placed on HB 1020 to show the citizens of Fargo that their state supports protection of their homes, businesses and livelihoods.
  • The Diversion is the only plan that can provide 100-year protection.
  • 200,000 people live within the Diversion’s protection.
  • 100-year protection is needed to eliminate new FEMA flood insurance requirements that could eventually cost some Fargo homeowners holding a mortgage $10,000 to $12,000 per year in premiums.

The HBA of F-M and several business partners including the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber, F-M Area Association of Realtors and the Greater Fargo-Moorhead Economic Development Corporation support permanent flood protection for the F-M metro market. Community leaders believe that the Diversion needs to be in place if our area is going to remain a viable, growing community with a strong economy. It is vital for attracting larger businesses and industries that provide good income opportunities and attract families and homes.

Construction Trades Academy slated for June 3-14 at MN State Community and Technical College

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Students work on steel stud framing during the 2012 Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades.

The Herdina Academy for Construction Trades will be June 3-14, 2013, at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead. The two-week session runs 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and a certified instructor supervises activities.

The Academy is open to North Dakota and Minnesota high school students ages 15 and older. Enrollment is limited! Students who successfully complete the Academy will earn three college credits from M State. The credits can be used for the carpentry, plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning, or mechanical CAD programs at M State. Find out more by calling (701) 232-5846, emailing info@hbafm.com, visiting www.hbcfm.com or visiting www.facebook.com/TradesAcademy.

The Academy, now in its 16th year, will be held at M State for the seventh year. M State’s campus offers a myriad of opportunities to expose participants to the many specialty occupations within the construction industry including: blueprint reading, carpentry, casework, concrete, drywall, electrical, excavation, HVAC, masonry, plumbing and more. Students will work side-by-side with industry and education professionals, learning about occupations, tools, safety requirements and skills required for satisfying and well-paying careers. They participate in classroom and hands-on learning, with the opportunity to experience first-hand how residential and commercial buildings are constructed.

Student-built sheds will be available for sale through the 2013 Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades. Prices start at around $1,750 for an 8’ x 12’ shed. Contact Dave Kraemer at (218) 299-6912 or david.kraemer@minnesota.edu before May 15 if you are interested in pre-ordering. Limited customization is possible. Sheds will be complete by July and proceeds from the sale will be used to support the academy in the future.

Sponsorship of the Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades is provided by: M State-Moorhead, Home Builders Association of F-M and its charitable organization, Home Builders Care of Fargo-Moorhead Foundation.

A $500 scholarship from the Home Builders Care of Fargo-Moorhead Foundation will be awarded to an outstanding student who completes the Academy and plans to enroll in a construction-related field at M State-Moorhead or North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton. M State’s Foundation will offer a $1,000 scholarship and NDSCS will offer a $500 scholarship.

Parade of Homes set to showcase 74 new homes, 41 Builders

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The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead is proud to announce its Spring Parade of Homes running nine days: April 27-May 5. Sponsored by Marvin Windows & Doors, the Parade covers two weekends for consumer convenience. Hours are noon-5 p.m. weekends and 6:30-8:30 p.m. weekdays. It will showcase 74 newly constructed homes by 41 HBA of F-M Builder members.

Admission is free, and the event will be a scattered-site tour of homes throughout Dilworth, Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo. Homes will cover all price ranges, including options for those age 55 and better, first-time buyers, people needing more space and those wanting to downsize.

Magazine Details

Parade of Homes magazine featuring 74 new homes will be available April 22 at all Hornbacher’s stores.

Parade of Homes magazines detailing each home entry will be available at all Hornbacher’s stores April 22-May 5. The magazine will be a full-color, glossy publication with a half page dedicated to each home entry. Homes will be represented in full color, with 3-D renderings. Builders also have an option to include a floor plan with home listings. The magazine will include a detailed map to each Parade entry, as well as a condensed listing of all homes entered in the event. An insert with home listings will be published in The Forum April 21.

Web Details

Consumers may access the Parade online at www.hbafm.com beginning April 22. The interactive website will allow consumers to browse homes, view maps and look for builders.

A free Parade application for Apple devices such as the iPhone, iPod and iPad is also available at www.hbafm.com.

Featured Homes

Each year, HBA members volunteer Parade of Homes entries priced $500,000 and higher to be “featured” homes in a fundraising effort to support their industry, Association and charity. Look for more details on featured homes in the event magazine or at www.hbafm.com April 22. The cost is $5 to all featured homes. Money raised will go to Home Builders Care of Fargo-Moorhead Foundation, the HBA’s charitable foundation. It supports skill training, education and projects related to the housing industry.

Call the HBA of F-M at (701) 232-5846 or visit www.hbafm.com for more information on this event.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of just under 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. Its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Remodeled Home Tour, Red River Valley Home & Garden Show and Fall Home Show.

HBA hosts keynote on generational differences in the workplace

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On March 14, the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead will host a public keynote session on generational differences in the workplace, followed by a brief update from city leaders in the F-M metro area and a networking social.

The keynote, titled “The End of Work As We Know It: How Y Will Change Everything,” will be delivered by Sarah Sladek, XYZ University. It will cover what the generational shift from Baby Boomers to Generations X, Y and Z means for organizations and companies, and offers recommendations for an effective response plan.

Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, 201 5th St. N., Fargo. The keynote commences at 4 p.m. Attendees will hear a brief update from F-M metro city leaders at 5:15 p.m., and a networking social with cash bar and hors d’oeuvres will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sponsored by Starion Financial, the event is open to HBA of F-M member and non-members. Pre-registration is encouraged: call the HBA of F-M at (701) 232-5846 or visit www.hbafm.com to view a flyer with pricing details.

Sarah Sladek, XYZ University, will present a keynote session March 14 titled “The End of Work As We Know It: How Y Will Change Everything.”

More about the speaker

Sladek launched XYZ University in 2008 to help organizations bridge generation and talent gaps. Today, it remains one of the only companies in the U.S. dedicated to the generational topic and helping organizations sustain by staying relevant to, and engaging the participation of, Generations X, Y and Z.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of just under 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. Its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Remodeled Home Tour, Red River Valley Home & Garden Show and Fall Home Show.

Home Builders Association releases 2012 building permit report reflecting sharp increases in nearly all categories

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2013 Home & Garden Show

The HBA of F-M released its 2012 year-end building permit report at the 2013 Home & Garden Show Feb. 22. The show was sold out!

The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead released its 2012 year-end building permit report for Dilworth, Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo during a press conference Feb. 22. The press conference was held during set- up for the Red River Valley Home & Garden Show.

Total value of all construction activity in the F-M metro area saw an increase of $195 million dollars in 2012, which is 34 percent more than 2011. Total housing construction value went up 38 percent; this includes single-family, twin-home, row/town house and duplex construction. In fact, all categories, except commercial remodeling, experienced an increase in value over 2011.

Along with the increase in total construction value, three of the four metro cities experienced an uptick in housing permits and housing construction value. All said, total housing starts climbed from 612 in 2011 to 945 in 2012, a 35 percent increase. At 760 permits, single-family construction was at its highest level since 2005: West Fargo more than doubled its permits while Fargo and Dilworth saw 25-percent and 6-percent increases respectively over 2011. Moorhead’s total housing starts slipped from 105 to 87 in 2012; however, twin-home construction, which is part of those numbers, doubled from the previous year. Total construction permits increased by 6 percent as well, while remodeling projects remained fairly steady.

Multi-family numbers continue an upward trend since 2010: total construction value increased nearly 45 percent over 2011 and total number of permits went up 37 percent.

HBA President Darrick Guthmiller, Kochmann Brothers Homes, Inc., said, “This is the best overall year-end permit report that we have seen since before 2008, when the nation began experiencing its economic troubles and the F-M area was seeing repeated flooding issues. Our total housing starts are back up to 2006-2007 levels, reflecting the great opportunities we have by living in stable communities and taking advantage of low interest rates. In fact, our Home & Garden Show is sold out and enthusiasm is high for another great building season.”

He pointed out that our community is doing well, but it could be doing much better, “It is time to act to provide permanent flood protection that allows our community to grow and create jobs. Just because it’s drier this year doesn’t mean permanent flood protection isn’t needed. It is not just a yearly goal. A long-term plan is needed.”

Each quarter, the HBA compiles the building permits from Dilworth, Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo into a uniform report for the industry’s and media’s use. It includes summaries for each city, types of construction, valuations and comparisons to the past four years, as well as comparisons to five-year and 20-year averages.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of almost 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. In addition to the Home & Garden Show, its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Fall Home Show and Remodeled Home Tour. For more information, visit www.hbafm.com.

Habitat for Humanity home is area’s first to achieve National Green Building Standard bronze level

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The Home Builders Care Build for Habitat in north Fargo generated the first home in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area to qualify for the National Green Building Standard.

The Home Builders Care Build for Habitat in north Fargo generated the first home in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area to qualify for the National Green Building Standard. This Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity build was sponsored by Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead and its charity, Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation. The house was finished in September, and a dedication ceremony was held last month.

The International Codes Council 700 National Green Building Standard is the first and only residential green building rating system to undergo the full consensus process and receive approval from the American National Standards Institute. The standard defines green building for single- and multi-family homes, residential remodeling projects, and site development projects while still allowing for the flexibility required for regionally-appropriate best green practices.

Certification to the standard is provided by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center. For residential buildings, four threshold levels – Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Emerald – allow builders to quantify and qualify green building at all levels. At the Emerald level, the highest rating for a residential green building, a building must incorporate energy savings of 60 percent or more. To qualify for Bronze, a home must be at least 15 percent better than the 2006 IECC.

To comply with the standard, a builder or remodeler must incorporate a minimum number of features in the following areas:

  • lot and site development;
  • energy, water, and resource efficiency;
  • indoor environmental quality;
  • and home owner education.

For more information on the standard, visit www.nahbgreen.org.

LAHFH is a locally-run affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization. The local affiliate was established in 1991 and is dedicated to building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Cass and Clay counties. In 2012, LAHFH will complete its 47th home. For more information, visit www.lakeagassizhabitat.org or follow it on facebook: facebook.com/lakeagassizhabitat.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of almost 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. Its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Red River Valley Home & Garden Show, Fall Home Show and Remodeled Home Tour. For more information, visit www.hbafm.com.

Home Builders Association’s third-quarter building permit report shows highest construction value ever

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The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead released its 2012 third-quarter building permit report for Dilworth, Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo during a press conference today. The construction industry in the Fargo-Moorhead area is at a record-setting pace so far.

According to the report, total construction value is nearly $434 million, which is the highest ever posted through the first three quarters of the year. The previous high was at $428 million in 2006.

“What fantastic news! It is so exciting to see busy job sites and smiling faces of those working in the home building industry,” says HBA President Terry Becker, Terry Becker Construction, LLC. “After years of flooding and a shaky national economy, it is clear the industry is on a healthy trajectory again.”

Residential construction is also moving at a scorching pace, posting the highest number of housing starts in five years. Through September, the F-M area has posted 732 housing starts. This pace is up 29 percent from the same time period in 2011. (Housing starts include single-family, twin home and row houses.)

Housing starts are up dramatically in Fargo and West Fargo:

  • Fargo is up 59 percent (325 starts – of which 242 are single-family permits);
  • West Fargo is more than double last year’s numbers (322 starts – of which 264 are single-family permits).

Moorhead is on-pace or slightly ahead of where it was a year before. The city saw 73 housing starts through third quarter both this year and last, and its single-family permits are up 22 percent so far this year.

Click here to watch video of the press conference.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of almost 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. Its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Red River Valley Home & Garden Show, Fall Home Show and Remodeled Home Tour. For more information, visit www.hbafm.com.

Anderson, Lunski receive Home Builders Association’s highest honors

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The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead announces Dave Anderson, Dave Anderson Construction, as the recipient of its 2012 Builder of the Year award, and Sylvia Lunski as the recipient of its 2012 Associate of the Year award. These awards are presented each fall to recognize one outstanding Builder and Associate member for effort and work expended in the interest of his or her fellow members, Association and community. As a recipient of the Fargo-Moorhead Associate of the Year award, Anderson and Lunski will be included in a state-wide competition judged by the North Dakota Association of Builders. Winners will be announced at NDAB’s annual meeting in November in Fargo.

More about Anderson… 

2011 HBA of F-M Builder of the Year Jason Eid, Eid-Co Buildings, Inc., (right) presents Dave Anderson, Dave Anderson Construction, with the 2012 HBA of F-M Builder of the Year Award.

Owner of Dave Anderson Construction, Anderson became involved with the HBA of F-M after volunteering for its first handicap accessibility ramp build in 1997. Anderson served as HBA president in 2005 and received the HBA’s Builder of the Year award in 2002. This year, he serves as Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation president, and has been active on that board since 2008.

Anderson was integral in the Home Builders Care Build for Habitat that was completed in September, both in planning the project and working on the jobsite. He holds the Certified Green Professional designation, serves on the Education Committee, volunteers for the Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades, helps with the Health, Tech & Trades Career Expo, and serves on the HBC Scholarship Committee and Remodelers Council.

HBA Executive Vice President Bryce Johnson says, “Dave is a caring person who became involved with the HBA to help the community, give back and learn more about his building industry peers. He is always there to help, hands-on, with the various community construction projects we coordinate. Over the years, he has also taken on many leadership roles in the highest offices of the HBA and HBC. His involvement with events and opportunities to attract youth to the building industry is second-to-none. His patience and willingness to work with students as they find their career path is refreshing to see.”

Besides being active in the HBA of F-M, Anderson enjoys spending time with his wife, Lenay, and their grown children Josh (wife Lisa), Marissa (husband Adam) and their grandchildren Aaron and Hugo. He is active with Lake Agassiz Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together.

More about Lunski… 

2011 HBA of F-M Associate of the Year John Koerselman, Red River Drywall & Painting Services, Inc., presents Sylvia Lunski, Design Direction, Inc., with the 2012 HBA of F-M Associate of the Year award.

Lunski owns Design Direction, Inc., which has been a member since 2006, though Lunski has been involved with the HBA for over 15 years through other employers. She serves on the HBA board of directors as associate vice president. She has been active with the Remodelers Council for six years and regularly helps with community service projects. Within the past few years, Lunski has become engaged in the HBA’s legislative efforts and is a Century Club contributor to the North Dakota Association of Builders political action committee (NDAB-PAC). Lunski supports the HBA of F-M’s charity, Home Builders Care of F-M Foundation, is an advocate for membership growth through the Spike Club and exhibits in the Red River Valley Home & Garden Show and the Fall Home Show. She was also nominated for Associate of the Year in 2010 and 2011.

HBA Executive Vice President Bryce Johnson says, “Sylvia continually impresses members and staff with sincerity, and dedication to the HBA’s core mission of advocacy and being a voice for the building industry. She is willing to work behind-the-scenes to make things happen and her heartfelt commitment to her fellow members and our mission is amazing.”

Away from the HBA, Lunski enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their grown children Sarah (husband Tony), Jason and Ryan. She is a member of the FMAM Rotary Club, volunteers at Sts. Anne and Joachim Church, is a member of the North Dakota Interior Designers and served as a house captain for Rebuilding Together.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of just under 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. The North Dakota Association of Builders is made up of six local associations across the state with nearly 2,000 members, and is affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders. NAHB is a building trade association based in Washington, D.C., with over 140,000 members nationwide.

HBA of F-M first in U.S. for membership achievement

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HBA of F-M Executive Vice President Bryce Johnson, NAHB Membership Committee Chairperson John Miranda and HBA of F-M Associate Vice President Sylvia Lunski, Design Direction, Inc., with the cup that will be displayed at upcoming NAHB board meetings.

The National Association of Home Builders has recognized the Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead with one of its top national honors, the 2011 NAHB Cup for Outstanding Membership Achievement.

The award annually recognizes the home builders association that achieves the highest combined ranking in membership growth and retention in the country. Finalists were identified from seven different membership size categories, and invited to submit their membership plan for consideration to be named the overall winner.

The HBA of F-M also received this prestigious award in 2005 and 2010.

HBA of F-M President Terry Becker, Terry Becker Construction, LLC, says, “Membership is an organization-wide commitment, with our staff and members constantly promoting HBA benefits to prospective and existing members. Our staff works as a team with our board and committees to keep the HBA strong and growing. We are truly honored to receive this award from NAHB.”

HBA of F-M earned a finalist berth with a combined score of 77.48 percent, which reflects both membership renewals and recruitment of new members. It was singled out for the top honor after judges evaluated its strategically executed and thoroughly documented membership plan that reflected a comprehensive, member service-focused approach.

HBA of F-M’s name will be engraved on the cup, which will be displayed at upcoming NAHB board of directors meetings. The Association received a plaque to display in its office.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of almost 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. Its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Red River Valley Home & Garden Show, Fall Home Show and Remodeled Home Tour. For more information, visit www.hbafm.com.

NAHB is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association. Founded in 1942, it is a federation of more than 140,000 members and their employees. It strives to improve housing affordability, availability and choice and exists to represent the home building industry by serving its members and affiliated state and local builders associations.

Home Builders Association’s second-quarter building permit report shows strongest numbers since 2007

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The Home Builders Association of Fargo-Moorhead released its 2012 second-quarter building permit report for Dilworth, Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo during a press conference today.

The construction industry in the Fargo-Moorhead area is off to its strongest start since 2007. Total construction value for the second quarter is over $263 million, which is up almost $100 million from the previous year. Housing start totals are up 90 percent from the number during the same time in 2011.

At its Spring Board of Directors meeting in Washington, D.C., the National Association of Home Builders acknowledged the F-M area as having a 48.6 percent or greater increase in building permits; it was also one of the few areas in the country that experienced an increase in housing value. Click for NAHB’s slides: NAHB Slides

“After three years of flooding and a shaky national economy, it is refreshing to see the home building industry thriving again and crews busy on jobsites,” said HBA of F-M President Terry Becker, Terry Becker Construction, LLC.

Moorhead, Fargo and West Fargo each saw a large increase in housing starts compared to last year: West Fargo made the biggest jump, from 69 to 178; Fargo, from 104 to 172; and Moorhead, from 27 to 44 starts in 2012. Along with new housing, both total permit numbers and construction values increased for residential remodeling, new commercial and commercial remodeling.

“The industry still faces some large hurdles in upcoming flood insurance mandates and the long wait for permanent flood protection,” Becker says. “But with our strong local economy, the housing needs are prevalent and that’s a good thing because we are putting people to work and creating jobs.” Currently, there are many great reasons to buy or build.

  • It’s a buyer’s market.
  • Interest rates are extremely low.
  • The area has a wide variety of houses and developments.
  • Home values are steady locally, showing that buying a house is a great investment.
  • Local banks have money to lend.
  • There are great housing incentives available: When buying or building a new home you can save $5,000 in Fargo and West Fargo. There are also incentives for down payment, closing cost and financing assistance as well as remodeling. Check out www.hbafm.com and the “housing incentives” section for more details.

The HBA of F-M is a non-profit trade association of almost 800 members that has been in existence since 1956. Its mission is to provide quality services, benefits and education to members and the community while representing the collective interests of the home building industry. Its public events include the Spring Parade of Homes, Fall Parade of Homes, Red River Valley Home & Garden Show, Fall Home Show and Remodeled Home Tour. For more information, visit www.hbafm.com.