High-Quality, American-Built Skylights and Other Products

Established in 1982, CrystaLite is a Northwest manufacturer of high-quality skylights, roof glazing, sun rooms, and railing systems for residential, commercial, and industrial markets. Based in Everett, Washington, CrystaLite has additional distribution and sales locations in Spokane and Salem, Oregon, and employs 60 total employees. Materials are sourced in America and all products are manufactured in the Pacific Northwest. The company sells its products across the United States.

Lots of Hats

Cathy Hieb is Controller and Secretary/Treasurer of CrystaLite, but assumes other roles. "My background is in finance. I started 13 years ago as the company Controller and have just recently assumed the corporate responsibility as Secretary/Treasurer. I handle the company finances, like quarterly/monthly reporting, financial statements, payroll, AR, and AP. But I wear a lot of other hats. I'm also personal secretary to the President and Vice President."

Big Cost Savings From the MBA Trust

CrystaLite has been a member of the MBA Health Trust for 12 years. "Cost savings is the big advantage to being in the Trust," Cathy says. "These days, keeping health insurance costs down but still providing employees what they need is a challenge. We pay 100 percent of our employees' premiums and that's something we want to continue to do if it's affordable."

Significant Savings Compared to Other Plans

Cathy says CrystaLite goes out for bid every year for health insurance but always finds the best options with the MBA. "We've even had other insurance companies approach us for our business and then tell us that the MBA Health Trust is way better, the savings are so significant, that we should just stay with them. Only once did we go to another plan, but then we came back to the Trust."

The MBA Trust Gives Crystalite Plan Flexibility

CrystaLite employees have the choice between two plan options, depending on their personal needs and circumstances. "About seven years ago, the high-deductible HSA program came on the scene and we were the first company to jump on board," Cathy relates. "We offer our employees two programs: a traditional plan for those who use more doctor visits and the high-deductible health-savings account for those who just want to make sure they have catastrophic coverage. Now we have 90 percent on the HSA program. You can still see any doctor you want and all the major hospitals in Seattle are covered. The HSA plan is affordable for us but still offers major benefits for our employees when they really need it."

Strong Broker Relationship

"Our administrator is EPK," says Cathy. "They're very good. They know our company very well and what our goals are. If I have a question, they are giving me answers right on the first phone call. Adding or terminating employees is accomplished pretty much the same day. They are really good at that."

Reports Confirm Home Building’s Significant Contributions to Washington’s Economy

Two newly released reports from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), commissioned by the Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW), highlight the substantial economic benefits generated by homebuilding across Washington state.

Together, the reports show that residential construction plays a major role in supporting jobs, generating income for residents, and providing critical revenue for state and local governments.

Economic Benefits During Construction

The first report examines the economic activity created during the year homes are built, including job creation, wages, and tax revenue. Using housing production data from the 12-month period ending April 2025 and based on estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM), NAHB analyzed the direct and indirect impacts of new residential construction.

These impacts include not only construction-related employment and income, but also the ripple effects as workers and businesses spend earnings throughout the local economy.

For single-family homes, the construction of 14,348 homes generated an estimated one-year local impact of:

• $5.16 billion in income for Washington residents
• $1.25 billion in state and local taxes and other public revenue
• 44,686 jobs statewide
  

For multifamily homes, construction of 32,368 homes generated an estimated:

• $10.81 billion in income for Washington residents
• $2.18 billion in state and local taxes and other public revenue
• 92,916 jobs statewide

These figures reflect both direct construction activity and indirect economic activity driven by household and business spending.

Ongoing, Annual Economic Impacts

The reports also highlight the recurring annual benefits that continue once new homes are occupied. These impacts reflect the economic activity generated as residents live, work, and pay taxes in their communities

The annual recurring impacts of the newly built homes include:

Single-family homes (14,348 units):

• $978 million in income for Washington residents
• $355 million in state and local taxes and revenue
• 10,041 jobs

Multifamily homes (32,368 units):

• $2.17 billion in income for Washington residents
• $702 million in state and local taxes and revenue
• 22,345 jobs

These benefits continue year after year, underscoring how housing availability supports long-term economic vitality across the state.

Comparing Public Costs and Public Benefits

At a more practical level, NAHB’s findings show that every 100 homes built in Washington generate approximately $34 million in income, $7 million in public revenue, and support nearly 300 jobs—illustrating why residential development produces significant returns for both local economies and public budgets.

A separate NAHB analysis compared the public costs of residential development—such as infrastructure, services, and capital investment—to the revenue generated for state and local governments.

The findings show that, from a public finance perspective, residential development more than pays for itself within the first year.

Over a 15-year period, newly built single-family and multifamily homes combined are projected to generate:

• $18.76 billion in cumulative state and local revenue
• Compared to $9.42 billion in total public costs

Over that same period, the homes are expected to generate approximately $9.34 billion in net revenue, effectively doubling the public investment in infrastructure such as roads, schools, and essential services.

A Broad Benefit for Washington Communities

Taken together, the reports reinforce the far-reaching economic value of homebuilding in our state. Residential construction supports jobs, strengthens local economies, and provides a sustainable source of public revenue that helps fund community priorities across the state.

Resources

• The Economic Impact of Home Building in Washington: Income, Jobs and Taxes Generated — NAHB (November 2025)
• The Economic Impact of Home Building in Washington: Comparing Costs to Revenue for State and Local Governments — NAHB (November 2025)
• Homebuilders Offer Relief for State’s Budget Woes — BIAW (December 1, 2025)

By MBAKS Senior Policy Analyst Allison Butcher

The unemployment rate for Seattle, Bellevue, and Everett jumped to 14.5% in April, reflecting major job losses due to COVID-19. Statewide, the construction industry lost 81,000 jobs between March and April, a 32.5% drop. Meanwhile, home prices have been holding steady, with year-over-year median home prices up in King and Snohomish counties amid continued low housing inventory.

The Builder's Bulletin is intended to provide a convenient way to track housing in our market and includes information from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, State of the Cities Data Systems, Office of Financial Management, and the Washington State Employment Security Department.

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