INDUSTRY UPDATES

WRTP | BIG STEP’s Plans for Leveraging an ‘Economic Down-Payment’

The organization is utilizing resources and partnerships to develop workforce

"The infrastructure funds released from the federal government is an economic down payment on the future growth of our country. In Wisconsin, we have to be flexible and agile enough to advocate for and access those funds. WRTP | BIG STEP plays a vital role in accessing these funds, but it’s going to take collaboration with all of our stakeholders, including Building Advantage, to make sure that Wisconsin gets its fair share. We need to be at the table and be loud about our successes here in Wisconsin so that we secure funding for more building, job creation and community investment."

"The Zoning, Neighborhood and Development Committee voted unanimously to approve two changes to zoning around a pair of concert halls with capacities for 400 and 8,000 people at 1001 Vel R. Phillips Ave. City officials held an hours-long public hearing with concerns from opposing small business owners and support from construction professionals."

Miron Construction Co., JCP Construction, Milwaukee Area Service and Hospitality workers union, and the Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council recently reached a project labor agreement on the project. 

The recently announced Hines Third Ward apartment tower is moving forward after its $109 million construction loan was finalized through Ullico, a Washington D.C. based firm that invests with union building trades’ pension fund contributions.

The $190 million Couture is another major project in Milwaukee financed by union pension funds. The project is in part being financed with $104.5 million from the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust (HIT) fund as well as a $17 million equity investment from a local union pension fund via WhiteStar.

ACEA's Executive Director, Matt Marcellis, also breaks down OSHA's escalating fines for repeat and willful safety violations. 

As recently reported, the number of OSHA on-site inspections is back to pre-pandemic levels. That makes this a perfect time to examine the topic of OSHA’s escalating fines for “repeat and willful” safety violations, the principle that means two OSHA violations for one contractor could result in a $12,000 fine, but the same two violations could cost another contractor $265,000.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Heat for the Holiday - Milwaukee Building Trades Council Fundraiser

The Milwaukee Building Trades are accepting donations for their annual fundraiser benefitting Meta House. Last year almost $9,500 was raised with a goal of $15,000 for 2022. Donations can be made payable to MBCTC Labor Ride Fund and sent to: MBCTC, 5941 W Bluemound Rd, Milwaukee WI 53213

Building Advantage Construction Career Fair - November 1st 

Building Advantage’s annual career fair gives local students the opportunity to explore the different union construction trades with hands-on activities. We're thrilled to host this year's event at Fiserv Forum on Tuesday, November 1st. Seven hundred high school students from over 30 schools will be in attendance. Thank you to our generous sponsors and industry partners that have helped to grow this year's career fair. 

Biz Times Commercial Real Estate & Development Conference

Join us on Thursday, November 17th at the Italian Community Center for the Biz Times annual conference.

Presented by BizTimes Milwaukee, Marquette University’s Bell Real Estate Program and the Commercial Association of Realtors Wisconsin (CARW), the conference examines the latest trends in commercial real estate and development and explores the possibilities for the year ahead.

Do you have an upcoming Career Fair or Hiring Event? 

Send us the event information and we can share the details on our social media, website and newsletter.