First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Update

Lew Sichelman posted an article on Marketwatch about the latest update to the First Time Home Buyer’s Tax Credit.  According to Sichelman, home buyers will not be able to use the tax credit for a down payment.  The credit can be used up front for additional down payment, or used to buy the mortgage rate down, but home buyers will have to come up with the down payment on their own.  Read the full article from Marketwatch here:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/advance-on-home-buyer-credit-cant-be-down-payment

The leaders of the Tri-cities are beginning to take serious action in giving a voice to their City’s younger residents.  Thursday night’s meeting involved mainly the more active members of four groups: The Young Professionals of the Tri-Cities, Rotaract, Young Leaders Society, and Bechtel’s NextGen.  Many attendees even play a role in multiple groups.  The Young Professionals is an organization that meets monthly for networking purposes and also promotes activity in the community such as attending council meetings.  Rotaract is a service club for young adults, and a recognized club with Rotary International, an organization that gives hundreds of millions of dollars worldwide.  The Young Leaders Society operates with the United Way and last year raised over $100,000.  NextGen is a group started by Bechtel Corporation to develop new employees and has since grown to community service aspects.  Together these groups form a considerable voice of people who care and are actively involved within their communities.

Recently the cities have taken more than an interest in its younger citizens.  Thursday night was a chance for a number of individuals from each group to gather at the Chamber / TRIDEC / Convention Bureau office and share their ideas on the future of the Tri-Cities from a development standpoint.  A number of city people were there, as well as some people from the Port.  Together we all had a lot of fun brainstorming a long range development plan that would attract persons in the 20-30 or so demographic.

The meeting was a huge step forward in giving this age group a voice, but it cannot be dropped.  The Cities were shown that this demographic wants to be a contributing part of the process, and likewise that the City leaders want their involvement.  The next step will be more important yet.  If this excitement is not fostered into the development of committees and other ways for young persons to get involved, then the the city leaders will be taking two steps back.  I am not worried about the young persons excitement waning.

All of the young groups have seen growth since they started, and along with that a call for more ways to get involved.  The younger demographic in our area will not lie down even if the city were to get sidetracked.  Look to see the young people of the Tri-Cities, Washington to take control of thier future and make it a better place for people of all ages.

The Tri-Cities, WA first Tweetup was held wednesday, January 14.  In all there 9 tweeple in attendance and we had a great time.  The even was set up by Craig Sutton, aka @craigsutton, and was held at Bookwalter Winery.  If you have a business meeting, or friendly meeting and want a relaxed atmosphere, definately check out Bookwalter.   As twitter’s influence grows we expect the amount of Twitter users in the area to grow making future events a must attend to meet the people you follow in real life.  This is a great way to meet new people and network.  More info about future tweetups will be coming soon.

For more information on Twitter, visit Twitter.com

The wind sure was howling last night.  Vista Field airport recorded a gust of 62 mph, and about the same was said elsewhere.  While it makes a bad hair day certain for ladies, the wind has its advantages.  How else can you get rid of snow and mud in 24 hours?  Air purity is another plus.  A high wind like last night’s probably isn’t needed, but the wind we get regularly keeps our air circulating and clean.  Visit anywhere in a valley that doesn’t get much wind and an occasional breeze you will be thankful for.