News

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 »

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 »

Construction Job Growth Steady in June, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, July 5 – The construction industry added 21,000 net new jobs in June, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, employment in the industry has expanded by 224,000 jobs, representing an increase of 3.1%. Nonresidential construction employment gained 14,900 net jobs in June and is up 146,700 jobs during the last 12 months.   All major segments of nonresidential construction added jobs in June, with the bulk of job growth in the nonresidential specialty trade contractor segment, which added 11,900 net new positions. The construction unemployment rate stood at 4% in June, down 0.7% from the same time last year, and unemployment across all industries was 3.7%, slightly higher than 3.6% in May. “Today’s employment numbers indicate the economy is not slowing nearly as quickly as data suggested earlier this year, which is promising news for contractors,&r ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Greater Tennessee Craft Training Program graduates 54

Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Tennessee Craft Training program graduates 54 NASHVILLE, TENN., June 10, 2019 – The Associated Builders and Contractors of Tennessee (ABC-Greater Tennessee) is pleased to announce that its Craft Training Program has successfully graduated 54 students for the 2018-2019 school year. “Thursday was one of the most important events that we at ABC- Greater Tennessee hold each year,” said ABC- Greater Tennessee President/CEO Clay Crownover. “It’s important because it highlights the accomplishments of our school and our students and the extra effort they have made to furthering themselves and our industry.” ABC- Greater Tennessee is a leader in continuing education for the construction industry, as well as apprenticeship and craft training for merit shop contractors in the state. ABC- Greater Tennessee delivers programs that equip craft professionals with the knowledge and the skills they need to improve their productivity and sa ... Read the rest of entry »

Tennessee construction unemployment hits record mark for January 2019

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Estimated January not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rates dropped in 48 states -- including Tennessee -- on a year-over-year basis, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. As the January 2019 national NSA construction unemployment rate fell 0.9 percent from a year ago to 6.4 percent, the construction industry employed 343,000 more workers nationally compared to January 2018, according to BLS numbers. In Tennessee, the NSA construction unemployment rate for January was 4.8 percent, a decrease of 1.6 percent from January 2018’s rate of 6.4 percent. Tennessee's 4.8 percent 3.7 percent lower than the 8.7 percent mark in January 2017 and the lowest state rate on record for January. Tennessee also compares favorably to neighboring states, such as Alabama (5.8), Georgia (6.0), Kentucky (10.1), Mississippi (9.6), South Carolina (4.7) and North Carolina (5.4).  The lowest state rate i ... Read the rest of entry »

Associated Builders and Contractors Greater Tennessee Chapter Announces New President/CEO

NASHVILLE, TENN., Dec. 17th. – The Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee (ABC-Greater Tennessee) is pleased to announce Clayton Crownover, current East Tennessee Regional Director, as its new President and CEO effective January 7th, 2018. Mr. Crownover has served as East Tennessee Regional Director for the Chapter since July 2016. Mr. Crownover will split time between Middle and East Tennessee offices to strengthen the organization across all regions of the state.  “Clayton (Clay) joined the Greater Tennessee Chapter in July of 2016 as the East Tennessee Regional Director.  Under his leadership, that region has excelled in many areas and we are thrilled that he has accepted this new challenge,” said John Stallworth, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Clay will continue to develop and lead a vibrant staff and looks forward to being a pillar of strength to all of the committees of the chapter.” Mr. Crownover has extensive knowledge in non-profit ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Calls for Expanding Apprenticeship Opportunities in Congressional Testimony

On behalf of Associated Builders and Contractors, Mike Holland, chief operating officer, MAREK Companies, testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions about the need to modernize and expand apprenticeship opportunities in the United States. Read the press release...

Persuader Rule rescinded

In 2014, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) began a campaign to hold McDonald’s USA, LLC liable for alleged unfair labor practices committed at restaurant locations owned by McDonald’s franchisees. The NLRB took the position that corporate McDonald’s controlled employment relations at franchise locations enough to qualify as a joint employer with the franchisee. Read our Press Release...

Rio Grande Fence Co. Invites Requests from ABC Members for Annual Good Friday Service Project

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Jan. 25, 2018--Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville is inviting requests and ideas from ABC members to aid a local non-profit in greater Nashville for RGF’s annual Good Friday Service Project.  Each year, Rio Grande Fence Co. selects a local project and provides all materials and installation of a new, commercial grade fence at no cost to a deserving organization.  If old, deteriorated fence needs to be torn out, RGF will include the removal as well.  For 2018, Rio Grande Fence Co. is again inviting requests from fellow ABC members for the selection process.             Preliminary site work can begin as soon as Monday, March 26th and 100% of Rio Grande Fence Co.’s employees will be on site to complete the installation on Friday, March 30th. Ideal projects could include any facility or location needing a perimeter security and peace of mind upgrade installed by The Commercial Fence Professionals™.&n ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC in Knoxville serves on panel to delay Health Insurance Tax

Crownover (ABC- Greater Tennessee, Knoxville) participates in Knoxville Chamber Roundtable Knoxville, TN (August 30, 2017) – Local business leaders met Wednesday at the Knoxville Chamber to discuss how the health insurance tax, or HIT, will impact Tennessee small businesses in 2018 if it is not delayed immediately by Congress. Business leaders called on the state’s senators and representatives in Congress to lower premiums and provide financial relief to the state by ensuring that the HIT does not go into effect in 2018.  “Time is of the essence to delay this tax again,” said Terry Turner, President of the Knoxville Chamber and small business owner of All Occasions Party Rental. “We are all making insurance decisions in the next few weeks for next year and we need certainty from the federal government.” The discussion occurred one week ahead of hearings scheduled by Tennessee’s Senator Lamar Alexander on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education ... Read the rest of entry »