The Rochester metro area was the nation’s third fastest growing construction job market during the past 12 months, according to an analysis released by the Associated General Contractors of America today. As local construction firms expand their payrolls, the national association and its local chapter, however, are taking steps to prepare the next generation of construction workers amid significant construction worker shortages.

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On Jan. 15, the United States and China signed a modest ‘phase one’ trade agreement, signaling a major first step towards defusing tension in the trade war between the two nations. Under this initial agreement, the Trump administration will reduce the existing tariff rate on $120 billion worth of import goods from China, in addition to upholding its commitment to not impose further tariffs on Chinese goods. Although the agreement rolled back some of the import duties imposed on China, steep tariffs on $250 billion of goods remain. AGC applauds this initial agreement and will continue to advocate for a further reduction of tariffs to keep construction material cost low and maintain market stability.

On Jan. 16, the Senate overwhelmingly passed (89-10) H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA). Senate passage of this legislation clears the way for U.S. ratification of the newly negotiated trade pact between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Once President Trump signs the deal into law, Canada’s ratification is the final step before full implementation of the agreement. AGC has long supported this measure due to the significant economic impact trade with our North American neighbors has on the construction industry. Implementation of this new agreement will help ensure that trade impacting the construction industry supply chain remains free, fair, and certain.

Survey Finds Optimism about 2020 along with Even Tighter Labor Supply as Construction Unemployment Sets Record December Low; Association Calls for Government to Boost Career Opportunities, Immigration

On Dec. 19, the House passed H.R. 5430, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (USMCA). The passage of this legislation represents a major first step towards ratification of the newly negotiated trade pact between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Senate is set to consider USMCA in the new year. AGC has long supported this measure due to the significant economic impact trade with our North American neighbors has on the construction industry. Ratification of this new agreement will help ensure that trade impacting the construction industry supply chain remains free, fair, and certain.

On Dec. 10, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer announced a bipartisan agreement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA) that will allow the trade pact to move forward in the House as soon as next week. Once a House vote is taken, the measure will move to the Senate for consideration. The Trump administration announced an agreement in principle on this newly negotiated version of NAFTA in late 2018 and has been working with Congress throughout the duration of this year to secure its passage. AGC applauds this announcement and will continue to support USMCA as it moves through the ratification process. An updated agreement with our North American trading partners is long overdue and will help ensure that trade impacting the construction industry supply chain remains free, fair, and certain.

Industry Continues to Add Workers Faster and Pay Higher Wages than Overall Economy as Association Officials Call on Congress and the White House to Pass the JOBS Act, Boost Funding for Career Training