The Current State Of Business Development

Thanks to Harris Winick, Holland & Knight and W.B. Olson, Inc. for contributing to stories in the most recent issue of our newsletter, The Builder. This issue includes items on the Builders Scholarship Foundation, digital discovery, the False Claims Act and a comprehensive Business Development study released by the AGC of America and FMI.

Refreshing Opportunity

Act quickly to get your business in front of Chicagoland's best industry firms. A dwindling number of sponsorship opportunities remain for next week's Builders Scholarship Foundation Golf Outing, including one Course Refreshment Sponsorship ($1,500) and three hole sponsorships ($300). Join the growing list of companies who have already signed up to support a great cause. Since 2003, this outing has raised over $200,000 in scholarship funds for 38 students majoring in Construction Management or Construction Engineering.

On The Road To Recovery

As construction economists continue to wonder about the likelihood of a full recovery for the construction industry, the AGC of America this week lauded legislators for finally passing a transportation bill.

In The News

A Midwest Construction story cited information from the AGC to illustrate construction growth in Indianapolis and job loss in Chicago.
Construction spending nationwide hit its highest point in 2 1/2 years in May.

Around Our Membership

Riteway-Huggins Construction Services President & CEO Larry A. Huggins was reappointed last week to the METRA Commuter Rail Service Board. He has served as Acting Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer of METRA's Board of Directors.
Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart hosts a webinar on the Affordable Care Act July 26.
Howard Wagner of Crowe Horwath examines the tax provisions of the recent upheld health care law.
Assurance Agency, Rose Paving Company and Sikich LLP were recognized among Best Places To Work In Illinois by the Daily Herald Business Ledger. View a video montage from the event.
Midwest Real Estate Journal covered groundbreaking at Thomas Place Orland Park by Ryan Companies U.S., Inc.

Words To Build On

"You know when you're young, you think you will always be. As you become more fragile, you reflect and you realize how much comfort can come from the past." Andy Griffith, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 86

Upcoming events

Lean Construction-Pull In Production: July 13, 2012
Lean from a Specialty Contractor's Perspective: July 17, 2012
Contractor Safety Forum: August 9, 2012
2012 Fall Meeting: September 18, 2012

Know what your contract says about Holiday work, as the July 4th will be observed tomorrow. View a recent negotiation notice from the Builders Association on talks with Teamsters Local 25 and Operating Engineers Local 150.

In other labor news, the Construction Labor Research Council released a comprehensive roundup of numbers from contracts collectively bargained from coast-to-coast this year.

Have a safe and happy July 4th!

This week's member testimonial from Climatemp Inc.

“(The NPP program with Verizon Wireless) has been very beneficial for us and that's something we were able to pick up through the Builders Association. We got 12 Blackberrys that would have cost apporxiamately $100 per phone. We got them for about five dollars apiece.” Mona Blood, Vice President of Risk Management