Author: agcnews

Construction firms are experiencing widespread project deferrals and cancellations, along with disruptions to ongoing work and few new project awards, as the economic damage from the pandemic drags down industry employment in metro areas across the nation, according to a new survey and an analysis of new government data that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials urged Congress to pass new coronavirus relief measures to head off further job losses. “The survey results make it clear that the months-long pandemic is undermining demand for projects, disrupting vital supply chains and clouding the industry’s outlook,” said Ken…

Tonya Jackson has over 25 years of experience in the areas of business development, marketing, and sales. Jackson is a 16-year veteran of RA-LIN and Associates Inc., a Georgia construction management firm, where she works as a business development manager. She serves on the AGC of America Business Development Forum Steering Committee as well on the board of directors for Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, Douglas County Education Foundation and Douglas County Schools Partners in Education; WellStar-Douglas Hospital Authority Board; University of West Georgia Foundation; committees of the Georgia Economic Developers Association and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce; and the Society of Marketing…

On October 15, AGC called for the establishment and implementation of a nationwide plan for the distribution of approved coronavirus vaccines in letters to President Trump and candidate Biden. Within that plan, AGC articulated the need to help avoid interruptions of the essential work that the construction industry performs as the result of voluminous and conflicting government guidelines and orders, among other things. AGC continues to remind government officials and the public of the construction industry’s designation as essential and its ability to operate in a safe and effective manner throughout this pandemic. For more information, contact Jimmy Christianson at jimmy.christianson@agc.org.

In response to the pandemic, the president issued an executive order establishing a Coronavirus Mental Health Working Group to respond to the mental-health conditions induced or exacerbated by the pandemic, including issues related to suicide. The Partnership for Employer-Sponsored Coverage—of which AGC is a member—provided input to the Working Group. There, the coalition expressed support for expanding access to telehealth services to all employees, including variable workforces. In addition, the coalition noted support for addressing access to affordable mental and behavioral health care, thereby avoiding large out-of-network bills or even surprise medical bills to employees. AGC continues to advocate for avenues for its members…

As of October 22, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin appear close to agreement on an approximately $2 trillion COVID-relief bill. The details of exactly what would be included in such a bill remain largely under wraps. Outstanding issues include the size of state and local government funding and liability protections for businesses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicated that he would allow a vote on a bipartisan agreement after it passes the House. However, as negotiations remain fluid and days before the election for writing, reviewing, and voting on a final bill dwindle, the chances of…

On October 21, legislation to provide an additional half trillion in COVID-relief failed to advance in the Senate. The Senate also considered a narrower bill to extend, modify, and provide additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), but it was blocked as well. While the PPP legislation provided some important improvements to the PPP program and allowed businesses to take out “second draw” loans, it failed to address AGC’s biggest priority for PPP: reversing the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) decision to disallow tax deductions for business expenses associated with PPP loan forgiveness. This decision will lead to a surprise…

As previously reported, AGC and many other members of the business community, including the American Council of Engineering Companies, the American Institute of Architects and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have called on President Trump to rescind Executive Order 13950 on “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping.” The EO has already caused much confusion and uncertainty. AGC remains concerned that it could cause much more. AGC also fears that it could fuel federal investigations of government contractors for simply trying to promote diversity and combating discrimination in the workplace. AGC engaged one of Washington’s leading law firms to take a hard look at the EO…

According to the latest Contractor Compensation Quarterly (CCQ) published by PAS, Inc., Open Shop contractors anticipate skilled craft hourly wage increases of 2.64% in 2020 (2.91% excluding zeros). Actual increases for 2019 were 3.25% (including zeros) and 3.26% (excluding zeros). These increases are across the board for all craft, contractor types, sizes, and regions of the country. WorldatWork reports 2020 actual construction increases at 3.1% for Non-exempt Hourly Non-union positions. Historically, our projected numbers are slightly lower than the actual year end figure, but in this year of COVID-19, that most likely won’t be the case. The chart below shows how open…

The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has revamped the Employment Referral Resource Directory (ERRD). The ERRD lists government and nonprofit organizations as references to assist federal contractors’ hiring of qualified applicants. ERRD was developed as a compliance assistance tool to help federal contractors identify local job referral services for veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and minority groups. OFCCP hopes these updates will allow federal contractors to navigate the directory more easily to meet their compliance obligations. The new modernized ERRD provides the following benefits: OFCCP has committed itself to providing proactive, meaningful compliance assistance to help contractors understand and…

Only eight states and the District of Columbia have recouped the severe pandemic-induced losses of construction jobs that occurred last spring, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials warned that job losses will become even more widespread unless lawmakers promptly renew and expand the loan program that enabled firms to temporarily retain and rehire many workers. “New spikes in coronavirus cases, along with ongoing pandemic-related costs and revenue losses, are causing ever more private owners, developers, and public agencies to delay and cancel projects,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief…