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| CompGroup AGC offers workers' compensation coverage exclusively for commercial construction contractors and sub-contractors. Through our partnership with Texas Mutual Insurance Company, the state's leading writer of workers' compensation insurance, CompGroup AGC is able to offer competitive rates, responsive customer service, expert claim handling and extensive loss prevention training and safety programs. |
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UPCOMING CHAPTER EVENTS
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Activities Committee Meeting - February 10
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TEXAS CONTRACTORS OPTMISTIC about 2016
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In Texas, contractors expect a net increase of 44% across all construction markets, with the highest increases in the hospital (34%), higher education (30%), K-12 schools (30%), as well as retail, warehouse and lodging (23%) segments. Meanwhile, challenges at the top of Texas contractors' lists include worker shortages and quality (55%), increased competition for projects (48%) and rising direct labor costs (43%).
"A quick look across the Austin skyline is enough to tell anyone that the local construction market is strong," said Austin AGC President Phil Thoden. "People and companies continue to choose Central Texas as a desirable place to work, live and play. Additionally, the Texas legislature in 2015 approved nearly $5 billion in higher education and government facilties construction projects that will add to an already vibrant construction market here, even in spite of the statewide oil industry slowdown," added Thoden.
Texas specific survey results are available by clicking here.
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TRAVIS COUNTY APPROVES CONSTRUCTION POLICY for PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
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Phil Thoden with the Austin AGC Speaks to Travis County Commissioners on January 26
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Travis County Commissioners discussed and approved construction requirements related to a new policy that governs how the
county can issues issue revenue bonds to pay for public infrastructure, - such as roads and sidewalks - in a Public Improvement District (PID). The County action was spurred on by an application for a PID from the Wild Horse Ranch subdivision near the intersection of SH 130 and U.S. Highway 290 west of Manor.
The Commissioners Court considered and approved five construction-related requirements for County improvements on PIDs. Three of these are already standard in Travis County construction documents: safety training for workers, workers compensation insurance and a prevailing wage scale. The remaining two items approved include a requirement that 30% of the workers come from local training centers, and that there be an "independent" monitor of these requirements.
AGC President Phil Thoden recommended to the Court that the local training centers not be limited to only Department of Labor (DoL) certified training centers, as that would rule out opportunities for hires from training programs such as at the Austin Community College, Austin School District and others.
He also expressed concerns about the monitoring component that will likely require an outside service provider should County staff be unable to perform this service. This will trigger an additional solicitation and outlay of Travis County taxpayer funding. AGC will participate in a Task Force monitoring this new policy and continue advocating for a monitoring component that balances the desire for worker protection with fiscal responsibility.
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CELEBRATE THE OUTSTANDING CONSTRUCTION AWARDS on FEBRUARY 12!
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Category Building 1: Braun and Butler Construction for Eagle Bank Round Rock Branch
Category Building 2: Braun and Butler Construction for St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church
Category Building 4: Joeris General Contractors, Ltd. for San Marcos CISD Bonham Pre-Kindergarten School
Category Building 5: Rogers-O'Brien Construction Company for Lamar Central
Category Building 6: Austin Commercial for Austin Bergstrom International Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility
Category Design Build 1: The Beck Group for Domain II Plaza Redevelopment
Category Design Build 2: Rogers-O'Brien Construction Company for Rankin County Replacement Facilities - Hospital & Wellness Center
Category Design Build 3: Hensel Phelps for Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Terminal East Infill
Category Health Care 1: Sabre Commercial, Inc. for St. David's South Austin Medical Center Hybrid Operating Room
Category Industrial/Warehouse 1: Sabre Commercial, Inc. for PODS Warehouse Facility
Category Interior Finish-Out 2: Sabre Commercial, Inc. for The University of Texas at Austin, Perry CastaƱeda Library, New Learning Center
Category Specialty Construction: Chasco Constructors for Lexus of Lakeway
Category Interiors: Lasco Acoustics & Drywall, Inc.- Austin for Georgetown Public Safety Operations & Training Center
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SAFETY AWARD ENTRIES - BOTH STATE and NATIONAL - DUE on FEBRUARY 3
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Recognizing AGC Contractor Members for Safety Excellence Since 1926,
the National AGC Safety Awards (NASA) program has been an ongoing effort to offer AGC members an opportunity to evaluate their safety record. NASA compares a member's safety record with other AGC members according to the member size and construction type. Additionally, NASA provides a great opportunity for contractor members to compete for nationally recognized awards that have excellent safety records.
While national award eligibility requires 3 consecutive years of entries, the state
AGC Texas Building Branch awards (distributed at the annual TBB convention to be held June 2016 in Marble Falls) require only 1 year of entry.
This is a very easy and great way way to get recognition for your company's superior safety efforts! Contact
Larry Connelly with questions.
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AGC of AMERICA CONVENTION in SAN ANTONIO MARCH 9-11
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Join your fellow construction industry professionals at the 97th Annual AGC Convention, March 9-11, 2016 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.
The AGC Annual Convention and Technology & Construction Solutions Expo is the ideal opportunity to see everything AGC can do for you and your business. Join us for more than 15 education breakouts, terrific networking events and industry leading speakers, all in a perfect location for business, culture, family and fun ... San Antonio. Easy access and limited travel expense for Central Texans!
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - ANDREWS MYERS ADDS SEASONED ATTORNEYS to AUSTIN TEAM
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Austin AGC member Andrews Myers law firm is pleased to announce the addition of two new Shareholders to the firm's Austin office, Carson Fisk and Clayton Utkov, both seasoned construction attorneys in the Central Texas region.
Carson Fisk represents a wide-range of clients within the construction industry in both contentious and non-contentious matters, including complex construction
litigation, best practi
ces and claims counseling, and contract drafting and negotiation. Additionally, he maintains an active alternative disput
e resolution practice as a credentialed mediator with the TMCA and as a Neutral on the AAA Roster of Neutrals.
C layton Utkov's practice focuses on both transactional and dispute resolution aspects of construction law, where he represents contractor, supplier and owner clients on various mid-to-large scale public and private sector projects throughout Texas. He has significant experience resolving issues for clients through several methods:
negotiations, mediation, arbitration and litigation in both state and federal courts.
Clayton maintains an active alternative dispute resolution practice as an arbitrator and credentialed mediator with the TMCA.
Clayton can be reached at 512-900-3043 and cutkov@andrewsmyers.com.
If you would like to feature your Austin AGC company updates in the Austin AGC newsletter, contact Phil Thoden.
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CONSTRUCTION RESUMES and JOB LISTINGS
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AGC Chapters around Texas have formed a partner website called texasconstructioncareers.com to help you find employment or an employee. Check out the job bank page to post your resume or review potential hires.
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Seventy percent of Texas construction firms plan to expand their payrolls in 2016 as contractors expect a range of public and private markets to grow, 
