BIA Advocacy Update

North Dakota Association of Builders Leadership Meet in Medora

NDAB leadership from across the state met in Medora last week to participate in the summer board meeting and social. In addition to regularly scheduled meetings and business, they had the opportunity to hear from National Association of Home Builders Chairman of the Board Bill Owens; NAHB's Chief Lobbyist, Lake Coulson; ND Housing Finance Agency Executive Director Brandon Dettlaff and NDAB's Lobbyist, Lisa Feldner. Hearing updates from the federal and state levels are great ways for BIA leadership to remain engaged and up to speed with housing trends outside of the Red River Valley. 

After meetings were complete, members had the chance to tour the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, met for a social and had an opportunity to golf at Bully Pulpit. 

Above (left to right): Adam (BIA Immediate Past President) and Joanna Olson, Allstar Construction; Shelly Zeis (BIA Treasurer), J & L Construction; Elizabeth Kosel, BIA-RRV, Nicolette Zeis, J & L Construction and Tim Gauer (BIA Secretary), Bell Bank. 

Above (left to right): Corey Moch and Shannon Roers (BIA President), ROERS

Above: NAHB Chairman, Bill Owens

ND Housing Finance Agency Community Housing Needs Forum

On Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. - noon, the agency will be hosting a community housing needs forum. The event is free to attend and open to the public, but an RSVP is requested. 

BIA-RRV Treasurer Shelly Zeis will be participating on the panel.

Please register here.  

Upcoming Fargo Land Development Code Engagement Opportunities

The City of Fargo is hosting the upcoming opportunities for interested parties and the public to hear updates on the LDC process, share feedback and ask questions. More details will follow. 

We highly encourage you to attend if available. Your feedback will play an important role in shaping the LDC.

Click here to access the new version of the LDC draft. 

Tuesday, Aug. 25

o   11: 30am – 1:00pm: Planning Commission Informational Meeting in Commission Chambers

o   2:00pm – 4:00pm: LDC Workshop for Development Community (In-depth discussion with LDC practitioners) in Sky Commons on 2nd floor of Fargo Civic Center

o   4:30pm – 6:00pm: Public Workshop Open House (High-level update for general public) in Sky Commons on 2nd floor of Fargo Civic Center

Wednesday, Aug. 26

o   8:30am – 10:00am: Public Workshop Open House (High-level update for general public) in Sky Commons on 2nd floor of Fargo Civic Center

o   10:00am – 11:00am: LDC Open Office Hours (Unprogrammed time for Q & A) in Sky Commons on 2nd floor of Fargo Civic Center

o   12:00pm (noon) – 1:30pm: Incentives Focus Group in Sky Commons on 2nd floor of Fargo Civic Center

NDAB Leader Participates in Housing Roundtable with U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak

Senior Officer Joe Hillerson, Boulder Homes, Bismarck, participated in a roundtable hosted by U.S. Rep. Fedorchak, which included federal, state and local housing leaders, developers and bankers. 

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act was a topic of discussion with Tim Geitner, HUD Region VIII Regional Administrator. They discussed ways HUD can work with local communities across North Dakota to implement reforms.

It’s encouraging to see our state association engaged in these meaningful and important conversations. We appreciate Rep. Fedorchak’s willingness to listen and gain a deeper understanding of the issues affecting housing in our state, as well as opportunities to make improvements.