The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) today
launched a new national effort designed to show broad support for needed new
infrastructure investments. The effort is designed to make sure that new
infrastructure investments help create and preserve construction jobs and serve
as a foundation for future economic growth, said Stephen Sandherr, the
association’s Chief Executive Officer.
The effort is necessary because the construction sector has
been particularly hard hit by the economic challenges facing the nation. More
than 770,000 construction workers have lost their jobs over the past two years,
Sandherr noted, adding that without new infrastructure investments, countless
more construction workers could lose their jobs next year.
“We want to build a foundation of support for new
infrastructure investments that is as strong as it is necessary,” said Sandherr. “These
investments will put Americans back to work and make our economy strong for
decades to come.”
Sandherr said that investing in new infrastructure would
have significant, positive, long-term benefits for the U.S. economy. Cutting
congestion, improving education and health care facilities, cleaning water
supplies and improving levies will improve America’s ability to compete
globally. He added that the economic slowdown has led to declines in
construction material prices, meaning taxpayers will get a better deal on
investments made next year.
As part of the campaign, the association has begun a new
advertising campaign, new outreach to construction workers, their suppliers and
business partners, and new efforts to build support from local and state
officials. Over the coming weeks, the association is asking supporters to
log onto towww.agc.org/letsbuildand add their names to a petition in support of vital new infrastructure
investments that will go to the next Congress and the office of the
President-elect.
“We have a unique opportunity to turn our short term
economic challenges into long-term economic solutions,” Sandherr said. “It’s
hard to imagine anyone objecting to building now for a better future.”
