MCAA Regional Report, Region I

Words: Steve BormanAlaska - No State Chair
Idaho - No State Chair
Montana - Zack Anderson
Oregon - Darrell Evenson
Washington - Monty Fairweather

Economic Conditions/Forecast/Competition

It’s not good. The upper northwest was one of the last geographical areas to be effected by the recession and as a result, will be one of the last areas to begin to see a recovery. Due to the fact Washington, Oregon and have strong regulatory climates as well as relying on state government stronger than other areas of the country, they are heavily impacted by the amount of debt incurred by the state.

Residential contractors are entering the commercial industry and forcing costs to significantly decrease.

An influx of out-of-region masonry and general contractors began in late 2008. However, due to the geographical location, the wet climates along the pacific coast, and stringent energy code regulations, many of these contractors have been one time visitors.

It is anticipated that the northwest region has hit the bottom, but will continue to bounce around there until spring of 2011.

Washington
Masonry hours have dropped more than 40% statewide. The State has moved 1/3 of the public works trust fund reserves into the general budget. The Capital construction budget was reduced by 2/3 and no new money was added for pre-design which will further extend the lack of public construction projects through 2012. School construction costs have decrease 30% since 2008.

Private commercial construction is forecasted to drop as much as 20% in 2010.

Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho
Everything reflected in the Washington report above can be multiplied by two. Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho are caught in the regional bubble without the benefit of a large population base.

Alaska, Montana and Oregon
No report is available.

Workforce Development

Washington
Western Washington has 76 Brick Apprentices, 60 Tile/Finisher, 12 Marble Setters and 60 PCC; and one class sponsored by the Masonry Institute of Washington (MIW) at the University of Washington.

Oregon
Currently there are 34 masonry apprentices; two engineering classes sponsored by the Masonry Institute of Oregon (MIO) with books and instructors, one at Oregon State University with 35 students. The second at Portland State University has 30 students and are planning a third in the spring at Oregon Institute of Technology with an expected 10 students. MIO is considering architectural classes at the University of Oregon and Portland State University.

Montana
Montana currently has 13 masonry apprentices. The Masonry Industry Promotion Group is working with union mason contractors and masonry suppliers to develop masonry programs at Montana State University in the architectural department. Design build projects, lectures, hands-on demos and plant tours have all been implemented at MSU.

Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho
Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho Apprentices total 56 for 2009. In Eastern Washington, the Masonry Industry Promotion Group (MPG), in conjunction with the Eastern Washington Masonry Producers Association, just celebrated their 27th annual Masonry Design Competition with Washington State University for third year architectural students.

Alaska
No report is available.

Marketing Efforts

Regionally
The MIO, MIW, Northwest Concrete Masonry Association (NWCMA) and the Washington State Conference of Mason Contractors (WSCMC) met in Seattle, Washington to coordinate and plan regional activities for 2010. Specifically scheduled are six, regional, I-Code seminars focused on the 2009 updates and targeting the engineering community; and identifying topics for research projects during 2010.

Washington
The MIW will be sponsoring the 2010 Masonry Awards of Excellence and the Annual Golf Tournament, both free events to the design and construction industry. Weekly Lunch and Learn programs are popular including an upcoming program with the Army Corp of Engineers. Also on the schedule for 2010 is a design industry focus group, architectural masonry tour and Mariners game. Additionally,

Oregon
MIO is putting the finishing touches on Hammurabi awards program and the advertising brochures for that event. A golf tournament in July and the Christmas Luncheon in December will be the highlights for 2010. MIO will continue to advertise annually in the AIA Profiler, SEAO Website, Bricklayers Futures magazine and the apprenticeship contest, sponsor and/or participate in the Pin awards for the local union, the apprentice tool boxes, the CSI trade show and the Oregon State Fire Marshals convention.

MIO is continuing to update the information and projects for Masonry system.org, and lunch and learn programs are going strong.

Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho
See above reports for MPG’s marketing report.

Alaska
No Report available.

Legislative Update

Washington
In coordination with the NWCMA, the MIW, MPG and WSCMC, Washington’s masonry industry is fighting against providing financial incentives and preferential treatment for timber products in construction. Several bills have been introduced during the biennium session and the Governor executed and Executive Order. Member companies have testified and spoken with legislators with a goal to be seen as an equally important locally manufactured product as timber. Additionally, unemployment insurance and workers compensation premiums have more than doubled and the masonry industry will continue to work for lower costs for the masonry industry.

Oregon
We are involved with the Oregon Ergonomics committee and assist NWCMA on the codes.

Idaho and Alaska
No report is available.

MCAA Regional Report, Region I

Economic Conditions/Forecast/Competition

Workforce Development

Marketing Efforts

Legislative Update

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