Author: agcnews
Construction Officials Note Spending Figures Foreshadow New Data the Association is Releasing Tomorrow Shoring the Ongoing Impacts of the Coronavirus on the Construction Workforce and Demand Total construction spending ticked up from June to July, as gains in residential and public construction offset a dip in private nonresidential projects, according to a new analysis of federal construction spending data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Officials noted, however, that challenges remain for the industry, particularly because of continuing problems with coronavirus flare-ups and supply-chain disruptions. “Although nonresidential construction is no longer in free fall, many categories face continuing…
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett and Waterbury, Conn. Top Lists of Metros with Year-over-Year Employment Gains; Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, Atlantic City-Hammonton, N.J., Evansville, Ind.-Ky. Lose the Most Three-fourths of all metro areas added construction jobs between July 2020 and last month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials noted that while many metro areas have added jobs since last summer, construction employment still lags pre-pandemic levels in many areas as the industry faces a host of challenges. “The rapid spread of the delta variant of coronavirus, along with soaring materials costs and multiple supply-chain…
The 2021 CLC Leadership Development Conference (LDC) was held in Chicago, IL August 11-13. Co-hosted by AGC of America and the Chicagoland AGC. The event brought together over 250 emerging construction leaders from across the country in various construction sectors to network, learn and share. The conference featured important session topics like cybersecurity, team building & growing leadership, communication strategies, and CLC best practices roundtables. A highlight of the event was the dinner cruise on the Odyssey Lake Michigan. Conference attendees networked with industry peers with breathtaking Chicago views and perfect weather. Special thanks to Stacey Kelly and all the…
On August 24, the Federal Aviation Administration announced the award of $766 million in airport infrastructure grants to 279 airports as part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP). The AIP grant program awards billions of dollars each year for the planning and development of public-use airports across the country. As part of the AGC-supported fiscal year 2021 funding bill, the program received $3.75 billion in federal funding, $400M more than is authorized by the FAA Reauthorization Act. AGC applauds this funding announcement and will continue to support investment in our nation’s airport infrastructure. Click “learn more” to view the announcement and look at an…
Set a Non-Binding Sept. 27 Deadline; Highway & Transit Programs Expire Sept. 30 On August 24, Speaker Pelosi and several moderate Democrats agreed to pass the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill—formally entitled the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA)—no later than Sept. 27, before federal-aid highway and transit programs expire on Sept. 30. Included in the IIJA is the AGC-supported, record $304 billion, five-year Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act that makes investment in the nation’s highway, road, and bridge programs, representing a 34% increase in spending over current levels of funding. This Sept. 27 agreement came after AGC members sent over 10,000 messages to Capitol Hill…
Negotiations Underway to Determine What is Actually Included in the Bill On August 24, the House of Representatives passed—on a 220 to 212 party-line vote—a $3.5 trillion budget resolution that advances the legislative process for the enactment of President Biden’s human infrastructure proposal. The House and Senate are trying to pass the bill before the end of September. However, the actual legislative details of exactly what will be included in the human infrastructure bill remain under intense intra-party negotiation among Democrats in both the House and Senate, as no Republican vote is needed to pass this legislation. The new human infrastructure initiatives…
In a July 21 decision, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or Board) in Lippert Components, Inc., found that a union did not violate the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) by displaying a 12-foot inflatable rat (known as Scabby the Rat) and two large banners, one targeting a neutral employer, near the public entrance to a trade show. AGC filed an amicus brief in the case in December, urging the Board to change the standard for assessing such displays established during the Obama administration and to find the union’s conduct unlawful. Under that standard, displays of bannering and inflatable rats, even when targeting neutral employers,…
Texas, Louisiana Register the Worst Job Losses Since February 2020, As Utah and Idaho Add the Most; Colorado and N.H. Have Worst Losses in July, While N.C., N.J. and Connecticut Lead Job Gainers Construction employment in July remained below the levels reached before the pre-pandemic peak in February 2020 in 36 states, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government employment data released today. Association officials said construction employment would benefit from new federal infrastructure investments and urged the House to quickly pass the bipartisan infrastructure bill. “This data shows that full recovery remains elusive for construction in…
AGC of America recently provided comments on the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s (PBGC) interim final rule implementing the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) special financial assistance program. The special financial assistance program is designed to help financially troubled multiemployer pension plans avoid insolvency for the next 30 years. AGC participated in a NCCMP working group of stakeholders to help provide detailed and substantive comments with recommendations to improve the rule and make it more in line with Congressional intent. AGC America also signed onto another comment letter submitted by a group of employer organizations. Unfortunately, the initial interpretation from the PBGC limited the amount of assistance…
AGC of America recently provided comments on the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation’s (PBGC) interim final rule implementing the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) special financial assistance program. The special financial assistance program is designed to help financially troubled multiemployer pension plans avoid insolvency for the next 30 years. AGC participated in a NCCMP working group of stakeholders to help provide detailed and substantive comments with recommendations to improve the rule and make it more in line with Congressional intent. AGC America also signed onto another comment letter submitted by a group of employer organizations. Unfortunately, the initial interpretation from the PBGC limited the amount of assistance…