Author: Jeanie Clapp

Cold-weather concreting strategies for commercial contractors BY JENNIFER MIZER, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING SERVICES, EUCLID CHEMICAL, AN INLAND NORTHWEST CHAPTER-AGC MEMBER When winter grips a jobsite, concrete often takes the blame for slowing progress. But concrete itself isn’t the problem — it’s how we manage it as temperatures drop, hydration slows, set times stretch, and finishing windows shrink. These are not deal-breakers, just variables. The real difference between success and failure in cold-weather concreting comes down to understanding the science and then applying it with the same precision you’d give any other aspect of construction. For commercial contractors who are balancing…

ALICE Technologies is taking builders through the looking glass and into a future where artificial intelligence, via its new Insights Agent tool, can help them master their schedules and maximize their productivity. Suffolk Construction is among the large national construction firms aiding in its evolution. BY A.D. THOMPSON The schedule, said Aleksey Chuprov, is the heart of the project. “It’s everything — what is happening, the approach, the procurement, the installation. All the work of building, it ties to the schedule.” The schedule, in fact, said Chuprov, senior vice president, data & IT at Suffolk Construction, a member of multiple…

Charity art auction blends imagination with industry to inspire Detroit’s next wave of skilled workers BY JEANIE J. CLAPP Across the country, AGC members have long stepped up when their communities need them most — whether rebuilding after natural disasters, funding scholarships for construction students, or volunteering time and expertise to repair schools, shelters, and community centers. That spirit of generosity runs deep in the AGC community. It’s that spirit that’s at the heart of Hard Hats for Detroit, the annual charity art auction launched in 2023 by Sachse Construction, an AGC of Michigan member, as a creative way to…

Volatility and momentum collide as contractors chart their course through 2026. BY AMY KING The construction industry is expected to enter 2026 facing uneven demand, rapid technological change, and persistent workforce shortages. From economic uncertainty to accelerating AI adoption and evolving federal policy, contractors must navigate a year of both challenges and opportunities. Economic Outlook When it comes to the economy, 2026 is expected to be highly uneven for the construction industry, according to Ken Simonson, AGC of America’s chief economist. Markets tied to data centers and electric power are expected to remain exceptionally strong, with spending potentially surpassing 2025…

How AI is reshaping construction from the ground up By now, much ink has been spilled over the workforce shortage in the construction industry. But not only is there a lack of skilled workers, there’s also been a consistent loss of productivity. In fact, an August 2024 report from McKinsey Global Institute noted that there is a total of nearly $1 trillion in lost productivity each year. One way several major construction firms are addressing this is by incorporating AI to streamline their operations and catch expensive mistakes. But there’s often a hesitation within the construction industry to adopt new…

TrueLook camera helps monitor progress at NHL practice facility BY NICK FORTUNA When the Utah Mammoth opened rookie training camp at their new practice facility in September, there were cameras all around, as team videographers and local news crews worked to capture every slap shot and glove save. But in actuality, filming at the hockey facility had started a full year prior, with Layton Construction, a member of multiple AGC chapters, using a TrueLook camera to monitor activity at the fast-moving jobsite. As general contractor for the highprofile project in Sandy, Utah, Layton Construction had installed a single highresolution camera…

A guide for construction executives BY SCOTT SCHULTZ, CHIEF UNDERWRITING OFFICER, THE HARTFORD AND MICHAEL WOLF, U.S. ECONOMIST FOR THE HARTFORD’S GLOBAL INSIGHTS CENTER U.S. trade policy is adding another layer of challenges for construction companies after years of persistent inflation, supply chain concerns and critical labor shortages. Tariff policies could have wide-ranging cost implications for construction companies beyond the price of overseas building materials. Historically, global tariffs have also raised prices on domestically made materials. To help navigate ongoing uncertainty, below are four key strategies for construction leaders as trade and geopolitical developments continue to unfold. 1. Understand the…

A Closer Look at the Emerging Roles in Today’s Construction Industry BY JEANIE J. CLAPP This year marks the 100th anniversary of Columbia Construction, an AGC of Massachusetts member – a firm with projects spanning the academic, corporate, healthcare, hospitality, interiors, science + technology, and energy sectors. But Columbia’s centennial story is more than a milestone — it’s a reflection of the construction industry’s transformation. New roles in wellness, belonging, innovation, energy and technology show how the industry has expanded its scope while staying true to its foundation: building safely, efficiently and with purpose. The Past When Columbia President Shaun…

Construction of data centers is surging, but labor and supply-chain challenges persist. BY NICK FORTUNA Across the country, AGC members have been building large data centers at breakneck pace to fuel the rise of artificial intelligence, and by any metric, the race is just getting started. Technology giants such as Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and OpenAI have pledged trillions of dollars toward the construction of giant data centers, and in July, President Trump issued an executive order to streamline their development through accelerated permitting, financial incentives and the easing of environmental regulations. Data centers used about 4.4% of total U.S.…

Just about any business venture can be a gamble, but the construction industry is rife with risk across the spectrum. From rising tariffs to rising temps, here are some of AGC’s top concerns. BY A.D. THOMPSON Though no era is without its challenges – and certainly not without its risks – if ever there were a time when contractors, whether trade or specialty or general, could choose their work rather than beg for it, says Brian Turmail, it’s now. But owners, too, says Turmail, vice president of public affairs and workforce development at AGC of America, have leverage. “They’re more…