BIA Advocacy Update

Advocacy events coming up

For BIA members: 

Oct. 3, 4:30 - 6 p.m., Moorhead City Council Candidate Forum  

Location: BIA office (1802 32nd Ave. S., Fargo) 

Hear from candidates running for city council! We will hear from each candidate on their goals, as well as discuss industry-related issues. 

Register here. 

Oct. 16, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., Building Industry Connect; Fargo's Future

Location: BIA office (1802 32nd Ave. S., Fargo)

What could the proposed Fargodome improvement sales tax and convention center lodging tax mean for Fargo's future? Both topics will be on the North Dakota ballot for Fargo voters Nov. 5. Hear from Rob Sobolik and Dave Suppes with the Fargodome, Charley Johnson with Visit Fargo Moorhead - Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Convention & Visitors Bureau and Fargo Mayor Tim Mahoney. 

Register here!

For anyone: 

BIA is also collaborating with the FMWF Chamber of Commerce for a Clay County Commissioner Forum

Oct. 2, 5 - 6:30 p.m.

Location: Clay County Court House (807 11th St. N. Meeting Rooms A & B Third Floor, Moorhead) 

Register to attend here.

North Dakotans: Vote NO on Measure 4

Along with our state association, North Dakota Association of Builders, the BIA-RRV is OPPOSED to measure 4 and encourages you to vote NO on the elimination of property taxes. 

Why?

Property taxes assist local communities with funding services that directly benefit our communities, such as public safety, schools, parks, libraries, snow removal and more. These services also help create a healthy environment for local businesses. Whether it is by getting to the jobsite on well-maintained roads, or by attracting the workforce we desperately need through schools and community amenities like parks and libraries, these services have a direct impact on our industry. If the measure were to pass, it would leave a roughly $1.575 billion gap annually. Measure 4 offers no plan for how to recuperate those dollars. 

Additionally, the communities around our state that will be impacted the most are our small and rural communities. 

While we understand that relief is needed, measure 4 does not offer a good alternative plan to property taxes and will cause more complications than solutions. No plan is a bad plan. 

More information and resources can be found on keepitlocalnd.org. 

Advocacy events from Sept. 25 and 26

The BIA recently hosted a Cass County Commission Candidate Forum. We were joined by Keith Gohdes and Joel Vettel, candidates for District 5 and Tim Flakoll, who is running for District 1.

Above from left to right: Joel Vettel, Keith Gohdes, Tim Flakoll.

Members and staff also met with West Fargo Commissioner Amy Zundel for Building Industry Connect. We talked about her first few months on the commission, various measures coming up this election cycle and how the BIA can assist with housing conversations. 

Above: BIA members and staff with Commissioner Zundel (third from the right). 

Absentee voting resources 

If you plan to be gone prior to election day or early voting, you can vote absentee! Follow the links below for more information on the process and to request an absentee ballot. 

North Dakota residents, click here. 

Minnesota residents, click here.