Habitat for Humanity, Butte County, CA, and the Paradise Ridge Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming new homeowners to Paradise, reports NRMCA Senior Director, Building Innovations, Patrick Matsche. NRMCA is extremely proud to celebrate the first three non-combustible Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Habitat for Humanity International homes opened in the community. Thanks to the generous donations and support of the ready mixed concrete industry, these homes represent the NRMCA’s ongoing efforts to build safe, energy efficient and resilient communities across America.
Devastated by the 2018 Camp Fire, Paradise is rebuilding. At last count, 25 new ICF housing units have been built or are under construction. California Insurance Commission representative Ricardo Lara presented Butte County with a special Habitat for Humanity proclamation honoring the fire safe, resilient construction of the ICF homes.
Habitat's Butte County official Nicole Bateman (seen here with Gregg Lewis at left and Patrick Matsche) stated, “It was really meaningful to have you there in the beginning and then to celebrate the completion with you all. We sincerely appreciate your support of Habitat and our community. We are finally on an upward momentum of getting things done and collectively celebrating all of our successes. We could not have done it without your partnership and support. You truly made a difference in our community’s recovery process. Thank you!”
Ms. Bateman presented NRMCA with a plaque “with great appreciation for your partnership as we work to help rebuild Paradise, California.”
After accepting the plaque, NRMCA’s Gregg Lewis remarked, “This project in Paradise is one of a number we are working on at the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. We have a relationship and partnership with Habitat for Humanity International and, loosely speaking, we are talking about building 50 concrete Habitat houses in 50 states over the next 5 years. I can tell you that a year and half in, by the time we close out 2022, we will have built 45 Habitat houses in 29 states. As you can imagine, it’s been a labor of love for everyone involved and it’s a lot of work, but it’s definitely gratifying to see those houses come up out of the ground.”
Rep. Doug LaMalfa (CA-1), presented the new homeowners with U.S. flags that have flown over the Capitol in Washington, DC. Mr. LaMalfa complimented the build teams for supporting the efforts to rebuild communities of Northern California affected by fire and natural disasters.
Joining Build With Strength’s Patrick Matsche at the ribbon cutting was Fox Blocks’ Mike Dalzell, NRMCA Producer Mathews Readymix's Roberto Montes, Paradise Mayor Steve Crowder, former Habitat Board member Chelsea Irvine, and members of the Habitat Board and Paradise residents.
This project, along with other Habitat homes, could not be built without the generous support of the local ready mixed concrete industry. Special thanks to Dana Davis of Teichert Materials; Jaret Ramirez, Associated Ready Mix; Mike Philipps, NRMCA; Mike Kennaw, Fox Blocks & ICF-MA; Tarek Kahn, Master Builders; Dennis Speer, Helix; Bob’s Pumping & American Concrete Pumping Association and CSU-Chico CIM program volunteers among many others.
Click here to view coverage of the event. For more information, contact Patrick Matsche at pmatsche@nrmca.org or 415-672-5275.
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association