SSMRC staff will be attending the following events and look forward to talking with you about upcoming opportunities and ways we can work together on projects and on recruitment/retention. If there is an event you would like an SSMRC rep to attend with you, please reach out to the regional director for your area.

SSMRC leaders networked with elected officials, contractors, and manufacturers at the 2023 Auto Focus Summit hosted by our training center in Charlotte, North Carolina, March 1-2. The Southern States Automotive Contractors Association, an organization the SSMRC was instrumental in creating, held the event.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein gave a presentation and answered attendees' questions. Stein said he is committed to assisting in the prosecution of contractors who misclassify workers and commit payroll fraud. North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Machelle Sanders also a guest speaker. Both Stein and Sanders toured the Charlotte training center. "They were fascinated with the investment in North Carolina and excited to witness the opportunities their constituents have for great-paying careers and accessible skill training." said SSMRC Eastern Region Director Logan Brown, who attended the event with Charles Smith, business agent for Millwright Local 1263.

We were happy to see representatives from Alberici, Alltech Engineering, Hayden Wrecking, Boldt, McAbee, Industrial Plant Services, Haztec Safety, IICC, and Toyota at the event.

Interest in unions is up, and union membership is rising. That's good news for our industry partners because, thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and other recent federal legislation, there will be plenty of work for union contractors for years to come.

Increased union membership also means a more LEVEL PLAYING FIELD for ethical contractors. Let's work together to take advantage of this moment by recruiting dedicated people who are looking for union jobs – careers with great pay and benefits. Point them to our application.

The new training center will replace a 7,000-square-foot facility with 5,000 square feet of training space. By contrast, the new building consists of 20,000 square feet of training space and 5,000 square feet of office and administrative areas. To check out the on-site 24/7/365 camera of the jobsite, click here. Click here to access a photo gallery.

The Inflation Reduction Act is offering $270 billion in tax benefits to companies that ensure Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wages are paid to workers and that registered apprentices are utilized on a range of clean-energy projects. The projects must have started on or after Jan. 29, 2023, at facilities that produce electricity from certain renewable resources, including nuclear, hydropower, wind, biomass, geothermal, solar, landfill gas, and trash. Learn more.

Companies seeking funding through the CHIPS and Science Act, which is aimed at boosting American semiconductor research, development, and production, will be required to submit workforce development plans for workers who will build their facilities as well as operate them. Those plans must include strategies for meeting the Commerce and Labor Departments' Good Jobs Principles, which ensure projects create high-quality jobs. Applicants also are strongly encouraged to use project-labor agreements.

These guidelines give union contractors a strong advantage when bidding on work at facilities constructed with CHIPS funding. We are monitoring bidding opportunities and will keep you informed. Learn more.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $15 billion for airport projects, and the Federal Aviation Administration has announced $2.89 billion in second-year (2023) funding. The map below shows funds available for each airport and projects underway. Thirty-four projects in our 11-state Southern District are receiving 2023 funding.

The U.S. Department of Interior announced in February a proposal to open more than 300,000 acres in the Gulf of Mexico for offshore wind development. The areas that could be leased are off the coast of Lake Charles, Louisiana, and Galveston, Texas. Read more. The SSMRC can supply certified wind-turbine technicians to install wind turbines in these locations.