Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday issued stating that nearly all construction activities in the state must cease through April 8.

Construction, with a few exceptions, is not considered “essential” under the state’s announced previously. Those exceptions are:

• “construction related to essential activities as described in the order;
• to further a public purpose related to a public entity or governmental function or facility, including but not limited to publicly financed low-income housing; or
• to prevent spoliation and avoid damage or unsafe conditions, and address emergency repairs at both nonessential businesses and residential structures.”

“It’s a devastating body blow to construction in Southwest Washington,” Andrea Smith, communications manager for the Building Industry Association of Clark County stated via email Wednesday night. The trade group represents more than 12,000 construction workers through its member companies.

Inslee’s order provides for construction companies to engage only in “minimum basic operations” needed to maintain inventory and the condition and security of physical assets.

Washington is now one of two states with wide-ranging construction work stoppages as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The other is Pennsylvania, which ordered “non life-sustaining businesses” in seven urban counties to shutter on March 19. That included all construction, from heavy civil to single-family residential.

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The Building Industry Association (BIA) of Clark County board of directors has gained two new members.

2020 President Dave Myllymaki recently appointed Chuck Neibert as builder director and Janice Hall-Matteo as supporter director. Neibert is co-founder of Affinity Homes LLC and Hall-Matteo is founder and owner of Elite Realty NW.

“We are excited to have these two dynamic individuals join the BIA’s board of directors,” Myllymaki stated in a press release. “Both Chuck and Janice will add a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience that will complement our current leadership makeup well.”

The BIA is a nonprofit trade association that represents the interests of all businesses involved with real estate, land development, homebuilding and construction.

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