Last summer, ABC Baltimore teamed up with Baltimore County Public Schools and Community College of Baltimore County and conducted a pilot program for a group of rising seniors called the Construction Tech Academy. ABC’s goal was to increase the vocational training available in public schools. The program ran so well …
Maryland Laws Going into Effect July 1
Minimum Wage Maryland’s minimum wage will increase from $8.25 to $8.75. It’s the latest rise scheduled to take effect since lawmakers in 2014 approved incremental increases over several years from $7.25. Next year, it’s scheduled to rise to $9.25 and by July 2018 reach $10.10. Gas Tax Maryland’s gas tax …
Unprecedented Wave of Anti-Business Regulations
As President Obama’s second term nears its end, he is using executive actions to issue regulations through government agencies that could disproportionately hurt small businesses around the country. The construction industry is particularly vulnerable, given the nature of the industry with multiple employers on jobsites and the myriad of employer …
Board of Directors ‘Spotlight:’ Anita Sheckells
Company: KatzAbosch Job Description: Director and Vice President of the firm’s Board of Directors How did you get involved with ABC? As an accountant specializing in the construction industry, I joined ABC to meet people in the industry, as well as learn more about the industry. I initially joined the …
DOL’s Overtime Rule: Too Fast too Soon
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently updated its overtime regulations for white collar workers under the Fair Labors and Standards Act. The updates include increasing the salary threshold under which salaried workers are entitled to overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a week. That threshold …
Board Member Spotlight: Larry Lopez
Company: Green JobWorks LLC Job Description: President How you got involved with ABC: I attended many networking events when I started Green JobWorks. I noticed that ABC events were better suited for companies in the construction industry. I really enjoyed their events and eventually took other events off my calendar …
Board Member Spotlight: Rohit H. Patel
Company: Intelect Corporation Job Description: President and CEO How you got involved with ABC: As a member, I thought ABC was a great contractor trade organization. Intelect Corporation attended networking events, signed up for many of the skill training classes, and took advantage of discounts and benefits packages offered. I …
Project JumpStart Acts as Catalyst for Change in Cincinnati
ABC Baltimore’s Project JumpStart video with Mike Rowe, was the catalyst for necessary changes and growth in Cincinnati, Ohio. Two years ago, the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency and Ohio Valley Construction Foundation conducted a pilot project to determine if a career readiness program with a focus on the commercial/industrial …
How OSHA’s New Silica Provisions Will Effect Contractors
New regulations governing silica will result in contractors creating written exposure plans, providing employees with silica risk training, and offering medical exams to exposed workers. OSHA recently made its first revisions regarding crystalline silica rules in over 40 years. According to OSHA, crystalline silica is composed of soil, sand, granite, …
Hensel Phelps Creates Unique Opportunity for JumpStart Grads to Connect to Employers
This past month, six graduates of Project JumpStart were given a unique opportunity, as part of the “Hensel Phelps Meet and Greet Day,” to go on a job-site tour, have a group lunch, and participate in a “speed dating” style interview process. Hensel Phelps, who is the general contractor on …
MCN Build/Southway Builders and Mechanical Engineering & Construction Capture ‘Projects of the Year’
On Thursday night at the Excellence in Construction and Safety Awards, MCN Build/Southway Builders and Mechanical Engineering & Construction Corporation captured Projects of the Year honors for General Contractor and Subcontractor, respectively. MCN Build/Southway Builders won for their work on the Green Street Academy. Mechanical Engineering & Construction was honored …
May Network to Focus on Port Covington
On Wednesday, May 18th ABC Baltimore is pleased to announce it will host an exclusive member briefing on the upcoming redevelopment of Port Covington by Sagamore Development Company. This briefing will be part of our May Network at Night and will be held at the former bus garage in Port …
Nothing ‘Minimum’ About this Wage Hike
Legislation was introduced last week that would increase Baltimore City’s minimum wage by an astounding 81 percent over the next four years. “All we have heard from our elected officials and community leaders the past year ¬â€œ and rightly so ¬â€ is how badly we need to address high unemployment …
Long-time Industry Leader Passes
Calvin Coblentz Led AGC and Asphalt Association Cal Coblentz, a well-known and respected construction executive, who finished his career in 2005 as the Executive Director for AGC Maryland, died peacefully, this past Saturday. Friends may call at Peaceful Alternatives; 2325 York Road; Timonium MD 21093 on Thursday, April 14, from …
The Revitalization of Baltimore
Putting the “Charm” back into Charm City Last week, the General Assembly passed a series of bills designed to help improve lives in low-income areas of the state. HB 686 and SB 559 are two larger bills, supported by Baltimore City legislators. Del. Peter Hammen, D-Baltimore City, and Sen. Bill …
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
The WABC (Women of ABC) Committee is collecting professional women’s clothing for their annual Women’s Empowerment Day to be held at My Sister’s Place Women’s Center. Click on this flyer for drop-off locations and information.
ABC Mourns the Passing of Albert Marani, Founder, A.R. Marani, Inc.
Albert R. Marani, who nearly 25 years ago launched one of the most enduring commercial contracting companies in the area, passed away suddenly, March 2. A graduate of Baltimore Polytechnical Institute, Mr. Marani went on to study engineering at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Before joining Lawrence Construction Company, Mr. Marani …
Inaugural ‘Build Baltimore Gala’
Nets $40k
Proceeds to help create ‘Kick-Start’ program for younger participants Mike Rowe and his team did a whole lot more for Project JumpStart than “just” serve as our keynote speaker at the Build Baltimore Gala. He also donated his time and talents and that of his film crew to create for …
ABC Member Firms Honored Nationally
Last week, two ABC Baltimore member firms were awarded National Diversity Excellence Awards for their commitment to “making diversity a business priority.” Among those honored were Hensel Phelps, and Mechanical Engineering and Construction Corporation. The awards were given as part of ABC National’s 26th Annual Excellence in Construction Awards, held …