2 minute read
From the President, Allen Ream
A PUBLICATION OF
1717 11th Ave / Helena, Montana 406.442.4479 www.montanabia.com
ON THE COVER
Treasure State Builders photos by Wandering Albatross Photography
DESIGN BY
1131 Poplar St / Helena, Montana www.edgemarketingdesign.com
FROM THE PRESIDENT
We can accomplish much this year for the industry and association! I am asking each Montana Building Industry Association (MBIA) member to contact a local non-member business and talk to them about the many benefits of membership and how they have access to benefits to build a better business.
By becoming a member, if they use Montana State Fund for their work comp, businesses can join the free GRIP program, which has the potential for them to receive money back. By becoming a member, businesses can receive discounts from 20 plus national companies. By becoming a member, businesses help support the fight at the Capitol on bills concerning the Home Building Industry— such as the bill on banning inclusionary zoning and the bill prohibiting state building codes from requiring mandatory fire sprinklers, that MBIA strongly supported and due to members’ robust and effective effort, the bills passed. MBIA also reviewed and took action on 70 plus other bills. By becoming a member, businesses have access to hundreds of educational webinars with NAHB—courses are live and on-demand to fit your schedule.
With the current labor shortage in the trades, educating our youth and young adults with trades programs is more important than ever. MBIA is committed to supporting construction programs in our schools throughout the state with current successful programs and promoting the addition of new programs.
I want to personally thank Steve Snezek for the work he has put forth as our executive director. Steve has been a valued proponent of our industry and association for the past several years. Steve has worked hard for MBIA during difficult and prosperous times. Thank you, Steve!
Thank you, Rob Martin, for your service as president last year. Thank you to the entire MBIA board. Thank you to our long-time government affairs chair, Tom Murphy—you will be missed!
We will continue to oppose added unnecessary government regulation. Regulatory costs already account for 25% of the cost of a new home, and those costs are on the rise. If the government increases regulatory compliance costs and causes costly delays for businesses, then the affordability crisis will get even worse. MBIA is actively engaged in helping maintain a building environment that is conducive to our members’ businesses. We are fighting for you so you can provide housing for montana’s hard-working families.
As I tell my team at Montana Heritage Home Builders, we are helping people achieve the American dream! We are community builders! MBIA brings people from across the industry together to work on issues, including labor shortages, and ensures a business and regulatory environment that allows us to provide homes for the people of Montana. I want you to remember that you are a part of helping people achieve the American dream. I want you to take a moment and think about the purpose you, via the industry, are serving!
Thank you for the honor of being your president this year. I look forward to this coming year and am excited for the future of our industry and association. Let’s work together to strengthen the industry and association! Let’s get to work!
Thank you, ALLEN REAM, CGB, CGP, GMB, MBIA PRESIDENT
