Author: agcnews

The fast-worsening covid-19 pandemic has triggered layoffs at more than a quarter of construction firms responding to an online survey released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. The finding, based on responses from earlier this week, contrasts with the government’s monthly employment report for March, which found that construction employment declined by 29,000 as of mid-March. “The March employment data does a better job reflecting market conditions before the pandemic than it does the widespread disruptions that have occurred during the past few weeks,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. He noted that the federal employment figures are based…

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced new action regarding how American workers and employers will benefit from the protections and relief offered by the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act, both part of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The department’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) posted a temporary rule issuing regulations pursuant to this new law, effective today, April 1, 2020. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also issued “COVID-19-Related Tax Credits for Required Paid Leave Provided by Small and Midsize Businesses FAQs”. FFCRA provides small and midsize employers refundable tax credits that reimburse them…

Construction spending in February increased 6.0 percent from February 2019, with year-over-year gains in both residential and nonresidential outlays, according to a new analysis of federal data released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned that their latest survey shows conditions for contractors have deteriorated rapidly since February. They called on Congress to urgently pass targeted recovery measures to boost infrastructure funding, compensate firms for lost or delayed federally funded work, and provide needed pension relief. “Spending in February declined 1.3 percent from an upwardly revised, exceptionally strong pace in January that was aided by unusually mild winter…

The comment period closed March 10 on the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) proposed updates to the implementing rules for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). AGC filed a comprehensive letter on behalf of the construction industry in support of the proposal to promote more efficient, effective, and timely federal environmental reviews and permitting of infrastructure projects. AGC seeks to increase investment and project development in a manner that strengthens our economy and enhances environmental stewardship. To this end, AGC also supported the U.S. Chamber-led “Unlock American Investment” coalition’s extensive outreach, education and advocacy efforts – click here for coalition letter. The proposal has broad implications…

On Mar. 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) issued a new, temporary enforcement discretion policy for certain noncompliance events that can be documented and tied to the COVID-19 epidemic. U.S. EPA has emphasized that this new policy is not a “license to pollute.” The enforcement discretion is intended to address challenges in staffing that facilities or laboratories will likely face during the COVID-19 epidemic, which may constrain certain activities required by federal permits, including: compliance monitoring, sampling, reporting, “wet” signatures, or training as some of the listed examples. The policy applies to specified federal programs, states may take a different…

WASHINGTON – Lansing, Michigan-based Christman Constructors was named the most innovative construction firm in the country for developing an iOS-based application that brings job-placement logistics into the 21st century. The new application, CopperWorks, was created to meet the need to modernize manpower management in the building trades industry while addressing industry-wide workforce shortage. As a result, Christman Constructors was named as the grand prize winner of the AGC Innovation Awards, sponsored by Autodesk. “These awards recognize firms that have figured out the best way to work smarter so they can build better,” said Dirk Elsperman, the association’s president and executive vice president…

Construction firms are vulnerable to many forms of cyberattack, including social engineering, ransomware attacks, wire fraud, and hacking. On this episode, Nikki Ingram, a cybersecurity risk engineer with Zurich North America, talks about what you need to look out for and shares some tips and preventative measures that will help contractors protect themselves. Nikki also presented a breakout session on cyber risks at AGC’s 2020 Annual Convention in Las Vegas. Link to her PowerPoint: bit.ly/39wmwIF

Earlier this month, the National CLC Steering Committee met at AGC’s Annual Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. At this meeting the group thanked Ashley Phelps of Gilbane Building Company for her service as Chair from 2019-2020 and Gaines Moorer with Lakeview Risk Partners officially began his leadership for the 2020-2021 term. The group also welcomed new Steering Committee from across the nation for the 2020-2023 term including:

The 2019 AGC of America Outstanding Student Chapter Contest was broken up into three categories including Outstanding Emerging Student Chapter, Outstanding Community Service, and Outstanding Construction Management Skills. While many schools from across the country applied, the 2019 winners include: The three winning chapters received $2,000 each with a $1,000 travel stipend to attend AGC’s Annual Convention. They were selected by a panel of judges made up of practicing commercial contractors. Student chapters were evaluated on qualifying criteria in each of the three categories for exemplary demonstration of the AGC of America tenants of Skill, Responsibility & Integrity. The student chapters received their…

The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the release of new guidance. “Federal officials have, wisely, heeded our advice and opted to release new guidance that makes it clear that construction activities are included in its list of essential critical infrastructure workers. This new federal guidance should help eliminate the confusion and ambiguity that has led several state and local officials to needlessly order halts to construction activity that is clearly essential. Read more.