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 …
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: Bender JCC Greater Washington Multi-Use Pavilion & RestroomsCompany Name: A.R. Marani, Inc. Project Name: Chevy Chase LakeCompany Name: Bozzuto Construction Company Project Name: Cross Country …
Maryland’s New Corporate Diversity Guidelines: What Contractors Need to Know
In the aftermath of the death of George Floyd, Speaker Adrienne Jones (D – Baltimore County) crafted an ambitious legislative plan as the “Black Agenda,” aimed at closing the race gap in areas such as homeownership, health, and wealth. As part of her agenda, she introduced House Bill 1210 (HB …
Workplace Fraud Act Checklist (for GCs & Subcontractors)
ABC developed the following checklist for contractors (generals and subcontractors) who subcontract out work to ensure they are in compliance with Maryland’s Workplace Fraud Act (which was passed in 2009). O The Maryland Workplace Fraud Act requires that employers in the construction and landscaping industries give an individual — classified …
Packed House Celebrates 2023 Grads
Last Thursday, more than 400 family members, friends, and employers were on hand to cheer on graduates at Morgan State University, as part of ABC’s Annual Apprenticeship Graduation. O Over 100 electricians, plumbers, sheet metal, carpenters, pipefitters, and HVACR mechanics were part of ABCGB’s Class of 2023! Click here to …
ABC 2023 Maryland General Assembly Report to Membership
For ABC’s 1500+ member firms, the 2023 Maryland General Assembly was a particularly challenging one as legislators wrestled with the practical implications of legalized cannabis, flirted with criminalizing prevailing wage violations, and imposed union-labor requirements on offshore-wind-energy projects. In a session that saw the introduction of nearly 2500 bills, ABC’s …
Does Your Safety Director Know about Our Safety Peer Group?
Our active Safety Professional Peer Group is made up of 30+ of the region’s most experienced safety professionals and those newer to the safety profession. During their monthly, 90-minute meetings, the group shares best practices, reviews new federal & local state regulations, and explores how they can more greatly impact the industry to …
Meet our New Chair & 2023 Board Members!
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 …
Cannabis: Way Forward is as Clear as Mud
When Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana, for employers, it raised a lot more questions than answers. i Cannabis will be fully legalized this July. Given that cannabis is traceable in your system for as much as 30 days, it becomes much more a matter …
ABC Baltimore 2022 Craft Competition Winners
The countdown to ABC’s National Craft Championships has begun, with five local apprentices emerging victorious in last month’s Greater Baltimore Craft Competition. The event was held on October 13th at our Construction Education Academy. A hearty congratulations to the following winners who will go on to represent ABC Greater Baltimore …