The New River Valley Home Builders Association, Inc. (NRVHBA) is a professional trade association affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the Home Builders Association of Virginia (HBAV). Our Association is governed by a board of directors and an executive committee representative of our region’s builder and associate membership. The mission of the NRVHBA is to serve the building community by advocating for the construction industry; educating, supporting, and promoting our members; and giving back to the New River Valley.
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NRVHBA Launches Building Futures Foundation
Leaders of the New River Valley Home Builders Association (NRVHBA) announced the launch of the new charitable arm of the organization, Building Futures Foundation,on May 9th at a special 50th anniversary celebration event. Officially incorporated in March of this year, Building Futures Foundation works to create opportunity in the New River Valley and surrounding areas by supporting charitable, educational, and community initiatives that expand access to safe and attainable housing, develop the workforce, and strengthen long-term community resilience. The NRVHBA has been serving the residential and commercial building industry since 1976 through networking, education, and advocacy. Community service has always been a part of that mission, and the establishment of the Building Futures Foundation is intended to grow that impact and strengthen investment in the people and programs that support the community and a stronger construction workforce across the NRV and surrounding areas. "For 50 years, the NRVHBA has supported our members and advocated for the construction industry," said Ian Friend, President of the NRVHBA. "The creation of this foundation allows us to deepen our impact on the community by growing current scholarship and grant programs, expanding hands-on activity initiatives that prepare the next generation for meaningful careers in the skilled trades, and strengthening the housing industry." The Foundation will support scholarships, educational grants, and workforce development initiatives that all work to raise awareness of careers in the construction industry. The Foundation will also support partnerships that strengthen the housing pipeline and create pathways into the building industry. Cont.'d on page 4
NRVHBA Leadership Staff Kelsey Grow, Executive Officer Billie Quesenberry, Events and Marketing Coordinator Board Ian Friend, President Philip Walker, Vice President Tyler Price, Treasurer Cody Journell, Secretary Justin Boyle, Past President Stephanie Bell, Associate Director Jason Hardy, Associate Director Sean Beliveau, Builder Director Cat White, Builder Director Reid Broughton, Associate Director Jeff Nosenzo, Associate Director Gretchen Merix, Associate Director Jamie Spence, Builder Director Allison Szuba, Associate Director
Learn More about the Building Futures Foundation Here
NRV Future Builders Academy is a beginner-friendly carpentry and construction camp for high school students in the New River Valley. Presented by the New River Valley Home Builders Association in collaboration with Build Smart Institute and hosted at Habitat for Humanity ReStore, the camp offers real-world exposure to construction career pathways. This camp is available at no cost due to generous funding by our partners at Virginia Housing.
Register for Future Builders Academy
“Investing in housing and workforce opportunities is an investment in the future of our community,” said Megan Atkinson, CTE and Business Partnerships Administrator at Montgomery County Public Schools. “I’m excited to see the Foundation bring partners together to create lasting impact and expand opportunities for students, families, and employers across the New River Valley.” Community members and industry partners who want to learn more about the Building Futures Foundation, its mission, and to explore partnership opportunities can visit www.buildingfuturesnrv.org or contact Kelsey Grow, Executive Officer, at kelsey@nrvhba.com.
NRVHBA Celebrates 50 Years
Chartered in 1976 with the National Association of Home Builders, the first NRVHBA meeting was held in the spring of that year, with charter night on July 8, 1976 at the Pulaski Elks Club. Representatives from both Washington, D.C. and Richmond joined the first 20 members of the association to celebrate. Tom Powers, President of Powers Building Mart, served as the first President of the Association and was also named to the Board of Directors of NAHB at the time of chartering. Over 130 NRVHBA Members gathered at Smith Creek Farms on Saturday, May 9th to celebrate the success, growth, and achievements of the NRVHBA over the past 50 years! As part of a short program, we recognized our Past Presidents in attendance and thanked them for their service to the NRVHBA. Our members enjoyed yard games, a phenomenal spread of food provided by Bluegrass BBQ, musical performances by Jimothy, and Eric Wayne Band, a nail driving competition with a mini twist, balloon decorations from Parti with Carli, and a fun confetti surprise. The festivities were captured by Aaron Spicer Photography. Over 17 NRVHBA past presidents joined us, with service spanning from the 1970s to our current 2026 president, Ian Friend. Cont.'d on page 10
NRVHBA Past Presidents Gather
U.S. Customs Announces Tariff Refund Process The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has launched a new landing page for “International Emergency Economic Powers (IEEPA) Duty Refunds,” rolling out a process for recouping IEEPA tariffs. It should be noted that only importers of record and authorized customs brokers can apply for tariff refunds, and many questions regarding refunds remain unanswered. Qualified applicants can apply for an ACE portal importer account and enroll in ACH refunds here.
NHE Grants Boost Home Building Education Since 2009, the National Housing Endowment has invested more than $6.2 million in grants to 60 colleges and universities through its HELP Program. The program seeks to increase the number of qualified graduates entering the home building industry. This year, a record nine recipients were awarded funds, including: Cal Poly University - San Luis Obispo; California State University at Fresno; Florida A&M University; Georgia Southern University; Roger Williams University; University of Hawaii at Manoa; University of Southern Mississippi; Wayne State University; and Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Canadian Lumber Duties Expected to Drop The U.S. Department of Commerce has signaled that it plans to lower antidumping and countervailing tariffs later this year on imports of Canadian softwood lumber products from the current rate of about 35.16% to 24.83% following its annual review of existing tariffs. Commerce indicated that it would set antidumping duties at 10.66% vs. the current rate of 20.56% and countervailing duties at 14.17% (currently 14.63%), bringing the combined rate down from 35.16% to 24.83%.
Lastly, we closed the celebration with the announcement and launch of the Building Futures Foundation NRV, a new 501(c)(3) charitable organization. The Foundation's mission is to create opportunity in the New River Valley and surrounding areas by supporting charitable, educational, and community initiatives that expand access to safe and attainable housing, develop the workforce, and strengthen long-term community resilience. We're proud to celebrate 50 years of growth, and look forward to continuing to build the future in the NRV!
More Interest in Skilled Trades A new study conducted by NAHB finds that more young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 are interested in the construction trades, but more work needs to be done to educate the public that there are increasing opportunities for rewarding, lucrative careers in the skilled trades. The new research is similar to a study conducted in 2016. The NAHB survey found that the share of young adults interested in a career in the construction trades doubled from 3% a decade ago to 6% today. The two most important benefits young adults see in a career in the trades are good pay (73%) and the ability to obtain useful skills (65%).
White House Cites NAHB Studies The White House in April released its Economic Report of the President (ERP) that contains a section on housing and homeownership that cites NAHB regulatory studies. Specifically, the ERP highlighted an initiative proposed during the Biden administration that called on HUD and the USDA to adopt the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 as the minimum energy-efficiency standards for certain single-family and multifamily housing programs. The ERP also highlighted NAHB research on the cost of adopting the 2021 IECC. The report includes other NAHB-supported housing policy recommendations.
Why Workforce Training is a Smart Business Investment The residential homebuilding community continues to face its ongoing challenges: labor shortages, increased competition for skilled workers, and the changing workforce expectations have made it harder for employers to maintain high-quality teams. With these challenges, many businesses have started to rethink how they decide to hire and build their long-term workforce development. Instead of just relying on hiring, more employers are beginning to view workforce training as a strategic investment. Across the homebuilding industry, the demand for skilled labor continues to grow and outpace supply. Experienced workers are beginning to retire, with fewer individuals entering the trades. Competition for talent has intensified, making hiring more time-consuming and costly as it affects project timelines and company development. These trends are making it harder for businesses to rely on traditional hiring alone. Instead, workforce development is no longer an operational concern but a priority for a company’s long-term growth.
Read More from the Hard Hat Report here
The NRV Blueprint Have you seen our publication, The NRV Blueprint, around town? If not, access a digitial version here!
Prepare Early for Severe Summer Weather As temperatures rise, so does the risk of severe weather and home damage. Tornadoes, hurricanes, heavy rains and flash flooding can strike at any moment and threaten communities nationwide. Now is the time to prepare your home and family in case the forecast calls for the worst. In 2024, there were 27 severe climate and weather events nationwide that caused at least $1 billion in damages, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Looking ahead, the University of Chicago predicts there’s a 54% chance total U.S. disaster damages from 2026-30 will exceed $1 trillion. Don’t wait until the last minute to make critical preparations. Here are three steps to protect your home against severe summer weather. Review Your Insurance Policies The best place to start is reviewing your insurance policies to ensure you're covered for losses due to a natural disaster. Damage caused by flooding, earthquakes and hurricanes is generally not covered by your regular home owner’s policy but can be purchased separately. It’s key to check this early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period to kick in, according to NOAA. Document your possessions – take photos and write down serial numbers – to make it easier if you need to file a claim. Weatherproof Your Home Homes often need extra protection to withstand severe weather. Try to prevent wind and water from entering through windows, cracks, entryways and garage doors by sealing them tightly and installing storm shutters to cover windows. Also, clean your gutters and downspouts so rain can flow away from the home instead of near the foundation, which can cause damage. Inspect your roof for any visible damage and apply sealant around your chimney or pipes to prevent water from seeping in. You can also store plywood panels ahead of time to quickly board up openings when a storm approaches. Create an Emergency Plan and Supply Kit Lastly, create an emergency plan and supply kits that are easy to access. These are essential if you are without electricity or are forced to evacuate. Include water, non-perishable food, battery-operated radios, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, prescription medications, pet supplies and important family documents. Since family members may not be together during an emergency, establish a plan that outlines how you will exit the home safely and identify somewhere to evacuate. Make paper copies of important contact information and carry them in wallets, purses or backpacks. When your home and family are prepared, you are more likely to weather the toughest storm.
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Homeownership Builds Wealth and Stronger Communities Every June, the residential construction industry celebrates National Homeownership Month, a time to highlight the importance of homeownership to individuals and families nationwide. For years, homeownership has been central to the American dream and how people connect with their local communities. Homeownership improves quality of life for many individuals and increases stability in our community, as owners are less likely than renters to move frequently. Locally, home owners tend to settle in, make friends, get to know their neighbors and develop a sense of community. Through volunteering, school and community activities, and property maintenance, home owners contribute to creating a strong and healthy neighborhood. Homeownership remains a priority across generations. Nationwide, the U.S. homeownership rate was 65.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to the Census Bureau's Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS). This is especially true for the Silent and Baby Boomer generations. These groups have a high homeownership rate (78.6%) and own 34.1% of all owner-occupied housing units in the U.S., according to the latest American Community Survey. As a group, they hold an estimated $13.8 trillion dollars in housing value or roughly one-third of the total residential property value in the country. Many younger households are also making gains in the market. The homeownership rate for those under the age of 35 rose to 37.9% in the last quarter of 2025, a 1.6 percentage point increase over 2024, according to the HVS. Additionally, the first-time buyer share rose to 34% in February 2026, up from 31% in January, according to NAHB analysis of data from the National Association of Realtors. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a longtime owner, homeownership is an investment in yourself, your family and your community.
NRV Home Expo Directory Still thinking about the NRV Home Expo? We are! Missed the opportunity to speak with trusted professionals in person? No worries! Thanks to our virtual exhibit sponsor, All Natural Tree Experts, the 2026 NRV Home Expo directory is available all year around. Be sure to check out the list of local pros for all your home project needs.
Visit the NRV Home Expo Directory