In Episode #3 of Season 2 of Community Builders, We sit down with Brandon Slater of Slater & Son Construction, a third generation Chico builder whose family has helped shape the city since 1948.
Brandon reflects on returning to Chico after working in the Bay Area, why his company prioritizes people over growth, and how a family business mindset influences the way they treat employees, clients, and partners. He also talks about the importance of staying connected to the community that has supported their work for generations.
The conversation goes deeper into one of Chico’s biggest challenges: housing and homelessness. Brandon walks through his work with CHAT and local organizations, the thinking behind Hope Village, and the housing models he has built to create real paths toward stability. He also explains why affordable housing is so hard to build in California and how Chico can keep pushing for practical solutions without losing the human side of the issue.
If you care about Chico’s future and the people working to strengthen it, this episode offers a grounded look at how community is built through craft, collaboration, and long term care.
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👉 Watch the live video recorded episode here
EPISODE CREDITS:
Hosted by Dorian Cohen
Produced by Metric Studios
Edited by Michael Bone and Seth Ryan Trachtman
Audio mixed by Michael Bone
Artwork designed by Dorian Cohen
Segment jingles licensed through Music Bed
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