WBSBA NEWSLETTERBuilding Today for a Better Tomorrow

AUGUST 2016 VOLUME 19 ISSUE 8

WBSBA MEETINGS:August & Sept.

No Dinner MeetingsHappy Summer!

OctoberTuesday, Oct. 18

Board of Directors Meeting Schedule6:30 PM - WAHSAugust 15, 2016Sept. 19, 2016Oct. 17, 2016

WBSBA EVENTSGolf Tournament

RegistrationDeadline: Aug. 5th

Tournament Date: Aug. 19

Trap ShootRegistration

Deadline: Sept. 1Shoot Date: Aug. 19

PBAPBA Regional

MeetingOct. 6th

NAHBMid-Year

Board MeetingAugust 8-11Miami Beach

What’s Inside:COVER: Americans want presidential candidates to talk about affordable housing (pg. 12)

National Front:OSHA Fines Increase Aug 1.(pg. 16)

Registration Forms: - Trap Shoot Sign Ups- Last call for Golf

Business BlocksWhat the Heck is Pokémon Go... and Why Should Builders Care? (pg 14)

PLUS:Who are NAHB’s Associate Members? (pg. 11)

Photo courtesy of nbcsandiego.com

Photo courtesy of newslocker.com

“I Accept Your Nomination for President of the

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

570.323.TECH (8324)Compu-Gen.com

NETWORKING

WBSBA NEW ADDRESSPlease update your accounting and correspondence software

and notify your Insurance Broker:West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association

323 Grammer Rd., Suite 1, Williamsport, PA 17701Attn: Valerie Komarnicki

Inside this issue:Golf & Trap Shoot - Registration forms .........................................................................................................5-8

A Message From the President .............................................................................................................................9

Who Are NAHB’s Associates? .............................................................................................................................11

COVER STORY: Americans Want Affordable Housing Discussion ..........................................................12

NAHB Calls on Candidates to Focus on Housing ..........................................................................................13

BUSINESS BLOCKS: What the Heck is Pokemon Go, and Why Should Builders Care? .....................14

NATIONAL FRONT: Penalties for OSHA Fines Increase Aug. 1st ............................................................16

STATE WATCH: Wolf Announces Tax Credits & PennHOMES Funding ..................................................17

CONSUMER CORNER: 5 Essentials for Getting Your Cabin Off Grid .......................................................18

BACK COVER: Registration Opens Aug. 1 for International Builder Show - Member Discounts!

- Networking- Computers- Support

COMING SOON TO A MOBILE DEVICE NEAR YOU

WestBranchBuilders.org is getting a full renovation... AND SO IS THE VALUE OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

R “FIND A LOCAL PRO” consumer search R Member business listings with company info and map/directions R Enhanced member webpage options with photo and promotional listings R Personalized B2C and B2B sales and marketing tools

PLUS: Member-centric functionality with features such as: R Events calendars with easy online registration and payment portals R Personal web management access for your enhanced web listings and marketing R Business & industry resources to keep you in the loop, with call-to-action updates on news ... AND MUCH MORE! Stay tuned!

WBSBA is giving you even more reasons to be a member, with a whole new site and mobilie capabilities that are redesigned and engineered with focus on YOU! Technology, features and business-building tools bring even more value for your membership - and this is just the start! YOU’LL FIND:

COMING SOON!

July Membership RenewalsLecce Electric Since 2004

Williamsport Lyco. Chamber Since 2015

Myers Painting & Drywall Since 1991

Your Building Centers Since 2002

Noland Co. Since 1997

Deer View Homes Since 2005

Albarano Construction Since 2000

Deihl Vault & Precast Since 2006

Select Security Since 1998

Thank you for your Continuing Support!

2016 WBSBA Officers and Directors

PRESIDENT Brion Harlan

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Randy Williamson

SEC. VICE PRESIDENT James Hoffman

SECRETARY Hurley Kane

TREASURER Marvin Hurwitz

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Steven Sechrist

EXECUTIVE OFFICER Valerie Komarnicki

Board of DirectorsArnold Minnick Keith RitterDavid Eakin Jody Harlan

Life DirectorsAlex Lepore Walter NymanJohn Schon Gary WilliamsonDon Karaffa Bill HarrisonMarvin Hurwitz Steve SmithSteven Sechrist Hurley KaneRay Venema

2016 NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING RATES Circulation = 300 Members and Friends

2016 Member Rates ($): B/W Color

Business card (3.5 x 2.25) 6.00 15.00

¼ page (7.25 x 2.25) or 12.00 30.00 (3.5 x 4.75)

½ page (7.25x 4.75) 23.00 55.00

Full page 45.00 105.00

2016 Non-Member Rates ($): B/W Color

Business card (3.5 x 2.25) 15.00 45.00

¼ page (7.25 x 2.25) or 30.00 90.00 (3.5 x 4.75)

½ page (7.25x 4.75) 60.00 180.00

Full page 120.00 360.00

TRAP SHOOT

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Sept. 1

Proceeds benefit WBSBA’s PaCAH & Scholarship funds

INDIVIDUAL PRIZESMost Targets Broken •Long Bird

Longest Run • Longest Reverse Run Colored Targets • and more!

TEAM PRIZES Most targets broken FIVE-PERSON TEAMS AND INDIVIDUAL

REGISTRATIONS. Individual registrants will be formed into groups prior to start.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE!

West Branch Susquehanna Builders AssociationFIRST ANNUAL

See back for details!

Where: Valley Gun ClubGun Club Road & Route 487Elysburg, PA 17834

When: Saturday, Oct. 1st, 2016Mandatory Safety Meeting 9:30 AM Shooting starts at 10:00 AM Catered lunch 1:00 PM

Cost: $75/personIncludes: 50 Clays, 2 boxes ammo,catered lunch & t-shirt$15 – Per additional (non-shooting) lunch guest

Join us in thanking our Premier Sponsor!

* Family Friendly! *

WBSBA | 323 Grammer Rd., Suite 1 | WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701 | wbsba@westbranchbuilders.org | www.westbranchbuilders.org | 570.326.4211

Five (5)-Member Team / Individual Registration (Please PRINT legibly): Adult Tee Youth Tee

1. ____________________________________________________ c L cXL cXXL cM c L

2. ____________________________________________________ c L cXL cXXL cM c L

3. ____________________________________________________ c L cXL cXXL cM c L

4. ____________________________________________________ c L cXL cXXL cM c L

5. ____________________________________________________ c L cXL cXXL cM c L

Shooters required to have ear and eye protection. This will be strictly enforced by field safety officer.All ammo will be provided by club, and is included in the price for 50 rounds. Must attend safety meeting to participate.

Youth participants and children must remain under supervision of adult at all times.

WBSBA First Annual Trap Shoot Registration FormValley Gun & Country Club | Gun Club Rd. & Rt. 487 | Elysburg, PA 17834 | 570. 672. 3130

Registration Deadline: Sept. 1, 2016 • Shoot Date: Oct. 1, 2016 • Start time: 9:30am • Lunch: 1pmBenefits WBSBA Scholarship & PaCAH Funds. Committee Chairman: James Hoffman, Co-Chairman: Randy Williamson

FEES:

$75 per shooter participant (No. shooters) _____ x $ 75.00 = $____________ (Total Amount)

$15 – per addtn’l. lunch guest (non-shooter) _____ x $ 15.00 = $____________ (Total Amount)

$150 Station Sponsorship _____ x $ 150.00 = $____________ (Total Amount)

$50 Prize Sponsorship _____ x $ 50.00 = $____________ (Total Amount)

TOTAL ORDER AMOUNT: $____________ c Check Enclosed c Credit Card

Company Registration:Company Name: ______________________________________________Contact Person: _______________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________ _______________________________________________Phone: ___________________ Email: ____________________________

Sponsorship Opportunities:

c Premier Lunch Sponsor $550 (Erie Materials)

c Beverage Sponsor $300 (RR Seamless Gutter)

c Station Sponsors $150 *Above sponsors will have logo on Teec Prize Sponsor $50 * Sponsor Recognition/Table Display

Complete the registration form below (please print legibly) and submit with payment/information via:

FAX: Form and Credit Card info to: (570) 326-0821EMAIL: Form and Credit Card info to: wbsba@westbranchbuilders.orgMAIL: Form and Check payable to: WBSBA, 323 Grammer Rd., Suite 1, Williamsport, PA 17701CALL: (570) 326-4211 for any questions or problems submitting form and/or payment.

CHECKS: Personal checks: payable to PaCAH for affordable housing. Corporate checks: payable to WBSBA.

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT c Visa c MasterCard c Discover Name on Card _____________________________________________________________ Card # _____________________________________________________________ Security Code on back (3 digits) ___________ Expiration Date __________________ Signature _____________________________________________ Date _____________________

Please see reverse side for sponsorships, registration and payment information

Tournament Date:AUGUST 19, 2016

Registration Due Date: AUGUST 5, 2016

8:45amShot Gun Start

at Wynding BrookGOLF CLUB

201 Harvey’s Lane, Milton

Outing benefits the Association’sScholarship & PaCAH funds

PREMIER SPONSOR:Kohl Building Products

• Four Person Scramble• $350 Erie Prize• Individual & Team Prizes

Closest to the pin (4)Longest driveStraightest driveLongest puttFirst, Second & Third Flight

REGISTRATION FEE(Includes Lunch):

FOURSOMES $380(plus $80 to include Super Tickets)

INDIVIDUALS $95(plus $20 to include Super Ticket)

SUPER TICKETS $20• 3 Mulligans• Raffle Ticket• Straightest Drive Competition• Move to Red Tee

FINAL CHANCE

TO REGISTER!

West Branch Susquehanna Builders Annual Golf Tournament

Wynding Brook Golf Club, 201 Harvey’s Lane, Milton

Tournament Date: AUGUST 19, 2016 ••• Registration Due Date: AUGUST 5, 2016

Outing benefits the Association’s Scholarship & PaCAH funds $350 Erie Prize Friday, August 19, 2016 Super Ticket $20 Team Prizes Wynding Brook Golf Club › 3 Mulligans 1st flight, 2nd flight, Four Person Scramble › Raffle ticket and 3rd flight 8:45 am Shot Gun Start › Straightest drive Prizes: Closest to the Pin (4), Longest Fee: $95.00 per person competition Drive, Straightest Drive, Longest Putt $380 per foursome › Move to red tee Lunch and Prizes COMPANY REGISTRATION: SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

CONTACT PERSON _________________________________ ___ Hole Sponsor $115 each

ADDRESS _________________________________________ ___ Lunch Sponsor $550

_________________________________________ ___ Prize Sponsors $50 each

PHONE ___________________________________________ ___ Beverage Sponsor $300 FOURSOMES $380 + $80 to include Super Tickets / INDIVIDUALS $95 + $20 to include Super Ticket

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

____________________________ ____________________________

Golf Tournament Committee: Ed Feinberg (chairman), Keith Ritter (co-chairman), Gene Minnick, Rob Shaw, Dave Eakin, Gene Weigle, Ray Venema, Walt & Marion Nyman

PREMIER SPONSOR: Kohl Building Products

Personal checks may be payable to PaCAH for affordable housing. Please make corporate checks payable to WBSBA. Visa, MasterCard & Discover card also accepted. Mail Registration and Fee

to WBSBA, 323 Grammer Rd., Williamsport, PA 17701. To pay by credit card, email information to: wbsba@westbranchbuilders.org or fax 570-326-0821.

Please charge my: ___ Visa ___ MasterCard ___ Discover Amount $_____________

Name on Card _________________________________________________________________ Card # _______________________________________________________________________

Security Code on back (3 digits) _____________ Expiration Date ______________________ Signature _____________________________________________ Date _________________

570.323.TECH (8324)Compu-Gen.com

Security@Compu-Gen.com515 West Fourth StreetWilliamsport, PA 17701

Call us today for your FREE consultation!

suRvEillancE solutions

A Message from the PresidentFrom Brion Harlan, President, West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association

It’s difficult to turn on the television and not see or hear continuous coverage, debate, and demagoguery of the political spectrum. Pundits, news anchors and man-on-the-street reporters fuel a continuous furnace of heated debates and political fodder for everything from international correspondence to late-night comedy. And who can blame them? Both parties have their fair share of fallout, and neither leaves the media without juicy opportunities for exploitation of words and meaning. Meanwhile, We the People continue to listen intently to the visions being set forth for our future, weighing the impact they will have on the issues that affect our daily lives. This can be quite a challenge as we attempt to parse through facts and weigh them against our own world views and values.

Our election process is messy and divisive. Rarely in our lives have we witnessed the levels of anger and frustration in our country, and yet simultaneously hopeful and engaged in the possible outcomes that we hold before us as we do now. Face it - we truly are a part of history. With all of it warts and ugly hairs, we are at a crossroads of our future. It’s an amazing opportunity to take part in something so much bigger than ourselves, and should not be taken lightly. We still belong to the greatest country in the world, and the future is in our hands. WE have the opportunity to vote and make a difference. WE have the opportunity to change course and make the futures for those behind us a better place. WE have the voice to make a difference. WE have a chance to shape the world.

We live in pivotal times. We are facing issues that are generally confronted only once or twice in a century. Whatever your political flavor may be, don’t underestimate the power that you hold. Don’t waste such an historic opportunity to exercise the freedom - the power - held in your hands. Listen intently. Examine what is most important to your daily lives and the future of your loved ones, your job, your security, opportunities, and quality of life. Ask yourself if you are willing to let someone else decide the outcomes of your future for you. We have three more months to secure our convictions and share those convictions with those around us; to come together as a party, and as as a nation. We have three more months to prepare for one of the most historical elections of our time. Be a part. Get involved. Make a difference. Our country - our futures - are counting on each and every one of us.

Brion Harlan

President, West Branch Susquehanna Builders Assoc.

Wilkinson Dunn Company

“The Insurance People”Insurance & Bonding

Since 1932

455 River AvenueWilliamsport, PA

570-322-6611

Bob Klein | Mary McKinleyAlyss Karschner | Vicki Barone

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Looking for Ways to Save?The Pennsylvania Builders Association Can Help!

Save $100 annually on PA One-Call Service Fee! When builders use the PA One-Call service before digging for the first time each year, they normally pay a $100 fee. For PBA members, that fee is waived.

Member Rebate Program Get cash back on products you already use with minimal effort! Over 70% of the members who participated last year received rebates equaling MORE than they paid in annual dues to the association! That’s recouping your membership fee by taking advantage of just ONE benfit.

PBA Workers’ Compensation Program - Save by paying premiums as you go, depending on your payroll! Competitive rates and lower claim costs. Many join for this benefit alone.

MORE money-saving programs include: Pennsylvania Builder Insurance Program’s competitive health insurance, Energy Plus Electricity Cash Back Program, Sunoco’s Fleet Management Program, PSECU Credit Union Membership, Constant Contact E-mail Marketing savings, Aflac Medi-cal and Disability Insurance, National Purchasing Partners with discounts to national namebrands like Verizon Wireless, Sherwin-Williams, Staples, and more.

To learn more about the benefits of membership, visit www.pabuilders.org or contact your local home builders association:

West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association570.326.4211

www.westbranchbuilders.org

Who Are NAHB’s Associate Members?By Carmel Ford on July 5, 2016, NAHB Eye on Housing

Every year since 2008, the NAHB has conducted a member census in order to better understand the composition and characteristics of the people who belong to its organization. In 2015, 68 percent of NAHB’s members were associate

members—those indirectly involved in home building. The remaining 32 percent were builder members—those directly involved in home building. Last month we gave readers an in-depth look at NAHB’s builder members, and this month we are going to focus on associate members.

Of the 82,070 associate members, 40 percent are primarily subcontractor/specialty trade contractors, 13 percent have a professional specialty, 12 percent are retail dealerships or distributorships, 10 percent perform financial services, 5 percent are wholesale dealerships or distributorships, and 19 percent have some other type of primary activity.

In 2015, associate members had a median[1] of 10 employees on payroll, one more than the median employee count recorded in 2014 and 2013. Seven percent of associate members had 1 employee, 17 percent 2 to 4 employees, 22 percent had 5 to 9, 35 percent had 10 to 49, 7 percent had 50 to 99 employees, and 11 percent had 100 or more paid employees. One percent had no payroll at all.

The median revenue of NAHB associate members reached its highest point yet since the launch of the NAHB Census. In 2015, median revenue was approximately $2.5 million, compared to $2 million in 2014, and $1.8 million in 2013.

In 2015, the median age of NAHB associate members was 55, the highest since 2008. NAHB associate members have been NAHB members for a median of 10 years and half of associate members have at least a college degree.

For more details about NAHB associate members and a profile of each type of member, please visit

www.housingeconomics.com

About 76% of Americans who are likely to vote in the 2016 presidential election say they are more likely to support candidates who make housing affordability a focus of their campaigns and a priority in government, according to a national public opinion poll by Make Room, a nationwide campaign giving voice to American renters.

Almost all Democrats, about 92%, say they would support a presidential candidate who make affordable housing a priority, and about 78% Independents said the same. While Republican numbers were much lower, still a majority at 55% said they would be more likely to vote for a candidate who made affordable housing a priority.

Likely voters not only want to see affordable housing on the candidates’ platforms, but also consider the issue to be an important factor in their voting decisions. About 60% of likely voters say that housing is a key issue to them in this voting season.

“The dual challenges of rising rents and stagnant wages do not discriminate: millions of Americans, regardless of political affiliations, are struggling to afford their homes and are living in fear of an unexpected expense or reduction in hours at work leading to eviction or homelessness,” Make Room Managing Director Angela Boyd said.

“Candidates for public office and current elected officials must prioritize housing affordability and be clear with voters about their plans for addressing this issue as a significant barrier to families’ financial security and our country’s economic prosperity,” Boyd said.

Many renters, about 25%, spend more than half of their pre-tax income on rent and utilities, according to Make Room analysis of 2014 U.S. Census Bureau data. Almost half of the survey’s respondents who identify as likely voters confirmed that an inability to meet rent or mortgage payments has been a problem for them or others close to them in the past 12 months. In fact, home prices continue to

Americans want presidential candidates to talk about affordable housing.

About 76% of voters more likely to support candidate who focuses on the topic.

HousingWire, July 14, 2016 Kelsey Ramírez

COVER STORY

NAHB Chairman Ed Brady today called on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to make housing a priority during this election season.

Appearing in a live segment on CNBC’s “Closing Bell” on the floor of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Brady said: “We’re here to support housing. We’re bipartisan. We know housing is an important part of the economy. We want to make sure whoever wins [the election in November] that housing becomes a national priority.”

Brady added that NAHB has discussed housing finance reform and other issues that are important to the industry with both the Trump and Clinton campaigns and that the NAHB leadership will also be attending the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia later this month.

NAHB Calls on Trump and Clinton to Focus on Housing

increase nationwide, even hitting new highs in several large housing markets in April, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices Case-Shiller Home Prices Indices released in June.

Despite it being such a strong issue, only 37% of likely voters think Congress is doing enough to improve the affordability of housing.

Although presumed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton announced her plan that included major housing reforms, not much else has been said about housing. Except, of course, when Clinton used the housing crisis to smear presumed Republican nominee Donald Trump.

***

BUSINESS BLOCKS

What the Heck is Pokémon Go... and Why Should Builders Care?

Why are there so many kids hanging out in the park walking around looking at their phones? If you’ve been paying attention to news headlines and social media lately, you’re probably noticing that the Pokemon Go app has been released for less than week and it has taken over everything. If you aren’t familiar with the new app for Android and IOS, it is an Augmented Reality game that places Pokémon in the world around you. Users walk around and find the Pokémon near them trying to catch them all! What is new about this app is that it causes people to get up and move. Within this short period of time the app has taken off with an estimated 7.5 million downloads and growing, over 6 million mentions on Twitter and helping to boost Nintendo’s market value by $7.5 billion.

Here is a quick over view of how the app works. Once downloaded on their IOS or Android phone, people are able to walk around and “look” through their phone to try and find Pokémon. They are able to level up, train their Pokémon, and people

Posted July 12, 2016, BDX Blog

often travel in groups because they are able to find more Pokémon when they are together. People travel to Pokestops to find Pokemon to capture and meet in groups at “Gyms” to battle their Pokemon.

There are Pokémon pretty much everywhere and you can attract even more to your location using what is called a “Lure”. The lure is location based, draws in Pokémon from the surrounding areas and has them group where the lure is. The lure also shows up on other people’s maps letting them know where the Pokémon are going to be! These lures have can draw massive groups of people from the surrounding area.

So why should builders care? Well, if you’re an adventurous marketer, you’re probably already thinking through the opportunities, what a creative way to get people out and walking through your communities, checking out your sales centers and amenities. (Continued)

Editor’s note: As many of you reading this, I have watched my own kids mesmerized by this phenomena. What better way to improvise technology and hold consumers captive to your product or services? I have seen companies use this

technology to showcase homes, services, products, and more. Now is the time to visit your trade shows and webinars to harness cutting edge technologies to expand your business’s marketing toolbox -- and your market share!

This weekend will be the first weekend since Pokémon Go has been available in the U.S. so you can be sure that people will be out and about looking for Pokémon, especially families. With families looking for Pokémon your homes are the perfect place for them to look. Setting up a lure at your homes will attract Pokémon and in turn attract people to your location. Once they are there give them a tour of the houses, the neighborhood, or maybe even set up a “safari” for people to come and hunt for Pokémon.

Each lure last for 30 minutes. You are able to buy a pack of 8 lures which will last 4 hours. Two packs of those and you can attract people to your location all day long. The currency within Pokémon Go are Pokecoin. A pack of 8 lures cost 680 Pokecoins and you can buy 2500 Pokecoins for $30.99. So for about 31$ you can attract potential buyers to your property all day long. Here is a breakdown of the costs for Pokecoins and Items within the game to get a sense of what options work best for you! This app has gotten people up and moving like no other app has come close to. Jawbone fitness trackers found that users playing Pokémon Go got 62.5% more steps than average. With all of these people moving around and exploring their surrounding areas; now if your chance to make sure they come and find your properties! They started

their journey looking for Pokémon, but they could find their new home as well.

And the Pokemon craze should get you thinking about other ways to use Augmented Reality within the new home market. Uses such as: viewing different faucets and fixtures within a model; walking around an empty lot but “seeing” how the neighborhood is going to look when finished; displaying real time data on a tour such as air quality, temperature and so on from room to room. The opportunities are endless and as technology continues to progress the home building industry will continue to change.

Pokémon Go is huge right now so it is the perfect time for your communities to join in! With all of these people out walking around looking for Pokémon it is the perfect opportunity to attract people to your homes. ***

THE NATIONAL FRONT: NAHB NEWS

Penalties for OSHA Fines Will Increase August 1st

NAHB already reported that penalties for non-compliance assessed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are slated to rise next month for the first time in 25 years. But OSHA is not the only federal agency that plans to up its fines.

Last November, President Obama signed into law the Inflation Adjustment Act to ensure federal agencies regularly update the monetary levels of civil penalties to keep pace with inflation. The act required these agencies to raise their penalties by Aug. 1 based on guidance issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget, which looked at inflation rates and other factors affecting costs before advising the agencies.

The maximum amount civil penalties can increase is 150% of the prior amount – but moving forward, these agencies must make this adjustment annually and base it on the current Consumer Price Index.

That means builders need to pay even closer attention to how they’re following the letter of the law. Here’s two more examples:

The Environmental Protection Agency’s maximum civil penalty for violating the Clean Water Act’s stormwater permitting requirements will increase to a maximum of $51,570 per violation from a prior maximum civil penalty of $37,500 per violation – an increase of nearly 40%.

Meanwhile, the Fish and Wildlife Service has set its maximum civil penalty for violating the Endangered Species Act’s “take” prohibition increases from $25,000 to $49,467 per violation: an increase of 98%.

Make sure to take advantage of the compliance materials NAHB maintains for its members on regulations as diverse as silica, lead paint and stormwater. For additional information, contact Tamra Spielvogel at 800-368-5242 x8327.

***

From NAHB Now, posted on July 8, 2016

It always pays to follow the law. But after Aug. 1, it’s going to be even more

expensive not to.

STATE WATCH: PBA NEWS & UPDATESGovernor Wolf Announces Tax Credits and PennHOMES Funding

for Affordable Multifamily Developments in Pennsylvania Funding Administered by PHFA Will Support Construction and Rehabilitation of 39 Developments Statewide

ATTENTION MEMBERS To best serve you, we partnered with JRG Advisors to provide quality health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options for our members.

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Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced awards of $40.3 million in tax credits and $5.9 million in PennHOMES funding for the construction of 39 affordable multifamily housing developments located throughout Pennsylvania. The tax credits are administered by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency and were approved by its board.

The tax credits awarded to developers will be used to attract more than $407 million of investment funding for building, and rehabilitating, multifamily housing offering affordable rents. “This tax credit program touches many lives by making affordable housing available through a powerful partnership between the public and private sectors,” said Governor Wolf.“Pennsylvania communities win because the program makes possible the construction of housing for seniors, veterans and others that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.”

When completed, the developments eceiving funding today will preserve and create an additional 1,875 rental housing units for Pennsylvania residents.

“The funding available through tax credits is in such high demand that every year we are only able to support about a third of the developments that apply,” said PHFA Executive Director and CEO Brian A. Hudson Sr. “This demonstrates not only the demand for more affordable housing but also the strong private sector interest in this program.”

One proposal receiving tax credits today was selected by a jury of affordable housing professionals for a funding award under the “Innovation in Design” category. Morningside Crossing, located in Pittsburgh, is being developed by a.m. Rodriguez Associates, Inc., and will consist of the historic rehabilitation and new construction of 46 affordable units for seniors at the former Morningside Elementary School.

This proposal will provide an inter-generational community development through the co-location of the Morningside Community Center at the site. For the seniors living there, age 62 and over, significant resources and programming will target their physical, mental, social and recreational needs. Additionally, the adaptive re-use of the building will follow Passive House design, plus the energy usage of both the residential and commercial components of the building will be monitored to ensure efficiency.

Contacts:Jeff Sheridan – 717.783.1116Scott Elliott, PHFA – 717.649. 6522, selliott@phfa.org

CONSUMER CORNER

1. Solar PanelsThe most effective way to achieve an off-the-grid cabin is to use solar panels to generate electricity. A professionally designed system can deliver all the power your cabin might need, and save you money while doing so. Companies like Renogy offer kits you can order and install yourself, making it easier to set up a solar power system on an out-of-the-way building.

2. Clean Cooking AppliancesCooking, whether you do it with electricity or gas, uses a lot of energy, but there are several options to cook using little to no energy. Rocket stoves use small amounts of wood or brush to cook and solar cookers concentrate sunshine to create heat.

Rocket stoves achieve their heating efficiency through nearly 100 percent fuel combustion, which eliminates

nearly all the smoke normally associated with wood burning stoves.

Solar ovens and cookers can prepare virtually any kind of food. You’ll find them as solar box ovens, parabolic cookers, or panel cookers. A parabolic cooker will boil, fry and sauté just as fast as a stovetop, while a box cooker lets you bake anything you would in an oven. Panel cookers work just like crock pots.

The only downside to solar cooking is that it doesn’t work in cloudy weather or at night. However, the combination of a solar cooker and rocket stove provides the means to cook anywhere, anytime. 3. Waste ManagementManaging waste off the grid is possible with composting toilets. They can be used as portable

5 Essentials for GettingYour Cabinoff the Grid

One of the benefits of having a cabin is getting away from the noise and light pollution of the city. However, if you want to feel even more independent from the world and take care of the environment at the same time, you

should try and get your cabin off the grid as much as possible. These five alternatives ensure many of the comfort and conveniences of modern living while remaining conscious of the environment.

From Design & Construction Week, Posted by Brooke Chaplan on July 25, 2016

CONSUMER CORNER

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Homeowner Pick!#1

Voted Tops in Quality & Service Last 4 Years!

OVATIONS™

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Mobile: 814.414.2421 Fax: 570.374.5729 E-mail: gdavis@kohlbp.com

Selinsgrove: 800.949.5645 Bloomsburg: 866.829.5645

Territory ManagerGlenn Davis

Mobile: 814.414.2421 Fax: 570.374.5729 E-mail: gdavis@kohlbp.com

Selinsgrove: 800.949.5645 Bloomsburg: 866.829.5645

Territory ManagerGlenn Davis

Mobile: 814.414.2421 Fax: 570.374.5729 E-mail: gdavis@kohlbp.com

Selinsgrove: 800.949.5645 Bloomsburg: 866.829.5645

Territory ManagerGlenn Davis

Mobile: 814.414.2421 Fax: 570.374.5729 E-mail: gdavis@kohlbp.com

Selinsgrove: 800.949.5645 Bloomsburg: 866.829.5645

Territory ManagerGlenn Davis

Mobile: 814.414.2421 Fax: 570.374.5729 E-mail: gdavis@kohlbp.com

Selinsgrove: 800.949.5645 Bloomsburg: 866.829.5645

Territory ManagerGlenn Davis

Mobile: 814.414.2421 Fax: 570.374.5729 E-mail: gdavis@kohlbp.com

Selinsgrove: 800.949.5645 Bloomsburg: 866.829.5645

Territory ManagerGlenn Davis

160 McNett RdMontgomery, PA 17752

Alcoa Leaf ReliefInstallation and Cleaning

Featuring 5” and 6” Seamless Gutters0.32 Aluminum or 0.24 Steel Avalible

Larry Miller Jr.

(570) 547-2505PA002816 A Division of Miller, Rogers & Sons LLC

570.323.TECH (8324)Compu-Gen.comInfo@Compu-Gen.com515 West Fourth StreetWilliamsport, PA 17701Call us today for your

FREE consultation!

PhonE SyStEm SolutionS

Deficient Demand Elliot F. Eisenberg, Ph.D

The labor force participation rate has fallen substantially for workers with, at most, a high school degree. This fall in the supply of low-skilled workers should raise wages. Yet, their wages have fallen 25%

compared to workers with a college degree. This means the demand for unskilled workers has fallen by more than the supply. The solution; raise the skills of

these labor force dropouts to boost employer demand.

toilets, or built into the cabin as a permanent fixture. The byproducts of human waste can be used safely outdoors as compost for nonfood plants. Most municipalities allow composted waste in landfills.

4. Using GraywaterFortunately, soaps for laundry, cleaning, bathing and dishwashing are available that won’t harm the soil of your plants, and it gives you an excellent way to reuse water for landscaping, taking an enormous burden off a septic system.

Be careful when selecting the soaps you use. Choose those that have low levels of sodium or none at all. They shouldn’t use lye, perfumes, or artificial colors. Any soap that has borates inside it will irretrievably harm the soil and kill plants.

5. Heating and CoolingAn EPA-approved wood stove burns with nearly 100 percent efficiency and will provide ample heat. Cooling is more difficult, but possible with evaporative coolers that use far less electricity than air conditioners. They work best in climates where the dew point stays below 55 degrees F. You might be able to run a high-efficiency portable air conditioner if your solar system has adequate storage capacity.

While each of these ideas works effectively for off-the-grid living, the jurisdiction in which the property lies may have specific, enforceable requirements for public safety. It’s always a good idea to learn the local laws allow for living independent of local services. With some effort, you can turn your cabin into the perfect eco-friendly getaway from society.

***

PBA and PA One Call As you prepare to excavate, contact 8-1-1 or go to www.paonecall.org for more information on your job site. After receiving your $125 invoice from PA One Call, forward that invoice to your local builders association – they will confirm your membership and send it to PBA for reimbursement. It's an easy way to save money and keep your employees safe!

PAONECALL

West Branch Susquehanna Builders Association

323 Grammer RoadSuite 1Williamsport, PA 17701PH: 570-326-4211FAX: 570-326-0821wbsba@westbranchbuilders.orgwww.westbranchbuilders.org

AUGUST 2016

Registration Now Open Aug. 1 for the 2017 International Builder Show in

Orlando Florida!

WBSBA/NAHB MEMBER DISCOUNT!Find Your Discount Pass Enclosed!

Need one mailed? Call: 570-326-4211 OR GO ONLINE TO:

http://www.buildersshow.com/Home/ to learn more.Don’t Miss

Out on

this great offer!

Ends August

31st