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MCAA Regional Report, Region I

Words: Jed OlafsonAlaska - No State Chairman
Idaho - No State Chairman
Montana - Zach Anderson
Oregon - No State Chairman
Washington - Jed Olafson

Overall the Pacific Northwest has seen marked improvement in masonry construction hours in 2015. 10-12 months have reflected increases in most areas represented.
The masonry industry in the northwest came together in 2015 to create the Masonry Systems Guide, Northwest Edition which will begin being marketed in January 2016 with planned A/E/C full day educational symposiums in Spokane, Seattle and Portland as well 8 Lunch and Learn presentations that will be targeting firms and AIA/AGC and CSI programs.

Alaska

Oil prices and cut back in military spending has impacted masonry construction during 2015 as it has relied strongly on MilCon projects for survival in this very chilly state.

Eastern Washington/Idaho

Bricklayer hours in Eastern Washington are up about 15% over last year. Several school bonds passed recently so 2016 should be busy. The Masonry Promotion Group continues the ongoing masonry programs in architecture and engineering at WSU and engineering at Gonzaga. We continue building relationships with the architects and engineers as allied members of their organizations and through our seminars, golf tournament and newsletters.

Oregon

Currently there are 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.

IMI has hired an architect to work within the state and support the design community with masonry information.

Montana

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. A masonry awards program is planned for the state of Montana in 2016.

W. WA (Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia, Puget Sound)

The Puget Sound area of Western Washington has seen an uptick of masonry construction consistently during 2015. Hours have been up by about 25% and most masonry contractors are busy even into December. Challenges include: meeting the manpower need and building code infringements; Successes include: Settlement of a six (6) year labor contract; increased participation with the Certified Mason-Tile and PCC program; and the addition of an Masonry 400 class at the University of Washington Architecture program.

The Masonry Institute of Washington utilized addressing building envelope issues with the State Legislature and the building code council, hosting monthly new product lunch and learns as well as in architecture/GC office lunch and Learn; and the Annual Golf Tournament and Industry Meeting. In the spring of 2015 we convened six (6) stakeholder meetings of architects/general contractors/engineers and masonry industry representatives, which resulted in the production of the Masonry Systems Guide, NW Edition.
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