TIME FOR CHANGE, YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS IS COUNTING ON IT

Click Here to find a summary of bills in the NH legislature ABC is tracking, many of which continue to be debated. The theme of the legislature this year, as evident by the status of many of the bills, is to "retain", "re refer", "lay on the table" the bill. In all such cases either delaying or resulting in no decision.

Contact ABC for information on any of the bills. We will be providing members final results and any impact.

The Chapter Government Relations Committee has been discussing the increasing challenges facing NH and the need for a comprehensive, sustained strategic plan for attracting and retaining business. There is no question, business leaders in all industries in NH are confronting issues that impact their ability or decision to grow, expand in NH (click here for NH economic rankings). The period since 2010 is the first in more than 40 years in which annual job growth in New Hampshire lagged behind the national and regional rates. The United States and New England have recovered all of the jobs lost in the recession, while New Hampshire has lagged in returning to pre-recession job levels.  Both public sector (i.e. government) employment and health care have risen sharply over the past decade as a percent of overall economic activity. These two sectors are quickly approaching manufacturing as the largest slice of the state's economy.

What are the factors that will provide the ability or incentive  for business to locate expand in NH? What will attract a workforce to New Hampshire? Will needed change to support a vibrant economy in NH impact public policy decisions? Clearly, the inability of current public policy decision makers to move forward and implement many initiatives is impacted by budget constraints. The ABC Government Relations Committee is prioritizing issues and identifying opportunities to participate and help influence the establishment of initiatives to support the health of NH's economy and ability for business success. If you have any feedback, comments or are interested in participating with committee activity, please contact ABC. 

ABC's NH/VT Annual Construction Industry Wage & Benefit Survey Results are now available to members. The annual survey data, collected from December 2014 through March 2015, included responses from 50 contractors, with an average of 49 employees and an average annual volume of $11 million. The responses covered wage and benefit practices for 17 classifications of employees. The survey results also provide information on health, dental, disability, retirement and other life style benefits.

Please contact the ABC NH/VT Chapter Office if you have any questions: 603-226-4789

Click here for a fillable EIC entry form

All member contractors have now received the invitation for entry to Associated Builders & Contractors' 2015 EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION AWARDS (EIC) program.  Be recognized, promote your capabilities and get noticed by prospective customers. The 2015 Awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, October 22, 2015, at the Capital Center for the Arts, in Concord, NH.  Projects to be entered must have been completed between 1/1/13 and 1/1/15. The deadline for entries is June 29, 2015.

Please feel free to contact the chapter office to schedule a meeting to assist your planning and preparation of an entry, including questions on entry rules, requirements tips for submitting an entry and examples of award winning submissions and the required project narratives.