Larry Lopez, general manager with WorkBridge, LLC, is the 2023 Chair of the Board for ABC Greater Baltimore. Larry has been active in ABC locally and nationally now for ten years. His national participation led him to become Chair of ABC National’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for several years. “Here …
PLA Executive Order Is Bad Public Policy
Last month, President Joe Biden signed an executive order requiring project labor agreements on federal construction projects over $35 million. The White House claimed that the order will help ease management concerns and organization on large construction projects. ABC sent a letter to the White House highlighting concerns with President Biden’s efforts …
Trade School Interest Levels Soar as 40 Local High School Guidance Counselors join Zoom Meeting to Learn More
Sharon Burley, ABC Greater Baltimore’s Programs Outreach Coordinator, sat down via Zoom last month with over 40 local high school guidance counselors to discuss college alternatives for students post-graduation. Sharon was able to talk about our Construction Education Academy trade school and apprenticeship opportunities. Immediately after the call, Sharon received …
ABC Joins the Construction Coalition opposing President Biden’s Executive Order 14063, which requires PLAs on federal construction contracts exceeding $35 million
On February 15th, Associated Builders and Contractors and 15 associations and organizations representing tens of thousands of companies and millions of employees in the construction industry sent a letter to the White House highlighting concerns with President Joe Biden’s efforts to require controversial government-mandated project labor agreements on federal and federally assisted …
2024 ABC Membership By The Numbers
Take a look at our snapshot of all that ABC has been up to over the past year! Every number, every $ saved, represents our collective efforts to protect your interests, give you a competitive edge, and connect you to more opportunity!
2024 Excellence in Construction Award Winners
Diamond Winners: Project Name: 40TENCompany Name: Chesapeake Contracting Group, Inc. Project Name: 7001 Columbia Gateway Drive Lobby & Amenity CenterCompany Name: CK Commercial Project Name: Baltimore County Circuit Court Jury Assembly RenovationCompany Name: North Point Builders of Maryland, LLC Project Name: Bender JCC Greater Washington Multi-Use Pavilion & RestroomsCompany Name: …
ABC and AIA Aim an Eye to the Future
In late May, ABC and AIA met for roundtable discussions of critical issues, business strategies, and partnership building. The event is part of the ABC/AIA Roundtable the two organizations established more than ten years ago. “Programs like this give the two professionals the opportunities to sit back and take a cool, …
ABC: Nonresidential Construction Spending Slips in April but Remains Near Record High
“Nonresidential construction spending fell for the second consecutive month in April, but remains just 0.3% below the all-time high established in February,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. While spending was down on a monthly basis in 10 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories, an unprecedented increase in manufacturing construction spending …
Rebuilding Key Bridge Should Not Be a Union-Only Project (READER COMMENTARY)
This is a reproduction of an article in the Saturday April 20th edition of The Baltimore Sun that can be found HERE: I read Kelvin Jordan’s recent commentary (‘Rebuild the Key Bridge with local unionlabor,” April 8) with a mix of interest and unease. The Francis Scott Key Bridge tragedy of …
Federal Loans Available for Businesses Impacted by Bridge Tragedy
Nearly 5,000 trucks crossed the Francis Scott Key Bridge daily, according to the American Trucking Association. That adds up to $28 billion in goods crossing annually. The collapse has effectively shut down the Port of Baltimore, which is one of the busiest in the U.S. Last year, the port handled …
Welcome ABC’s Newest Members!
Albright’s Mechanical Services (410) 391-4737 www.albrightmechanical.com C.J. Miller LLC (410) 239-8006 www.cjmillerllc.com CPE, Inc. (410) 799-1212 www.getcpe.com D.W. Kozera, Inc. (410) 823-1060 www.dwkozera.com Henry Adams, LLC (410) 296-6500 www.henryadams.com JTJ Electric (443) 904-7365 www.jtlelectric.com Lou Electrical Contracting LLC (301) 367-7491 www.louelectricalmd.com Oakmont Contracting (443) 273-1616 www.oakmontcontracting.com PeopleReady Skilled Trades (571) …
ABC Contends with Bills on Cannabis, Union-Only, and Force Majeure
An ABC Maryland Legislative UpdateEach Monday from January through the end of the Legislative session in mid-April, ABC’s legislative team, comprised of our lobbyists, members, and staff review, deliberate, and strategize on how to best advance and protect the interests of our members. The following are bills under consideration by …
DenverSiteWorks Announces Strategic Acquisition
Denver Companies, LLC (DenverSiteWorks) has acquired Maryland Portable Restrooms, Inc. (MPRI) and will be transitioning customers to DenverSiteWorks as of March 1, 2024. This strategic acquisition accelerates Denver’s growth by bringing into the fold, the 40 year history and experience of Maryland Portable Restrooms. With the addition, Denver, who has …
PLAs = Less School for the Money
PG Co School Super Said New PLA Dictate Could Bring Halt to Construction Program In the wake of executive orders from President Biden and, more recently, Maryland Governor Moore, the Prince Georges County Council has become a chief proponent for union-only Project Labor Agreements. But not surprisingly, the resulting increased …
2024 Recession? Not so fast!
Interesting insights for 2023 and 2024 were presented by Anirban Basu, chief economist for ABC, in the recent “2024 Economic Update and Forecast” webinar. Newsworthy items included construction growth in a majority of sectors, as well as improvement with supply-chain issues. Despite a declining backlog, residential building enjoyed a …
Gov. Moore Signs Pro-PLA Executive Order
EO bars Maryland workers from majority of taxpayer-funded construction projects On November 17, Governor Moore issued an executive order that requires the consideration of union-only-project labor agreements (PLAs) on construction contracts where the state’s financial commitment is $20 million or greater. The net result of this action will severely hinder more than 90% …
Annual Craft Competition Wraps Up
This past Thursday (Nov. 16th), 25 plumbers, electricians, sheet metal, and HVACR mechanics who battled it out to determine the best apprentice in their chosen craft. Congratulations to the following winners of the 2023 ABC Greater Baltimore Craft Competition: HVAC – Shawn O’Neill of KTC Heating and Air Conditioning Plumbing …
Students Fall in for the Fall session of ABC’s Trade School
In October, ABC’s ‘Construction Education Academy’ (CEA) is once again providing students with basic knowledge about the trades and entry-level, hands-on experience. The CEA is a trade school for post-high school students. ABC developed this school to create more of a pipeline for qualified entrants to careers in the skilled …
Money Back to Members?! It’s True.
ABC Baltimore could cover your 1st year tuition… We are taking advantage of a Maryland Department of Labor program that reimburses employers for the tuition of newly registered apprentice students. In striving to serve ABC members, Chris Hadfield, Vice President-Workforce Development, has spent many hours perusing the Maryland Department of Labor …
The 2023 Excellence in Construction Awards Program
ABC Greater Baltimore’s Excellence in Construction Awards went LIVE at the Live! Casino and Hotel Maryland in mid-October. Over 325 guests attended the 2023 EIC Awards Program where general and specialty member contractors received well-deserved recognition for their innovative, creative projects. The highlights of the evening were the Project of …
The Inflation Reduction Act Survey – we need your opinion!
In August, the U.S. Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service issued a proposed rule regarding the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. This legislation is strongly opposed by ABC, and we’re launching a survey to get your opinion. The proposed Inflation Reduction Act provides over $270 billion in tax …
A Launch Pad for Leaders
The ABC Young Leaders Professional Development Program is set to take off in 2024. This six-month program has been created to take young trade professionals to the next level of their careers by way of a series of seminars, personal assessments, and elite executive training. Perhaps the most valuable aspect …
Meet the Primes, September 21, 2023
On September 21st, ABC Greater Baltimore held an event that many in the industry have nicknamed “Speed Networking.” “Meet the Primes” featured five participating General Contractors who arrived to meet and greet over forty qualified subcontractors to discuss the possibility of future collaboration. Chesapeake Contracting Group, CK Commercial, Cross Street …
School is Back in Session
Recently, ABC’s Construction Education Academy kicked off the 2023-2024 Apprenticeship school year with Orientation Week. Over the course of the week, nearly 500 trade apprentices were warmly welcomed by the instructors and staff, who previewed what the students can expect in their classes and encouraged them on their way to …