WBAL NewsRadio host Clarence Mitchell IV, better known as C4, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for ABC’s upcoming Build Baltimore Gala on February 22. Features. Last week, C4 did a promo on his program. Listen to what he had to say HERE! Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available! …
Small Business Circle News
Here is the ABC Baltimore Small Business Circle monthly newsletter. Please let Verna know if you have any questions, comments, or are interested in joining the group. Davis Bacon Act Report- In 2019 the Department of Labor released a report that identifies prevailing wage concerns Federally contracted work that falls …
Good, But Troubling News on P3 Initiative to Add to I-495
ABC leaders are in discussion with Hogan Administration officials and legislative leaders over an announcement that a union-only labor pact could be part of an $11 billion expansion of the Capital Beltway. “We’re glad they are moving forward with the project; it’s long overdue. But we can’t help but be …
Apply for the 2020 Women of ABC Scholarship
The 2020 Women of ABC Scholarship is now available. Women of ABC, a committee of members of Associated Builders and Contractors Baltimore has a $2,000 scholarship available for a female high school, trade school or college student planning to pursue construction related fields of study in post-high school education. The …
Wohlsen Welcomes New Superintendent
Wohlsen Construction Company recently welcomed Travis Heath as a new superintendent to its Maryland/Northern Virginia team. Heath has more than 26 years of experience in the construction industry, having worked on many multi-million-dollar projects throughout the Washington DC and northern Virginia areas. His experience spans a variety of markets including …
Maryland Starts 2020 on a Jobs High Note
“One of the biggest economic turnarounds in America.” That’s what Governor Larry Hogan called the U.S. Department of Labor’s November jobs data for Maryland, according to WJZ-Baltimore. From August to November 2019, Maryland gained 32,000 jobs, marking the biggest stretch of employment growth since 2010. The state’s unemployment rate also …
ABC’s New ‘Smart Return Account’ Can Keep You in Compliance with New State Regs
If you’ve bid on a state project lately, you’ve either received, or should be receiving, an affidavit to sign regarding employee health insurance. What’s all this about an affidavit? In July 1, 2019 Senate Bill 433 “Payment of Employee Healthcare Expenses,” took effect. It requires any contractor, and any and …
Welcome to the New Chair of ABC Baltimore: Mark McDaniel
On January 1, Mark McDaniel will take the chair’s seat on the board of ABC Baltimore. McDaniel comes to the board leadership role with more than three decades in the construction industry. He began working for NLP, the family’s commercial painting business, as a project engineer in 1988. The company …
ABC’s Construction Education Academy Groundbreaking
ABC Greater Baltimore’s groundbreaking ceremony for our Construction Education Academy will be held Monday, January 13th at 10 am. We will be moving into our new facility in Spring of 2020 and we could not be more excited to share this journey with everyone. Our work with Project Jumpstart and …
Meet Project JumpStart’s New Director: Jimmy Stewart
(Kate McShane is seen here last night at a ‘Farewell’ party given in her honor. Her successor, Jimmy Stewart, was introduced as well. He is seen here (left).) Jimmy Stewart is the Project JumpStart has a new director. He took the reins in October, Kate McShane, JumpStart’s longtime director, retired …
Montgomery County Schools Get $1.82 Billion Construction Plan
Montgomery County schools Superintendent Jack Smith recently released a five-year school construction and infrastructure improvement plan totaling $1.82 billion. The long-range plan includes nine new projects. The school board previously approved the school district’s capital improvements program (CIP) for fiscal years 2021-2026 but can adjust the plan each year. According …
2019 STEP Award Winners
STEP is a world-class safety management system that dramatically improves safety performance among participants regardless of company size or type of work. Congratulations to the ABC Baltimore members receiving their 2019 STEP Awards. The winners will be honored at ABC’s State of the Industry and Annual Meeting on November 7th. …
Kristen Schrader Joins Harkins Builders
Kristen Schrader has joined Harkins as business development manager of the commercial group. After starting her career as a receptionist at a civil engineering firm, Schrader’s initiative made her quickly stand out. Over time, Schrader’s colleagues and mentors recognized her customer service and business development skills. Prior to joining Harkins, …
New Program to Help Members Meet Healthcare Mandate on State Work
Effective July 1, 2019 the State of Maryland adopted new legislation requiring contractors performing work on State of Maryland contracts to provide health insurance to all employees on the jobsite. In addition, the employer must certify they are contributing at a minimum 50% of the employee premium or contribute …
Craft Competition Winners Announced
The countdown to ABC’s National Craft Championships has begun, with three local apprentices emerging victorious in last week’s Greater Baltimore Craft Competition. The event, held on October 3 at Timonium Fairgrounds, had four participants in each of three categories. A hearty congratulations to the following winners who will go on …
Take a STAND Against Suicide
The construction industry has the highest rate of suicide, as well as the highest number of suicides across all industries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2016, the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention was founded to promote mental health wellness. In September, CIASP launched a …
Of Collaboration, Deliberation & Axe Throwing
ABC/AIA panel meet to discuss ‘Navigating Budgets & Owner Expectations’ The always interesting dynamic between architects and contractors must be improving, at least in the Baltimore region. How else would you explain having a panel discussion between AIA and ABC members followed by axe throwing? The trust level must be …
Working Group Considers Overhaul of School Construction Funding
Maryland legislators are considering a new, complicated formula to restructure the way school construction money is allocated in the hopes of targeting systems with the most need. The draft formula, which would replace the current system that distributes state aid proportionally to all of the state’s 24 subdivisions, had trouble …
What You Need to Know About Where the Economy is Headed
Despite some great economic indicators, such as low inflation and historically low unemployment, there’s been a lot of buzz lately that the U.S. economy may be headed into a recession. During a recent meeting of the General Contractor Executive Roundtable, ABC’s long-time economist, Anirban Basu, offered advice on preparing for …
Fraud Protection: How Safe is Your Company?
The ABC Small Business Circle is hosting a special seminar on Wednesday, September 11 here at our offices in Towson. This is a free seminar to our contractor members. Our speaker is Allen Schiff, CPA, CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner). If you would like to attend, you can email our Small …