Members' Edge - December 21, 2020

Education/Training

To all of our members who volunteered their time in 2020 to teach classes and lead workshops (as well as adapting to a virtual world), a heartfelt THANK YOU!

AGC Houston is privileged to have such dedicated members whose efforts to lead and elevate our Chapter makes it one of the strongest in the nation!

Thank you for sharing your skills and knowledge, we're so grateful for your help!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653596&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

AGC Scholarship Applications Now Open

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653554&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

Safety

Upcoming Safety Classes

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653237&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

AGC National Safety Awards Application Now Open

Recognizing AGC Contractor Members for Safety Excellence since 1991, the National AGC Safety Awards (NASA) program has been an ongoing effort to offer AGC members an opportunity to evaluate their safety record.

Safety awards are given to members who have an incident rate 25% below each division's average and members who have a zero incident rate in the following divisions: Building, Highway, Heavy/Industrial, Municipal/Utilities and Associate/Specialty.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/pdf/2020_NASA_AWARD_INFORMATION_pdf.pdf to view the full article online.

AGC News

AGC Needs Your Voice To Block Federal Tax Increase On PPP Program

Tell President Trump and Congress to enact legislation this year to protect construction jobs by blocking a surprise federal tax increase of up to 37 percent on Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness.

If Congress fails to act by the end of the year, thousands of construction jobs funded through PPP loans could be in jeopardy because, rather than 100 percent of PPP funds going to payroll, rent, utility payments, and mortgage interest, up to 37 percent will go to the IRS instead.

Click the "Take Action" button below and simply submit the pre-written message as is to President Trump and your members of Congress or customize it with personal information on how this issue impacts you and your employer.

Visit https://agc.p2a.co/hNdZ9W1?title=&fullname=Catherine%20Bezman&email=catherine.b%40agchouston.org&phone=--&address1=3825%20Dacoma%20St&address2=&zip5=77092&country=US&city=Houston to view the full article online.

AGC Takes SBA To Court, Yielding New Guidance Results

AGC is pleased to report that its legal action against the Small Business Administration has quickly yielded results. On December 9, the Small Business Administration and the Treasury Department issued new guidance on the questionnaire.

The guidance confirms that "the statutorily required certification" of economic uncertainty and necessity did not have to meet any objective standard. Companies merely had to make that certification "in good faith at the time of the loan application."

On December 10, after weeks, if not months, of insisting that it had to keep the questionnaire secret, the SBA officially released the form, posting a copy on the agency's website

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653245&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

AGC Of America And Sage Conducting Hiring And Business Outlook Survey

AGC Houston members are encouraged to take part in this important survey, which will be conducted by Sage. The survey results will be compiled through early December, and Chief Economist Ken Simonson and other AGC staff will prepare any analysis of the findings.

Click here to complete the survey.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653246&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

AGC Announces Virtual Safety & Health Conference

The 2021 AGC Construction Safety & Health Conference is going virtual Jan. 13-15. Join us, from wherever you are, for the same superior educational content and peer-to-peer engagement that you have come to expect from AGC.

AGC of America has reduced the registration fees to reflect the virtual delivery format. And, if you are unable to join us on those dates or for a specific online session, your registration gives you access to recordings of the education sessions.

Visit http://www.naylornetwork.com/ngc-safetyMatters/articles/index-v3.asp?aid=639493&issueID=72699 to view the full article online.

AGC Business Development Group Forum Offers Resources For BD Professionals

The AGC Business Development Forum's mission is to advise AGC members of new market opportunities, to follow and report on trends in the construction market, and to advise members on the techniques and tools of BD. By joining the Forum, you'll have access to other BD professionals from across the country in various construction sectors as well as publications, webinars and other BD resources to help increase the profit and visibility of your firm.

Get the details here.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653248&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

News you can Use

Construction Report Indicates Slow Start In November

Nonresidential construction starts increased 19 percent last month, but that wasn't enough to prevent a two percent decrease in Dodge Data & Analytics' gauge of total construction starts. Nonbuilding starts fell 14 percent, while residential starts declined seven percent, as total starts dropped in three regions and climbed in two.

Visit https://www.construction.com/news/november-mixed-month-construction-starts-2020 to view the full article online.

Pandemic Adoption Of Construction Tech Uneven

Construction technology focused on collaboration, scanning, safety and design have seen the widest uptake across the industry during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by JLL. Other solutions, such as 3D printing and artificial intelligence, remain in early stages of adoption.

Visit https://www.bdcnetwork.com/covid-19-affects-industry%E2%80%99s-adoption-contech-different-ways to view the full article online.

Texas Campus Near Apple Add Space

Construction on the first phase of an expanded and redeveloped mixed-use office campus near Apple in Austin, Texas, could begin in late 2021 or early 2022. The redevelopment includes 800,000 square feet of office space, 1,800 apartments, a hotel and retail space.

Visit https://austin.culturemap.com/news/real-estate/12-15-20-massive-mixed-use-project-new-apple-campus-7700-parmer-lane/ to view the full article online.

Congress Advances Relief, Funding Legislation

Congress is expected to approve a $1.4 trillion appropriations bill after reaching agreement on a $900 billion pandemic relief package. The legislation includes funds for a new Water Resources Development Act, as well as loans for small businesses, funds for transportation workers and payments for individuals.

Visit https://www.enr.com/articles/50914-in-year-end-push-hill-leaders-reach-deal-on-900b-relief-package to view the full article online.

Membership Benefits

New Cornerstone Hot Off The Press

Check out the Fall edition of Cornerstone magazine now online.

The digital version offers quick access at your fingertips.

Read about our Safety Award recipients, the Midyear meeting and AGC Champions Golf Tournament highlights, Tony Mansoorian's final column as Chairman, and more!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653242&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

'Tis The Season To Shop And Save With NPP!

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653243&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653244&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

Resources

EEOC Releases Important COVID-19 Vaccination-Related Guidance

The EEOC has released COVID-19 vaccination-related guidance, including critical information about legal concerns employers should know if they choose to mandate vaccinations for employees. The guidance can be found in the EEOC’s existing resource on COVID: What You Should Know About COVID-19 and the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, and Other EEO Laws.

AGC does not support government mandates for construction firms to require employee vaccinations. Rather, the association supports construction firms’ ability to freely choose the best approach for their individual businesses as well as their employees.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653907&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

Keeping Safety Viral During A Pandemic

Visit https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/national/09302020 to view the full article online.

OSHA Website Features Resources For Coronavirus And More

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration website features coronavirus-related guidance for construction employers and workers. The guidance includes recommended actions to reduce the risk of exposure to the coronavirus.

See the information

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/hca-nwl/articles/index-v2.asp?aid=653622&issueID=69086 to view the full article online.

CDC Provides Safety Recommendations During Holiday

With the start of the holiday season, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued communications on limiting exposure that places individuals at risk of COVID-19. The latest newsletter addresses the wearing of face masks, households living in close quarters, attending events and other topics.

Visit https://m.emailupdates.cdc.gov/rest/head/mirrorPage/@rIYinAcJxMdjMxHLPs0P53CSNjTX_spSCBdKiz5eMGeAF0Inw0GbikXfi2JBEEO4-fgpXVskAOY9dh2ugOMYBS8PWiaRwureUptTyw6FD0Qo-Bi9.html to view the full article online.