Standard Constructors Inc. of Houston, a member of ABC’s Greater Houston Chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations.

Overall construction input prices declined 0.1 percent in December, yet despite the lack of inflation for the month, prices are up 5 percent on a year-over-year basis, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of  Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today.  Nonresidential construction materials prices also declined 0.1 percent for the month and are up 4.8 percent from the same time one year ago. 

George R. Nash Jr., director of preconstruction for Branch & Associates in Herndon, Va., began his one-year term as chair of ABC on Jan. 1, 2018. He leads the 21,000-plus member association’s executive committee and board of directors, guides its national initiatives and serves as its spokesperson.

F.L. Crane & Sons Inc. of Fulton, Miss., a member of ABC’s Mississippi Chapter, has been awarded Accredited Quality Contractor (AQC) status by ABC. The AQC program recognizes and honors construction firms that document their commitment to excellence in five key areas of corporate responsibility: quality, safety, employee benefits, training and community relations.

The not seasonally adjusted (NSA) national construction unemployment rate was 5 percent in November, down 0.7 percent from a year ago and the lowest November rate on record, according to an analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data released today by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The construction industry employed 191,000 more workers than in November 2016. 

A study released this month by the Illinois Policy Institute found that repealing the state’s prevailing wage law would help boost the state’s economy by lowering the cost to taxpayers on publicly funded construction projects and spurring job growth in the construction industry. 

The not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in October, down 1.2 percent from a year ago, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. It was the lowest October rate on record, matching the rate in 2006, according to analysis by ABC. Further, the construction industry employed 180,000 more workers than in October 2016.

ABC congratulates Justin Baker, executive vice president of Gaylor Electric in Mooresville, N.C., for being named ABC's Young Professional of the Year. Baker accepted the award Nov. 8 during ABC's Leadership Week Conference in Orlando, Fla. 

Operating in 37 states and annually engaging 9,000 high school students, ACE Mentor Program relies on construction managers, architects, engineers and even accountants and marketing experts to inspire students to pursue careers in design and construction.

A record number of project owners joined ABC contractors last week at the fifth annual ABC Users Summit in New Orleans to discuss how to collaboratively improve the planning and delivery of high-quality construction projects. Thank you to our Executive and Associate Sponsors for their support of our fifth annual ABC Users Summit. View the 2017 summit program for additional details.