west michigan builder - hbaggr · mike mlnarik of rivertown landscapes builder vice president allen...

Handlon Correctional Facility (MTU) – Vocational Village, and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and the Veterans Employment Services Workforce Development Agency.

Jen Schottke, Director of Workforce Development & External Affairs at ABC Western Michigan, will moderate - Training & Hiring Resources. Panelists will review quality training programs and resources designed by construction and area employment professionals, available to support your company’s growth. Express Employment Professionals, Grand Rapids Community College Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC Center, Residential Job Training Programs and Construction

Workforce Development Alliance Classes, Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids, Literacy Center of West Michigan, Spring GR, West Michigan Works! will showcase the support systems in place to help get your employees trained to complete their assigned tasks.

The final panel, Reaching the Next Generation, is moderated by Todd Peuler, Director of Recruitment and Training for Fox Brothers. Panelists will demonstration how taking time now will help promote the residential construction trades industry and lead to future employees for your company. Bethany

Christian Services YouthBuild and Center for Community Transformation, Construction Workforce Development Alliance and MiCareerQuest, Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center and Home Builders Institute, Grand Rapids Community College Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC Center Summer Camps & Programming, Grand Rapids Public Schools Academy of Design and Construction, Grand Rapids Urban League, and Kent ISD will discuss programs in place to help train the next generation and how local businesses can get involved.

Reach outside of the traditional hiring box and learn what the Grand Rapids area is already doing to address workforce development challenges and how you can take advantage of the various services and programs. To register for the Connecting Outside the Box summit visit myGRhome.com.

HBA ANNOUNCES CONNECT OUTSIDE THE BOX SUMMIT NOVEMBER 10

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF GREATER GRAND RAPIDSSERVING KENT, OTTAWA, IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES

W EST MICHIGAN

BUILDER

In response to employee shortage concerns in the residential construction trades, the HBA Next Gen/Workforce Development committee is organizing and hosting Connect Outside the Box, a hiring resources event in partnership with West Michigan Works! on Thursday, November 10 at West Michigan Works! at 215 Straight Ave NW. This summit is designed to showcase both traditional and alternative ways to recruit, train and retain employees for your business.

“While traditional ways of finding employees like word of mouth and job boards are still viable it’s getting harder to find workers,” says Andy Lofgren, Executive Officer for the HBA. “The Connect Outside the Box hiring event will introduce our members to more than 20 local organizations and programs that can help them find and assist with training the right people for their open positions and reach out to the next generation of potential employees.”

The summit is divided into three separate panel discussions with a moderator who is familiar with the program benefits. Registration and a continental breakfast start at 7:30am followed by three panels and a networking lunch from noon to 1:00pm. Registration is free for all HBA members, guests are $25.00. To register visit myGRhome.com.

Mike Dykstra, President and CEO of Zeeland Lumber will moderate the first panel, Innovative, Barrier Removing Employment Programs and Community Supports. During this panel, leaders of local organizations with employment and support programs designed to help remove barriers for employees will describe creative ways to connect with potential employees, give you an idea of how to find subcontractors now and innovative hiring programs. Organizations represented include: 30-2-2, Criminal Justice Chaplaincy, Employment Services Collaborative (ESC), Grand Rapids Urban League, Guiding Light Ministries Back-to-Work Program, Grand Rapids African American Health Institute, Michigan Department of Corrections Richard A.

CONNECT OUTSIDE THE B

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HIRING RESO

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RESIDENTIA

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016 | WEST MICHIGAN BUILDER

www.myGRhome.com Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids2

MESSAGE FROM THE MEMBERSHIP DESK

The Future’s So Bright I Gotta Wear ShadesI was flipping around the radio the other day and came across that old song by the one-hit wonder, Timbuk 3, and my thoughts (besides 30 years passed quickly) turned to Grand Rapids and our HBA. In the past, I have had jobs where I told people that I get paid to tell you that the glass is half full. While I tend to be optimistic by nature, it is an exciting time to live in West Michigan and to be part of the HBA. As you have probably read, there has been no shortage of positive stories about the Grand Rapids economy and housing market in recent months. Several publications have consistently ranked the Grand Rapids area a great place to live and work. We may complain that we don’t see the sun enough so maybe shades are not, literally, needed every day, but many signs point to brighter days ahead too.Last year at the Annual Award Gala, we shared with you what was in store for 2016. With just a few months left this year, it is not too early to see how did.Continued Growth in Housing ConstructionInformation obtained by Builder Tracks and the Census Bureau show that permits and starts are up significantly so far this year. Total starts in 2015 were 3,800 and I expect that number to rise to 4,700 in 2016.

Expanded Educational OfferingsThis year we started both the “Grow” series held at Founders Brewery and the “Know” series held at Zeeland Lumber. Both series have been well received and well attended. Planning for 2017 is underway. Premier Spring and Fall HBA Parade of HomesThe number of entries, ticket sales and attendance was up for both the Spring and Fall Parades this year. We added the new 3D virtual tours and expanded on the Shop the Parade feature, as well.Membership Growth to Over 600This was maybe a bit overly optimistic, but we are now over 550 and continue to grow. Our retention rate for Builder and Associate members is back over 80 percent.More Fun GatheringsThis year we had more happy hours, went to see a White Caps game, toured several brew pubs, trained and participated in the 0.1 micro run, and raised some money for a good cause at Home and Hearth and the Clay Shoot.Of course, none of this would be possible without the continued support of our members, our sponsors, our committees, our board, and a dedicated staff. Thank you!

Andy LofgrenExecutive Officer

Andy LofgrenHBAGGR Executive Officer

2016 HBAGGR OFFICERS & DIRECTORSOFFICERS

President Josh Berghuis of Berghuis Construction LLC Associate Vice President Mike Mlnarik of Rivertown LandscapesBuilder Vice PresidentAllen Harig of Interra HomesSecretary / Treasurer Larry Berghorst, L.B. & L.B. Construction, Inc.

DIRECTORSScott Branc of New Urban Home Builders Paula DeHaan of p.a. dehaan llcBrandyn Deckinga of Habitat For Humanity of Kent CountyDave Dusendang of Dave Dusendang Custom Homes, Inc. Jack Katerberg of Jack K. Katerberg, BuilderRowdy Lapham of Evermore FloorsTom Ralya of BuiltViewCurtis Visser of J. Visser Design

Home Builders Association of Greater Grand Rapids www.myGRhome.com 3

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER | WEST MICHIGAN BUILDER

HBA MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

DIRECTORSScott Branc of New Urban Home Builders Paula DeHaan of p.a. dehaan llcBrandyn Deckinga of Habitat For Humanity of Kent CountyDave Dusendang of Dave Dusendang Custom Homes, Inc. Jack Katerberg of Jack K. Katerberg, BuilderRowdy Lapham of Evermore FloorsTom Ralya of BuiltViewCurtis Visser of J. Visser Design

HOMEBUILDER BUYS OFFICE BUILDINGPat Evans | GRBJ.com

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – A local homebuilder has a new headquarters.Redstone Homes has purchased a 4,800-square-foot office building in Grand Rapids, at 3330 Grand Ridge Dr. NE, according to NAI Wisinski of West Michigan yesterday. read more..... goo.gl/r7s4KG

ASSOCIATION NAMES EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION WINNERS Pat Evans | Grand Rapids Business Journal

At the 30th-annual Excellence in Construction Awards this week at New Vintage Place in Grand Rapids, the Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan Chapter, or ABC/WMC, presented dozens of awards, including the Safety Award of Excellence and Craft Professional of the Year. read more... http://goo.gl/7xsSdW

CREDIT UNION’S REBRANDING PLAYS ON STATE’S OUTDOOR ACTIVITIESPat Evans | Grand Rapids Business Journal After 80 years in business, Option 1 Credit Union wanted to better prepare for its future. Earlier this summer, Option 1 rebranded to Adventure Credit Union, a move that includes a full image overhaul within its existing and new branches, said Jerri Schmidt, vice president of marketing at Adventure read more... http://goo.gl/YEL9Aa

WEST MICHIGAN PRODUCES 27 OF FASTEST-GROWING PRIVATE COMPANIES IN US Jesse O’Brien | GRBJ.comGRAND RAPIDS, MI - A local financial services firm is the No. 15 fastest-growing private company in the nation — heading up the 27 West Michigan companies named to Inc. magazine’s “500|5000” ranking.read more... http://goo.gl/umnOUz

ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATION NAMES AWARD WINNERSPat Evans | Grand Rapids Business Journal The local architecture industry recently honored some of its best firms, projects and people at an awards gala.The American Institute of Architects Grand Rapids hosted its annual Honor Awards last week at the Bissell Treehouse at John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids. read more...http://goo.gl/u1tTPY

FINDING TALENT REMAINS CHALLENGING FOR WEST MICHIGAN CONTRACTORSNick Manes | MIBizGRAND RAPIDS — Despite ongoing concerns about a talent gap, employment in West Michigan’s construction industry

continues to rise. Total regional employment in the industry grew to 26,570 people in 2015, up 4.6 percent over the previous year, according to a September study released by Grand Rapids-based Talent 2025 Inc. Employment growth in the building and construction trades actually outpaced other leading regional

industries, including manufacturing, health care, agriculture and food processing, energy and I.T. read more... http://goo.gl/j3UU4h

PARADE OF HOMES BUILDER SPENT MONTHS CREATING DRY BASEMENT FOR THIS LAKEFRONT LUXURY HOMEJim Harger | MLIVE GRAND RAPIDS, MI — When homebuilder Joel Peterson was hired to build a six-bedroom lakefront house on the eastern

shore of Bostwick Lake, he had several limitations to overcome.Building height restrictions, a small lot and a high water table limited Peterson’s ability to build up, out or down around the popular inland lake half an hour northeast of Grand Rapids.read more... http://goo.gl/rcBWN

WE WANT TO SHARE Y OUR SUCCESS STORIES WITH THE MEMBERSHIP...SEND A LINK TO YOUR STORY TO [email protected] AND WE’LL PASS IT ALONG.



U PCOMING EVENTS & EDUCATION

November 7-9 | 8a-5pNovember 14-15 | 8a-5pNovember 16 | 8a-5p

Fee: $899*

*If 10 students or more register for course, the fee will be discounted to $699.

Become an HBAGGR member receive a $100 discount on the course.

HBA TO OFFER 60-HOUR PRELICENSE COURSENeed A Builders’ License?

The first step in obtaining your Michigan Builders’ License is to prepare for the state mandated test by taking the required 60 hour pre-license class. This small classroom setting will provide you with the information necessary to reach your goal of getting a builders license.

The course includes the option to attend the Certified Lead Renovator Course.

Instructor: Ed Wenz, Michigan Certified Instructor

Location: HBA office 3959 Clay Ave SW, Wyoming, MI

Want to check your continuing education credits? Contact Priscilla Lyon at (616) 281-2021 ext.252 or by email at [email protected]

Enjoy Luau fun, food, dancing, and a photo booth!

See the latest products and services of HBA Associate members at the pre-awards expo, and shop the specials for the 2017 HBA Parade of Homes!

Both business casual and Hawaiian attire are welcomed!

Time: 5:30 - 9:30pmLocation: Studio D2D

Register at myGRhome.com.

AWARDS CELEBRATION - NOVEMBER 3

Ever wonder how the successful builders are making it happen? Come have breakfast, learn and discuss best practices and “how-to” for pre-construction process, handling difficult clients, money flow and more from industry veterans. Know Your Business series is designed as a Panel presentation with peer-to-peer question and answer discussions.

Location: Zeeland Lumber 5836 Clay Ave SW, Wyoming,

Time: 7:30-9 am.

Space is limited so register early.

Register on-line at www.mygrhome.com or contact Pat Lewis at 616.281.2021 x254 or [email protected]

2016 “KNOW” YOUR BUSINESS EDUCATION SERIES - NOVEMBER 8

How to Get Control of Your Trade Contractors & SuppliersDo you have proper scopes of work and quality control checklists? Do you use a subcontractor agreement? Do you provide the right information? How do you pay?

Presenter: Michael McGraw of Eastbrook Homes



With elections right around the corner, tax proposals are surfacing like mushrooms after a rainstorm. While we can all agree that the current tax code is a disaster, the most recent proposals regrettably range from just bad to positively dreadful. Why? They are political documents designed to attract voters -- not tax policy experts and economists! With this in mind, I offer several key principles that should be generally followed in any successful tax reform.

The primary goal of taxation is to raise revenue while causing the least economic damage possible. This means broadening the tax base. Think about it; if the only thing we taxed was oregano, we would all stop buying oregano. If, however, we taxed all spices equally, there would be no reason to avoid oregano, but there would be a strong incentive to eat bland food and smuggle in spices. But if we

TAX REFORM DONE RIGHTtax everything equally, then you have no incentive to alter your behavior as you cannot reduce your taxes. Better yet, as you broaden the base, you will be able to lower tax rates and still collect the same amount of revenue. Of course, this means doing away with most deductions, credits and exclusions, including tax breaks for charitable donations, employer-provided health insurance and state and local income taxes.

The next step involves simplification. Most taxpayers resent the fact that the rich hire clever accountants and lawyers, thus reducing their tax payment to nothing or next-to-nothing. This is corrosive behavior, creating distrust of the entire system

across the political spectrum. Moreover, simplifying our 75,000-page federal tax code would cause entrepreneurs to think harder about how to make more money and grow their businesses, not on which lobbyists and lawyers to hire and how many racehorses to buy, all of which are unproductive activities. Tax simplification means doing away with the corporate income tax and all the insane

rules regarding investment expensing, depreciation schedules, repatriation of profits, tax-deductibility of debt, R&D tax credits and so on.

Third, tax consumption -- not savings. When the government taxes savings, income, interest payments, dividends, capital gains, wealth and even inheritances (but we can argue about that one), it reduces the incentive to save, invest in new plant and equipment, and, most critically, take financial risks. Recognizing this, the government already allows for health-savings accounts, IRAs, life-insurance exemptions and a multitude of trusts that the rich use to shelter wealth and avoid inheritance taxes. Why not let everyone do it without having to jump through any hoops? While consumption taxes such as sales taxes or value added taxes may sound regressive, they need not be. Consumption by the wealthy can be taxed at a higher rate than consumption by the poor. In this way, the tax code can remain progressive. Moreover, as the consumption tax will be based on the difference between what you earn and what you save, this plan will discourage hiding assets offshore, giving our economy yet another boost!

The last time the tax code was reformed was during President Reagan’s second term; roughly 30 years ago! We are clearly overdue. While reaching a compromise that both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue will agree to will be tough, if done as outlined above, it will boost GDP growth and improve living standards. Congress, get going!

2016 YEARLONG SPONSORS

To find out how you can become a sponsor contact the HBA at (616) 281-2021.

Elliot Eisenberg, Ph.D.Nationally acclaimed economist and public speaker, Eisenberg holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in economics with First Class Honors from McGill University as well as a Master of Public Administration degree and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from Syracuse University. Dr. Eisenberg is a frequent speaker on housing and housing related topics. He is the creator of the multifamily stock index and is the author of more than 50 home building industry articles. You can subscribe to his daily blog by visiting www.econ70.com or by texting the word “BOWTIE” to 2282



MEMBER STATS

NEW MEMBER APPLICATIONS RENEWING MEMBERSThe following companies are applying for membership with the HBAGGR. If your company has an unresolved dispute or complaint with any of the following companies and would like

to submit a notice to be considered when approving the applicants below, please submit a complaint in writing to the HBAGGR. Any complaints received will then be required to follow the HBAGGR's Official Complaint Procedure, which requires facilitated communication and to come to a resolution by either mediation, arbitration or to proceed to litigation. It will not be until a resolution of the complaint

is submitted to the HBAGGR that the applying member will be approved.

RLH Carpentry, LLC Bob HefronLEAD Marketing Agency Tom SullivanPetra Homes, LLC Christi EerdmansHearthcrest Fireplace & Home Décor Karen Kimble

Please welcome these new members to the HBA!

These members know the value of investing in their businesses through membership in the HBAGGR. Thank you for making the choice to invest in your association!

TYPE: HIGHSTRUNGAvalon Building ConceptsBlue Lake StudiosCenturyChemical BankCity BasementClassic Engineering/AscribeCutting Edge Builders, Inc.CVI Design LLCDaeco Builders, Inc.Eastbrook Homes, Inc.Edward J. Zaagman BuilderEngelsma Homes LLCExxel Engineering, Inc.Fair Housing Center of West MichiganFirst American TitleFirst United Credit UnionGenesee Ceramic Tile DistGrand Rapids Association of RealtorsGranite TransformationsHeartland Builders LLCHome Specialists LLCHuizen FurnitureJADE Builders, Inc.Landscape Design Services, Inc.LEAD Marketing AgencyMcIntyre Builders, Inc.Michigan Propane Gas

KNOW SOMEONE THAT SHOULD BE A MEMBER? LET PAT KNOW!Pat Lewis | Membership Director (616) 281-2021 ext. 254 | [email protected]

559 Total HBA Members

187 Builder Members289 Associate Members83 Affiliate Members

HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION

Put your membershipto work now.Money-saving discounts that benefit yourbusiness, your employees, and your family

www.nahb.org/MA

National Association of Home Builders

4.25X5.5_MA_QuarterPg:4.25x5.5_MA_QuarterPage 1/9/14 11:20 AM Page 1

AssociationMorris Builders, Inc.Muston Construction, Inc.New Look PaintingNorbert’s Glass & Mirror Co.Northpointe BankNu-Wool Co., Inc.Ottawa KentPella Windows & Doors by HORNEPries Supply Co., Inc.Rhoades McKeeRLH Carpentry, LLCRon Miedema Cement Contractor, Inc.S & D Kuiper BuildersSable Developing, Inc.Scott Christopher HomesSquare Deal Building SupplySteve Visser Builder LLCWelch LawWest Michigan Cabinet Supply, Inc.West Michigan Lumber Co.Zeeland Architectural Components



CLOCK IS TICKING IMPLEMENTATION OF OVERTIME RULE DRAWS CLOSER

Find your next customer.We know marketing. Our goal is to help you reach your customer anywhere they are, on any device they use, any time they are using it, and deliver the perfect marketing message just for them – exactly when they need it.

Let us get to know you and find out how we can build a partnership.

Kristin Hartwig W. Michigan Real Estate Account Manager

[email protected] | (517) 281- 2234 | mlivemediagroup.com

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With the Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule to double the overtime salary limit from $23,660 to $47,476 set to take effect on Dec. 1, more than 400 business groups are seeking congressional action to postpone implementation of the rule.

The Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity (which includes NAHB as a coalition partner) on Oct. 14 sent a letter to Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Health Education, Labor and Pensions, in support of his legislation to mitigate the impact of the rule on the nation’s small business

community. The Overtime Reform and Review Act (S. 3464) would provide a five-year phase-in of the $47,476 salary threshold and eliminate a provision in the rule that requires automatic increases to the overtime salary threshold moving forward.

Working with House and Senate lawmakers and members of our business coalition, NAHB has been spearheading this effort to delay DOL’s rule from taking effect on Dec. 1. Such a huge jump in the overtime threshold in such a short period of time could actually hurt a significant number of the workers the rule was meant to help. Many small business owners would be forced to scale back on pay and benefits, as well as cut workers’ hours.

Similar legislation is pending in the House. The Overtime Reform and Enhancement Act (H.R. 5813), would provide a four-year phase-in of the $47,476 salary threshold and it also eliminates the automatic three-year cost of living salary adjustment.

There is little time left for Congress to act to reform the rule. As NAHB works toward permanent relief, the association will continue to provide its members with the tools they need to comply with the new overtime requirements.

For more information, contact Suzanne Beall at 800-368-5242 x8407.



MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Overhead Door (616)261-0300

www.overheaddoorgr.com

Calumet (616)261-0500

www.calumetbuilding.com

A picture perfect home.

Overhead doors, central vacuum systems and

Polyurea floor coating.

The Zeeland Lumber Crew hard at work

National Nail working to complete yet another ramp build!

The Advanced Homes Crew showing off the finished ramp

Jeff Peel of Standard Lumber shows his skills.

Cara Oosterhouse Builders with Dave Jacobs Group with their ramp in progress.

Thank you to all the crews that helped make the 25th Annual Community Repair Days a success! Over the last 25 years HBA Members have completed more than 620 access/wheelchair ramps and other critical repairs in partnership with Home Repair Services and we’re still going strong! If you want to be a part of these efforts let us know. Give us a call at (616) 281-2021 ext. 201 or by email at [email protected].

west michigan builder - hbaggr · mike mlnarik of rivertown landscapes builder vice president allen...

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