News

State of Tennessee seeks input on procurement process

The State of Tennessee has contracted with Arizona State University to assist in “redesigning” the state's procurement process for contractors in the State (not including Higher Ed or TDOT). 

They have created a survey that the state would like to compile responses for to assist them in their actions moving forward.  You can fill the survey out at this link.

ABC Releases the 2016 ABC Employee Benefits Survey

The 2016 ABC Employee Benefits Survey is now open and will remain open until October 15th. This survey looks at benefit practices of ABC member contractors and helps you benchmark your current benefits offerings against your peers. The results are tabulated in the aggregate, as well as by region and company size. If you are not already familiar with this survey and how it can help your company, you can see the 2014 survey results here. Some members use the survey to make or reinforce benefits decisions. It can also be a useful tool for companies offering strong benefits to demonstrate to their employeesthat their benefits are above market. If there are at least 25 members that participate in our state, we will also be able to share state specific results.  The survey is multiple choice and should take 5 minutes or less to complete if you have familiarity with your company’s benefits. Please consider participating, or forwarding this along to the person in your company that handles ... Read the rest of entry »

Stop the Obama Administration's "Stealth Death Tax Increase"

The IRS has set its sights on family businesses.The Obama Treasury Department last month issued proposed regulations that would upend the way family-owned companies are valued, disregarding decades of precedent and exposing family business owners to a death tax hike of 30 percent or more.Make your voice heard. Tell Treasury to withdraw the proposed regulations by clicking the link below.

Please click here and add your company name by Monday, September 26th, and stop the latest assault on family-owned businesses.

Knox Couny Mayor Tim Burchett speaks to Members in Knoxville

On Thursday, September 15th, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett laid out the political landscape to the ABC Greater TN membership in Knoxville. The event was held at Cherokee Country Club. She the photo gallery on our Facebook page. 

 

2016 General Contractor’s Showcase Postponed

Due to issues with the event location, the 2016 Contractor’s Showcase will be postponed to a later date and new location.  The Contractor’s Showcase has become one of our most popular annual events, with some 600 attendees, and we want to host the best event possible. Unfortunately, the management at the event location made it too difficult for our team to host a great event and other possible locations did not materialize on such short notice. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that this may cause you and your company.  We do thank the many sponsors, exhibitors, companies and individuals that have agreed to participate and hope that a date and location change will not deter your involvement with the 2016 Contractor’s Showcase. A new location and date for the event will be broadcast within the next two weeks.  Thank you for your understanding, and please accept our apologies for the inconvenience! We do hope to see you at the showcase later in the year! ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Pelican Chapter Flood Update

The devastation in Louisiana has affected so many. Those who wish to support relief efforts during this difficult time can do so by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund via ABC’s donation page and/or by donating to the Flood Relief & ABC Pelican Staff Fund set up by neighboring ABC New Orleans/Bayou Chapter.In the coming days the ABC Pelican Chapter will set up a relief fund that will accept direct donation. For updates, visit the ABC Pelican Chapter Flood Update webpage.

Construction Executive Magazine: What Type of Leadership Is Needed to Sustain a Family-Owned Business Through Economic Changes and Generational Differences?

ABC Greater Tennessee Chapter's Board Chair and President of Stansell Electric Company, David Stansell, recently participated in a Q&A with Construction Executive Magazine. Check it out at the link below. You can check out the full piece here or read David's answer below: My grandfather founded Stansell Electric Company 76 years ago in his garage in Nashville. Soon after the business really got going, he needed extra help, so he invited his two brothers to join the company and gave each of them one-third ownership in the business. This created second-generation problems right away. They had different styles and ideas about how things should be done—just like we do today—but they found a way to make it work.  A big part of what made them successful, and remains a key part of our success today, was a strong sense of shared values. My dad grew the business significantly, especially into some key, niche areas. My brother Jake and I decided it was time to actually write ... Read the rest of entry »

Associated Builders and Contractors: 'Blacklisting' Final Rule Hurts Contractors, Employees and Taxpayers

Contact: Donna Reichle (202) 595-1782              [email protected]                                                                For Immediate Release  Associated Builders and Contractors: 'Blacklisting' Final Rule Hurts Contractors, Employees and Taxpayers  WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 24 — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) slammed the flawed Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces final rule, commonly referred to as “blacklisting,” released today by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council. The rule, which was accompanied by a guidance document from the U.S. Department of Labor and a White House amendment to Executive Order 13673, will increase costs for taxpayers, threaten the livelihood of millions of Americans who work for responsi ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC of Greater Tennessee to Sponsor Breakfast at UTK Construction Science Career Fair on Sept. 29th

Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Tennessee is slated to sponsor the breakfast proceeding the 4th Annual University of Tennessee's Construction Science Career Fair on September 29th. ABC of Greater Tennessee is proud to be a partner with this program and encourage everyone to attend. 

To register, visit www.myinterfase.com/utkcareer/employer to active or create an account. Once you have logged into the system, click on Career Events, under category, choose Career Fair, and click Search. From the list of fairs, click on the 2016 CASNR Construction Science Fair and click the "Register Now" button to register for the fair. When prompted to choose your area of interest select the Environment Soils Science (ESS) area. 

Link to Register

ABC Member Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville Crew Members Compete in Inaugural Fence Skills Championship

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Aug.17, 2016--Rio Grande Fence Co. of  Nashville crew members competed in the Company’s inaugural Fence Skills Championship on Saturday, Aug. 13 at their facility. The competition determined individual winners and overall gold, silver, and bronze medalists in eight critical commercial fencing skills. “In the spirit of this summer’s Olympics, we were inspired to create an annual skills competition at Rio Grande Fence Co. of Nashville to showcase our crew members’ professional fencing skills,” said Derek M. Smith, Vice President of Operations. “After seeing the enthusiasm and competitive camaraderie among our crew members throughout the event, we hope one day to galvanize interest and support for a National Fence Skills Championship at FENCETECH.”  The eight commercial fencing skills judged were Post Hole Digging, Concrete Mixing, Weaving Chain Link Wire, Chain Link Fabric Installation, Graduating Chain Link Wire, Gate Fabric ... Read the rest of entry »

ABC Greater Tennessee Announces General Contractors Showcase

 The ABC Greater Tennessee Chapter is excited to host Meet The GC’s, a showcase designed to feature General Contractors from Middle and East Tennessee. Don’t miss the opportunity to have your name and company front and center! 

2016 GC Showcase September 15 th , 2016 
Location: 400 Davidson St. Nashville, TN 
When: 4:30-7:30

ABC Members: $30 & 2 business cards
Non Members: $50 & 2 business cards 

Questions? Email Michelle at [email protected].

Register Today!

Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett to be Featured Speaker at Member Meeting

Event is a Member's Only Event

What:ABC Member Meeting
When:9/15/2016 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Where:Cherokee Country Club

Register Now

Member News: JOSEPH CONSTRUCTION BUILDS TEAM

Knoxville, TN, August 3, 2016– Joseph Construction is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its team. Greg Brakebill comes to Joseph as Senior Estimator. With over 38 years of professional experience, the last 20 of those in construction, Greg’s knowledge and ability to lead put him among the region’s most respected estimators. Joshua Buchanan comes to Joseph to drive Marketing and Business Development, coming from a sales and public policy background. Joshua adds a fresh approach to growth strategies at Joseph Construction, bringing strong community relationships and a big picture perspective. It means the world to me to have Greg and Josh join our team. I’m confident that having these guys on board will help us serve our clients better and have a greater impact in our region. – Gerry Eastman, CEO  Since 1972, JOSEPH Construction Company, Inc. has been fortunate to provide general contracting, construction management, and design-build services to E ... Read the rest of entry »

Coffee with Contractors a Success w/ Rep. Diane Black

ABC of Greater Tennessee's Coffee with Contractors was a great success this month. Rep. Diane Black joined us for good conversation and a review of the political landscape in Tennessee. 

Haslam, Construction Industry Leaders Announce Launch Of "Go Build" Initiative

A year after he signed the enabling legislation into law, Gov. Bill Haslam joined construction industry leaders Wednesday in launching a marketing campaign called “Go Build Tennessee” to encourage high school students to consider careers in the building trades.Tennessee is the third state with a similar program, following Alabama, where it began in 2010, and Georgia, in 2012. It uses an array of media, public relations and outreach efforts targeting students as early as junior high to consider careers as boilermakers, carpenters, electricians, electric linemen, equipment operators, iron workers, masons, plumbers and pipe fitters, road builders, sheet metal workers, welders and other trades.Haslam said that for every five skilled tradesmen about to retire, only one new worker is in the, education, training and apprenticeship pipeline to replace them. And he said the construction industry is expected to grow 22 percent over the next decade.“For anybody who’s seen the growth happening in ... Read the rest of entry »

Home construction booms despite need for more workers