AGC of America is proud to announce the launch of the 2023 AGC Awards competitions! The Construction Risk Partners Build America Awards (including the Marvin M. Black Partnering Excellence category) and AGC in the Community competitions recognize the nation's most impressive construction projects ranging across the building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure, and federal and heavy divisions; those contractors excelling in their partnering and collaborative endeavors; and the charitable contractors and chapters giving back to their communities. 

 

The AGC Diversity & Inclusion Excellence Awards recognize contractors that are champions in advancing diversity and inclusion within their workforce, subcontractor-partners, supply chain, the association, and in the communities they serve. The AGC Diverse Business of the Year competition honors an outstanding diverse AGC member-firm that is committed to achieving business success, while also contributing to the association and communities in which they work.

 

In 2018, AGC of America celebrated 100 years of serving the construction industry. While we celebrated and recognized the past it is important that we continue to look to the future to address ongoing issues affecting the industry. In this spirit, AGC decided to make the Innovation Awards an annual award to incentivize and encourage free thinkers to provide pioneering solutions to industry challenges. 

 

Apply by Monday, October 24, 2022 for full consideration. Learn more about AGC of America's awards programs at www.agc.org/awards.

Deadline to apply is November 1, 2022

Each year the AGC Education and Research Foundation offers undergraduate and graduate level scholarships to students enrolled in ABET or ACCE accredited construction management or construction related engineering programs. The application opened July 1, 2022 and closes November 1, 2022. Over $10 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 4,000 students attending colleges and universities across the country. Through endowments made by AGC members and supporters, as well as AGC Chapters, the Education and Research Foundation awards over 100 scholarships each year to students dedicated to pursuing a career in the construction industry. Students can click here to apply. If you have any questions please contact Paige Packard, Program Director, AGC Education and Research Foundation, paige.packard@agc.org.

 

Construction firms added 32,000 jobs in July as the sector's unemployment rate fell to 3.5 percent and the number of unfilled construction positions approaches record levels, according to an analysis of federal employment data released recently by AGC of America. Association officials said the job gains were welcome news but would have been higher if firms could find more workers to hire.

 

On August 7, the U.S. Senate passed along party lines the AGC-opposed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), which for the first time ties prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship requirements as a condition for receiving tax incentives spurring the construction of clean energy projects and energy efficient commercial buildings (179D). To help provide some insight on these new requirements and tax incentives, AGC of America put forth an initial analysis found here. The IRA is expected to pass the U.S. House of Representatives on August 12 with the president signing it into law shortly thereafter. AGC will provide more detailed analysis of this bill soon. For more information, contact Jim Young at jim.young@agc.org.

 

The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction fell 1.3 percent last month, while contractors’ bid prices rose 5.4 percent, according to an analysis by AGC of America of government data released recently. Association officials noted that, despite the monthly decline, materials prices remain high and the availability of certain key materials erratic.

In this episode, AGC’s own Jimmy Christianson, Vice President of Government Relations, and Deniz Mustafa, Program Coordinator for the Building Division take a dive into what Buy America/n requirements are, why we have them, and what we may be able to expect from new Buy America Build America Act regulations that come with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. As government agencies work through their individual processes and procedures, AGC would like to prepare members for imminent changes involving material procurement.

When looking to save time and money on projects, several AGC member firms see several benefits in utilizing Touchplan. "Touchplan helps us plan work as well as track commitments: percent promised and complete," says Aaron Geiger, chief technology officer at Alberici, a member of multiple AGC chapters. Alberici is a North American construction company serving the civil, energy, institutional, commercial, heavy industrial, manufacturing, water/wastewater and automotive industries.
BY DEBRA WOOD

Be careful what you wish for; it just might happen. These behind-the-scenes meetings seem intriguing for loads of reasons, not the least of which include the intrigue and mystery that surrounds them. What do they talk about? Is there a secret plan for a merger, an acquisition? Are they talking about me, or you or the next big hire that will end up managing you? The answer is likely yes. As one dialed-in politician said: “If you aren’t at the table – you’re on the menu.” (attributed to both Ann Richards and Elizabeth Warren) Employees' professional fates are being decided behind those closed doors. Who will be hired, fired, or promoted? Who can execute, bring energy, energize others, and has an edge? Are you a good fit for the organization, mesh with their values, aspirations, and ways of being? It is important for you to ask these questions of yourself, to be proactive, to add value to the organization.
BY JACQUELINE A. FALLA, ELAINE CONSTRUCTION

It was a surprising sight for anyone strolling in the vicinity of Boston’s Beacon Hill on a Saturday morning in mid-May: a specially-designed 72-foot helicopter touching down at the Frog Pond on Boston Common (drained at the time), and then lifting enormous pieces of machinery into the sky above the gold-plated Massachusetts State House dome.

Hiring Our Heroes (HOH) connects the military community — service members, military spouses, and veterans — with American businesses to create economic opportunity and a strong and diversified workforce. For details on any event, please visit the Hiring Our Heroes Calendar.