New Monthly Job Loss Data Foreshadows More Layoffs Amid Project Cancellations and State Cutbacks in Road Projects as Association Calls for More Small Business Relief and Immediate Aid for Highway Funding
Survey of Construction Firms by the Associated General Contractors of America Finds More Than Half of Firms Have Had Projects Halted as 74 Percent Seek New Paycheck Protection Loans to Retain Staff
Associated General Contractors of America Organized the Nationwide Safety Stand Down to Make Sure Firms and Workers Know, and Follow, All Coronavirus-Related Safety Procedures and Practices
Association Officials Urge Quick Enactment of Infrastructure Investment, Relief for Hard-Hit Firms and Pensions in Order to Save Jobs in Construction and Supplier Industries
On April 2, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued an “interim final rule” to the effect that business must have 500 or fewer employees and fall below the SBA’s small business size standards in order to qualify for the Paycheck Protection Program. Congress, however, declared that the program shall be open to all business that have 500 or fewer employees or fall below those standards. Over the weekend, ԹϺ of America alerted the Trump Administration to the problem, and late last night the U.S. Department of Treasury released new guidance about the Paycheck Protection Program loans that includes the following:
Construction Officials Urge Agency to Make Clear that Firms that Employ 500 or Fewer People to Qualify for Paycheck Protection Program Loans, Regardless of Revenue
Association Survey Conducted This Week Suggests Industry’s Job Losses are Spreading Rapidly; Officials Call for Additional Federal Measures to Help Avoid Further Layoffs and Economic Pain
Survey Finds Contractors Face Shortages of Materials and Workers, Delivery Delays and Cancellations; Association Officials Urge Additional Measures to Help Workers, Firms and the Economy to Recover
ԹϺ Supports Streamlining Federal Environmental Review Process While Maintaining Rigorous Protections
The comment period closed March 10 on the Council on Environmental Quality’s (CEQ) proposed updates to the implementing rules for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). ԹϺ filed a comprehensive letter on behalf of the construction industry in support of the proposal to promote more efficient, effective, and timely federal environmental reviews and permitting of infrastructure projects. ԹϺ seeks to increase investment and project development in a manner that strengthens our economy and enhances environmental stewardship. To this end, ԹϺ also supported the U.S. Chamber-led “Unlock American Investment” coalition’s extensive outreach, education and advocacy efforts – click here for coalition letter.