Homeowners in many large U.S. cities, especially Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco and Seattle have enjoyed phenomenal growth in their real estate investment, otherwise known as home sweet home. But increased home values are not the only contribution the construction industry makes to the American economy. Construction is also a major source of jobs. The industry provides employment to more than 6.5 million workers - 5 percent of the nonfarm workforce - and self-employment to another 1.5 million, or one of six self-employed workers. "The construction industry offers many different career options," notes Dennis Day, executive director for public affairs for Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). In addition, construction makes a disproportionately large contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP). The value of construction put in place in 2001 exceeded $840 billion, or 8 percent of GDP, considerably higher than the construction industry's share of employment.
More important yet is the contribution construction projects make through creating roads, airports, buildings and other structures that improve productivity and quality of life. "Our industry builds office space, entertainment venues and homes, places where people spend their days and live their lives," says Day.
To recognize companies that utilize state-of-the-art techniques, excellence in project management and client service, innovation in construction techniques or material, community relations and sensitivity to the environment, AGC recently announced the winners of its Build America Awards. "The winners of these awards epitomize the values and innovation important to the construction industry," says Day. "They were selected by a contractor's toughest critics - other contractors." AGC presented awards to 23 companies in 14 categories representing the range of projects undertaken by the industry.
A sampling of the winners includes Environmental Operations, Inc. (EOI) of St. Louis, Mo., which was honored in the Environmental Renovation category for its Alton Center Business Park project. This redevelopment of a 177-acre former glass plant required a serious environmental overhaul. In the process of salvaging this site which had been contaminated with oil-, lead- and arsenic-laden sludge and more than 500 tons of asbestos, EOI helped revive the local economy.
Another winner was Williams Brothers Construction Company, Inc., which was cited for its Queen Isabella Causeway Reconstruction project in South Padres Island, Texas. The extensive renovation was completed in response to a tragic bridge collapse that killed 8 people and cost 600 construction workers their jobs when it was struck by a tugboat.
"These awards symbolize the dedication and attention to detail that all of our members strive for," says Day. "The winning projects show innovation, talent and focus on community."
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is the largest and oldest national construction trade association, founded in 1918. AGC represents more than 35,000 firms, including 7,500 of America's leading general contractors, and 12,000 specialty-contracting firms. More than 14,000 service providers and suppliers are also associated with AGC through a nationwide network of chapters. Visit the AGC Web site at www.agc.org.
Courtesy of ARA Content
