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Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Greater Tennessee Chapter News & Updates

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February’s Construction Spending Decline Indicates What’s to Come, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, April 1—National nonresidential construction spending fell 1.8% in February, but is up 2.5% compared to the same time last year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, spending totaled $795.1 billion for the month. Private nonresidential spending declined 2% on a monthly basis and is down 0.7% compared to February 2019.  Public nonresidential construction spending was down 1.5% for the month, but is up 7.2% on a year-over-year basis. “Data characterizing the economy prior to the coronavirus outbreak continues to trickle in,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “While nonresidential construction spending declined in February, according to today’s data release, the decline was modest and overall performance was not substantially different from prior months. “However, with communities in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California an ... Read the rest of entry »

Knox and Davidson County SAFER AT HOME ORDERS

To further combat the spread of COVID-19, the Metro County and Knox County Health Departments have issued a Safer at Home Order — directing all residents of Nashville and Davidson and Knox Counties to stay inside their homes, and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely necessary to take care of essential needs.

Construction and facilities design businesses have been deemed essential at this time.For full details, follow the links below. 

Read More: Davidson County

Read More: Knox County

Nashville Business Journal: Delays loom at construction sites. For now, contractors are taking their temperatures

Mike Meagher, whose construction company is building two Midtown high-rises, has ordered a dozen laser thermometers to check the temperatures of work crews. And he's limiting how many people ride in a buckhoist, an elevator that can fit as many as 30 workers.

At the Fifth + Broadway project downtown, where 550 people work each day, Dennis Georgatos has nixed the routine "stretch and flex" group gatherings that mark the start of a shift and help orchestrate the day's activity.

Read more...

ABC Modified Office Schedule

Dear ABC Greater Tennessee Members, ABC Greater Tennessee’s top priority has always been to deliver superior service to our members and students. To do that in the current environment, we are taking every precaution possible to protect the health and safety of our team and their families. Therefore, in step with much of the rest of the country, ABC Greater Tennessee’s offices will be closed with staff working remotely from March 16th to March 27th. During this period, our team will be available to you during regular business hours by email and phone as usual – though maybe not as quickly.  We are monitoring COVID-19 pandemic updates closely and will extend these working arrangements on a week-by-week basis as the situation warrants. Our staff is committed to continually serving the industry and our members through this process. DATES TO NOTE: Craft Training classes are suspended begi ... Read the rest of entry »

The PRO Act is an assault on worker freedom, choice and privacy | Opinion

Hardworking people from coast to coast have hit the new decade with the economic wind at their backs. In the construction industry, for example, there are more job opportunities than people to fill them, and construction unemployment in Tennessee stood at 3.1% last December. 

Wages are growing, and it’s never been easier to access low-cost education programs to launch a career in the field. Indeed, there are many reasons to be optimistic in 2020.

However, Last week, the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives dealt a harsh blow to U.S. workers and Tennessee’s booming economy by passing a bill that would bypass America’s labor laws and give union bosses greater power to coerce employees to join unions in the face of a decades-long membership decline. 

Read more at The Tennessean...

Construction Dive's 'mini megacities' to watch: Nashville, Tennessee

Commercial contractors know that government roadblocks and regulations can slow even the most booming construction market while business-friendly policies can stoke development.

The latter is definitely the case for Nashville, Tennessee, which boasts one of the strongest economies of any U.S. metropolitan area. These days, builders and businesses there not only enjoy unprecedented economic growth but also the support of elected officials from city council members to the governor's mansion, with Tennessee’s Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who ran a mechanical contracting business for 20 years before entering politics. A longtime member of Associated Builders and Contractors, Lee understands how the principals of a free enterprise approach supports local businesses and industry.​

Read more...

Nashville Morning News: Nashville's booming growth continues & that means career opportunities!

Hear ABC Greater Tennessee President, Clay Crownover on Nashville Morning News discuss the booming growth for Nashville and what that means for the construction trades. Link

ABC Celebrates Safety in the Industry

On October 16, 2019 the Associated Builders and Contractors recognized and awarded ABC members for their best safety practices. Participating ABC member companies measured their safety processes and policies on 24 key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents.  Guest speaker Steve Hawkins, Deputy Commissioner of Employment Safety and Security for the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, plays a key role in several safety organizations throughout the state. After addressing the audience, Hawkins presented all award winners with their awards.  CLICK HERE to view event photos 2019 STEP Award Winners Diamond - Carter Group, LLC - Gaylor Electric, Inc.  Platinum - Batten & Shaw, Inc.- Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC - Concrete Pump Partners - FAST Electrical Contractors, Inc. - HOAR Construction, LLC - JE Dunn Construction - Robins & ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Celebrates Political Wins of 2019

Off the heels of the most exciting legislative session for the construction industry in years, ABC- Greater Tennessee was able to pass a majority of our legislative priorities for the year. Thank you to all of the ABC members for their help in marking this achievement. ABC Greater Tennessee is looking forward to many more successes in the years to come.  Below is an update on each piece of legislation that ABC - Greater Tennessee pushed in the Tennessee General Assembly in 2019.  SB324/HB 271  Payment Rights of contractors and subcontractors (Sen. Johnson/Rep. Gant) Prohibits a written contract to have a condition precedent for payment clause where the prime contractor is not required to pay the remote contractor due to contract or until they are paid by the construction owner. Declares that if payment is not received, work by contractor can be suspended until received. Makes other revisions relative to the payment rights of contractors and subcontractors. ABC Position: ... Read the rest of entry »

ENR: Gearing up for continued growth

“Construction is still booming in Tennessee,” says Clay Crownover, president and CEO of ABC- Greater Tennessee chapter. But as with most other regions of the country, finding qualified construction professionals to fill the boots can be daunting.

Read more at ENR...