AGC News
“Job gains in construction have slowed markedly in recent months but the industry is still increasing employment nearly twice as much as other employers,” said Ken Simonson, AGC of America's chief economist. “The recent slowdown in hiring and construction spending may reflect contractors’ difficulty in finding enough qualified workers, rather than a downturn in demand for projects.” Simonson noted that the 2.8% growth in construction employment between July 2018 and July 2019 was the slowest in more than six years but that the rate remained close to double the 1.5% increase in total nonfarm payroll employment.
Visit https://www.agc.org/news/2019/08/02/construction-employment-rises-4000-july-and-202000-over-past-year-sector%E2%80%99s to view the full article online.
Message from the President/CEO
Everyone Counts! That is a key underlying message of the Census 2020 campaign. While the official Census Day is not until April 1, 2020, the Census Bureau is already busy working to ensure that every individual in the United States is counted, only once, and in the right place. Why is that important? The data derived from the census is used in a variety of very important ways: • Local government – to ensure public safety and to plan new schools and hospitals • Businesses – to decide where to build factories, offices and stores – ultimately creating new jobs • Residents – to support community initiatives such as quality of life • Real estate developers – to plan new homes and improve neighborhoods Since 1790, the Census Bureau has been conducting the constitutionally mandated census every ten years. It was important to a country one year removed from ratifying its founding constitution and it is equally important to the United States roughly 230 years later.
Visit https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/count-down-up-2020-census-jerry-nevlud/ to view the full article online.
Member News
 On July 19, Gilbane Building Company joined Rice Management Company, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, city leaders, Hines, Gensler Architects and SHoP Architects in celebrating the groundbreaking of The Ion. This historic renovation will transform a Sears, Roebuck & Company building that was built in 1939 and turn it into an innovation hub that will consist of co-working, event, academic (classrooms and lecture rooms), restaurant and entertainment amenities. Over the next two years, the 80-year-old Sears building at 4201 Main in Midtown will be transformed into an incubator with workspaces, classrooms, workforce development centers, public exhibits and a restaurant. The Art Deco building will retain some of the signature elements of its original art deco design such as the historic corners, glass block windows, decorative tilework and a three-sided storefront with architectural canopies – while new large windows will connect the open interior to the surrounding streetscape. A new central skylight will shower the building in natural sunlight and, from inside, provide unobstructed views across the ground floor. Learn more about Rice University's acquisition of a new Midtown innovation district that will transform a 9.4-acre site, anchored by the former Sears building, into a hub designed to bring together the area’s entrepreneurial, corporate and academic communities into collaborative spaces and programs.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=574177&issueID=65342 to view the full article online.
AGC Houston member Ritchie Bros. announces the upcoming auction of heavy construction equipment. Wether you are looking for excavators, loader backhoes, pick up trucks, motor graders, dump trucks and more, the event will take place August 20-21, 2019 at their massive lot in Humble. Test and inspect on site prior to auction. The auction will be open for online and in-person bidding. For more details, contact Nicolas Agudelo at (281) 570-1042.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/Ritchie_Bors._Auction.pdf to view the full article online.
News you can Use
The National Association of Minority Contractors is honoring Houston's Construction Workers and their families at their second annual "Say of the Construction Workers' on Saturday, Aug. 24 at Minute Maid Park. The celebration will include safety, health and education exhibits along with activities and entertainment. NAMC is looking for additional sponsors to host families at the Astros baseball game against the LA Angels, later that afternoon.
Visit https://namctexas.org/events/ to view the full article online.
Membership Benefits
Through your AGC Shipping Program you can receive competitive discounts on qualifying LTL (less-than-truckload) shipments greater than 150 lbs. It's free to enroll in the program and there are no minimum shipping requirements to take advantage of your member discounts. If you would like to enroll in your AGC Shipping Program or would just like some more information please call 1-800-MEMBERS (1.800.636.2377, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. EST, M-F) or visit www.1800members.com/agc
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=574172&issueID=65342 to view the full article online.
Resources
IT'S HURRICANE SEASON Hurricanes and the effects of severe thunderstorms pose high risks to construction sites, with their incomplete structures, expensive machinery and equipment, flood-prone excavations and building materials that can quickly become projectiles in high winds. The AGC Houston Safety Committee has prepared the " Guidelines for Creation of Emergency Preparedness Plan," a highly useful, free document. Click here to download the document and to view other resources Visit https://agchouston.org/AGCH/Safety/AGCH/Safety/Safety.aspx?hkey=e640e59b-5458-4d3d-90a5-09b039007e51 to view the full article online.
Here's Looking at You
AGC Texas Building Branch announced the winner of the Outstanding Construction Awards, which will take place Aug. 22 at the Sheraton Georgetown Resort and Conference Center. All AGC members welcome to attend! Your registration includes dinner and the awards presentation. Price per person is $150, or $1,250 for a table of 10. Please register at www.agctbb.org. Congratulations to the following AGC Houston member companies on their win! General Contractor- Building 3 ($5M - $10M) - Satterfield & Pontikes Construction: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral General Contractor- Design Build 3 (Over $30M) - Gilbane Building Company: Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center Doug Pitcock '49 Specialty Contractor- Electrical 1 ($0 - $5M) - Walker Engireering: Inwood Manor - MEP Infrastructure Replacement Specialty Contractor- Electrical 2 ($5M - $10M) - Walker Engineering: Marriott CityPlace Hotel at Springwoods Village Specialty Contractor- Electrical 3 (Over $10M) - Walker Engineering: Houston Methodist Hospital North Campus Expansion Specialty Contractor- Interiors (All Contract Amounts) - Karsten Interior Services: University of Houston- Clear Lake Pearland Campus Health Sciences and Classroom Building Specialty Contractor- Mechanical 1 ($0 - $5M) - MLN Companies: Lone Star Flight Museum
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=574022&issueID=65342 to view the full article online.
|
