Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today congratulated the winners of its annual Excellence in Construction Awards celebration – the industry’s leading competition, where the top construction projects and the firms that displayed exemplary commitment to safety and diversity in 2012 were recognized Feb. 20 at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

With across-the-board cuts to federal spending scheduled to begin on March 1, the White House and congressional leaders this week sparred over the origin, impact and alternatives to the so-called "sequester" mandated by the Budget Control Act of 2011.  Absent Congressional action, the $85.3 billion in cuts will be evenly split between defense and non-defense spending, and spread broadly to virtually every program and project.

ABC members that attend the 21st Century Workforce Development Conference April 30-May 3 in Birmingham, Ala., will have the opportunity to sign up for one of the seven education Academies, including the Construction Education Professionals Academy, the Financial Management Academy and the Human Resources Academy.

ABC Feb. 20 named Cajun Industries, LLC, Baton Rouge, La., its 2012 Contractor of the Year. Cajun Industries Founder and Chairman, Lane Grigsby, accepted the award on behalf of the company during ABC’s 23rd annual Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence Award program held Feb. 20 at the Harbor Beach Marriott in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

The Department of Health and Human Services Feb. 25 published a final rule on the definition of essential health benefits and determining actuarial value in the individual and small group markets and on determining the minimum value standard for large employers. The rule is scheduled to take effect on April 26

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Feb. 19 issued an order of abeyance on an appeal of the NLRB controversial “ambush” elections rule by the ABC-led Coalition for a Democratic Workplace. The order suspends consideration of the appeal “pending further order of the court.”  

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking feedback from the construction industry about the potential use of government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal projects in Illinois and the Savannah District.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) has named Cajun Industries, LLC, Baton Rouge, La., its 2012 Contractor of the Year. Cajun Industries Founder and Chairman, Lane Grigsby, accepted the award on behalf of the company during ABC’s 23rd annual Excellence in Construction and National Safety Excellence Award program held Feb. 20 at the Harbor Beach Marriott in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

ABC Feb. 20 congratulated the winners of its annual Excellence in Construction Awards celebration – the industry’s leading competition, where the top construction projects and the firms that displayed exemplary commitment to safety and diversity in 2012 were recognized Feb. 20 at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.