Washington’s home builders do more than build and remodel homes in communities across the state. They also invest in their communities through Main Street Washington.

The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), through its Member Services Corporation, is contributing another $50,000 this year to five Main Street Washington organizations dedicated to revitalizing historic business districts. The association started this annual investment in 2024 and has contributed $150,000 total.

As a Main Street America Coordinating Program, Washington Main Street is part of a  grassroots network consisting of over 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the U.S. These groups work to build stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.

BIAW invests in the communities we serve

Each year, MSC directors choose five organizations in areas where BIAW members live, work and build homes. This year’s first Mainstreet check celebration takes place at the Downtown Moses Lake Association, served by the Spokane Home Builders Association. The DMLA cultivates a “thriving downtown district that offers a diverse range of businesses, services, and events that attract visitors and support local residents.”

Representatives of the Spokane Home Builders Association will join the Downtown Moses Lake Association to celebrate their $10,000 contribution at their Coffee & Conversation After Dark event from 5:30 to 7 pm on Sept. 3 at Moore Brewing, 302 W Broadway Avenue in Moses Lake.

Builders will celebrate the other four organizations at events later this year, including

• The Cle Elum Downtown Association, served by the Central Washington Home Builders Association, focuses on “preserving, promoting and enhancing Cle Elum’s Historic Downtown” by creating “partnerships that stimulate economic activity and action for renewed sense of pride and community.”
• The Downtown Camas Association, served by the Building Industry Association of Clark County, started in 2009 to rebuild a struggling historic downtown and has since reduced the downtown vacancy rate to 1%.
• The Bainbridge Island Downtown Association, served by the Kitsap Building Association, works to “revitalize and strengthen the downtown for local businesses, the community, and out-of-town visitors, while preserving and celebrating the authenticity of Bainbridge as a unique place to live, work, visit, stay, dine, shop and play.”
• The Centralia Downtown Association, served by the Olympia Master Builders, “brings together residents, merchants, and leaders to create a vibrant downtown Centralia.”

Cutting tax, giving back

In addition to helping Main Street programs thrive, MSC directors used the Main Street Washington Tax Credit Incentive Program to secure a $37,500 Business & Occupation (B&O) tax credit—75% of their total investment. The program allows any Washington business to contribute up to $250,000 annually to Main Street organizations or the statewide trust fund in exchange for a credit.
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