Hurricane Impact Comes into View as 41 States See September Construction Unemployment Rate Improvement

WASHINGTON, Oct. 31—The not seasonally adjusted (NSA) national construction unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in September, down 0.5 percent from a year ago and the second lowest September rate on record behind the 4.6 percent rate in September 2000, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. Construction unemployment rates were also down in 41 states on a year-over-year basis while rates rose in nine states, according to an analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). Further, the construction industry employed 173,000 more workers than in September 2016.
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ABC Announces 2017 Young Professional of the Year Finalists

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced three finalists for its annual Young Professional of the Year Award. This year’s list includes a technology-driven electrician, a business owner who builds dreams and saves lives and an attorney who fights for equality in construction.
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Construction Industry Benefits From Consecutive Quarterly GDP Gains, Says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27—The U.S. economy expanded at an annual rate of 3 percent during the third quarter of 2017, according to Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of gross domestic product (GDP) data released today by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. “Construction firms are among the major beneficiaries of the most recent GDP report, which confirms that the U.S. economy enjoys a level of momentum not observed for several years,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
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ABC Releases Statement on Critical House Vote in Tax Reform Process

“We applaud House members for adopting the FY 2018 budget resolution that positions Congress to move forward with comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform without the threat of a filibuster
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ABC Celebrates Careers in Construction Month 2017

The construction industry has a message for career-seekers this October: the demand for construction workers is high, and firms are looking to hire. Despite an investment of more than $1 billion a year by its members to train the next generation of construction workers, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) says the industry currently has 500,000 unfilled jobs, and that number could more than double if Congress and the White House agree on a promised $1 trillion infrastructure bill. ABC member firms are highlighting the worker shortfall and abundant opportunities for aspiring industry professionals during Careers in Construction Month.
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ABC Urges House to Act Quickly After Senate Passes Budget, Preserving Path for Tax Reform

Michael D. Bellaman, president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), today issued the following statement on the passage of a budget by the U.S. Senate:
 “This important step by the Senate keeps the process on track to produce once-in-a-generation tax reform...
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ABC Announces Promotion of Téa Gennaro to Chief Financial Officer

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced the promotion of Téa Gennaro to Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She will be responsible for managing and directing the accounting, finance and facilities functions at ABC and its affiliated organizations—the ABC Political Action Committee, ABC Retirement and Savings Plan, Construction Legal Rights Foundation, Trimmer Construction Education Foundation and ABC Services Corp.
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ABC CEO Mike Bellaman Appointed to Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion for all Americans

Michael D. Bellaman, president and CEO of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), has been appointed by U.S. Department of Labor Secretary R. Alexander Acosta  to the Task Force on Apprenticeship Expansion, created by President Trump’s June 15 Executive Order 13801.

“I am excited to join Secretary Acosta’s task force to expand opportunities to citizens nationwide who want to live the American Dream while helping to build and rebuild our country,” said Bellaman. “As the president promised in his election night acceptance speech, every single American will have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential under his administration. That sentiment will drive this task force as we work to promote affordable education and rewarding jobs for all Americans.”
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Construction Input Growth Accelerates in September, says ABC

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12—Construction input prices rose yet again in September, according to an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Non-residential construction input prices rose 0.8 percent in September and 4.3 percent compared to this time last year. 
Overall, construction materials prices rose 0.8 percent over the previous month and 4.5 percent on a year-over-year basis, about three times as fast as overall U.S. inflation. 

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ABC Applauds Executive Order to Expand Association Health Plans

WASHINGTON, Oct.12--Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today released the following statement from Kristen Swearingen, vice president of legislative & political affairs, following President Trump’s signing of an executive order to expand access to Association Health Plans (AHPs):
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