Perhaps you work better under pressure!?!? If so, there's still time to start your entries for the 2010 Build Georgia Awards Program.

Regardless of whether you are almost done preparing your entry or you plan to "pull an all-nighter" prior to the February 10 deadline, Georgia Branch, AGC is here to help answer your questions!

Below are answers to several questions we've received this week. Be sure your project is in compliance.

1. All submittals are officially accepted after Chapter staff verifies the sponsoring firm(s) is(are) current with their membership dues.
2. All parties of a joint venture must be members of the Georgia Branch, AGC.
3. If you as a GC are entering a project, a subcontractor on the same project may enter their portion of the work in the specialty contractor division.
4. Regardless of whether an employee was a direct hire or an employee of a sub-sub, etc. -- if there was a fatality during construction of your project, it is not eligible for the Build Georgia Award Program.
5. The project must be in Georgia - no exceptions.
6. If submitting more than one project, please include only one check that is inclusive of all entry fees.

The above information is detailed, along with many other important criteria and procedures, in the entry brochures and checklists - download a copy. Be sure to notice a difference between general contractor entry forms and specialty contractor forms.

Please contact Alyson Abercrombie, the program's staff liaison at 678-298-4106 if you have any questions.

by Mark Woodall, Georgia Branch, AGC's Director of Governmental Affairs
Released February 3, 2010

Earlier today, Georgia Branch, AGC’s Young Leadership Program hosted a legislative luncheon and tour of Georgia’s State Capitol. Nearly 40 attendees heard from our newly appointed Secretary of State Brian Kemp during the luncheon held atop the Sloppy Floyd Building. The group then walked across the street to visit the Capitol for a tour and the opportunity to participate in the legislative process.

Included in this report are summaries of several key topics and/or current legislative proposals Georgia Branch, AGC is engaged in during these early weeks of the 2010 session.

AGC Advocates for Additional Infrastructure Investment in our State Budget as way to help Jump Start Georgia’s Economy: Georgia Branch, AGC is following AGC of America’s lead in advocating for additional infrastructure investment in our state budget as a way to help jump start Georgia’s ailing economy. However, Georgia has limitations on the amount of debt we can carry annually from General Obligation Bond Debt Service. Georgia has a 10% constitutional limit on General Obligation Bond Debt Service and is currently one of only 7-states enjoying an AAA bonding rating. This AAA rating allows us to enjoy . . .

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10th Annual Building Georgia Legislative Reception
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
4:30 - 8:00 pm
Georgia Freight Depot in downtown Atlanta
65 Martin Luther King Drive
Atlanta
View Flyer or Register Online

This event is co-hosted by Georgia Branch, AGC, and the Georgia Chapters of AIA and ACEC.

WHAT: An opportunity for the architectural, contractor and engineering communities to meet with each other and visit with legislative and state officials.

All attendees are invited to arrive prior to the reception to hear nationally recognized Ken Simonson, AGC of America’s Chief Economist, as he discusses how much Georgia can expect to see from the federal infrastructure package and how soon will it arrive? He’ll also share his forecast for 2010 construction materials costs and the future of various construction segments.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
4:30 – 5:00 pm – Remarks from Ken Simonson, AGC of America’s Chief Economist
5:00 – 8:00 pm – Legislative Reception

WHO: General contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and service provider companies, architects, engineers and government and agency representatives, among a host of many other notable dignitaries. We look forward to an informative opening economic session, and welcoming legislators and other state leaders as our guests again this year. Each member of the General Assembly is invited to attend, and you are strongly encouraged to extend a personal invitation to your legislators.

For more information about this event, please contact Denise "DD" Latham, Meeting and Event Planner at 678-298-4118.

AGC Safety Stand Down
Focusing on Electrical Safety
Thursday, February 18, 2010
7:00 - 8:00 am
On Construction Jobsites Across Georgia
More Information & Registration Form

Developed with the full support of
    - OSHA
    - CompTrust AGC MCIC

____________________________

The upcoming AGC Safety Safety Stand Down is the fourth program organized by Georgia Branch, AGC to benefit jobsite personnel working on Chapter member projects.

Since the inception of this program, over 55,000 construction industry jobsite employees in Georgia and 15 other states have participated in at least one Chapter hosted Safety Stand Down. These individuals are better prepared to be safe workers after learning key safety topics that Georgia Branch, AGC provides to project managers and superintendents who are charged with leading Stand Down tool box talks on their jobsites.

Join with many other leading industry firms and make the pledge to stop work on your firm's jobsites for 30 minutes to 1 hour on Thursday, February 18. Regardless of the type of projects you are currently working on, every construction field employee needs to know the basics of electrical safety - if not for their protection on your current jobsite, but for their protection on a future project!

After viewing the information provided in the above link to "More Information," you may call Cherri Watson, Georgia Branch, AGC's Director of Safety, Education and Workforce Development at 678-298-4104 to learn more about this safety training opportunity.

To date the following contractors have committed to train over 8,000 field personnel on 210 jobsites. We applaud their commitment to safety training! Act now and contact Georgia Branch, AGC to pledge your firm's commitment to participate in our Chapter's 4th industry-wide Safety Stand Down! 

Batson-Cook Company	Lusk & Company, Inc.
Capital Construction Company	McCarthy Building Companies
Choate Construction Company - Atlanta	HMMH, JV - Holder Manhattan, Moody, Hunt - Airport Project
Collins & Company	Mulkey Enterprises, Inc.
Comfort Systems USA Southeast, Inc.	New South Construction Company, Inc.
Duffey Southeast, Inc.	Nix-Fowler Constructors, Inc.
Eckardt Electric Company	Parrish Construction Group, Inc.
Gay Construction Company	R. K. Redding Construction, Inc.
Gilbane Building Company	RA-LIN and Associates, Inc.
Heaton Erecting, Inc.	Rogers Construction Company
Holbrook Waterproofing Co. of GA	Saliba Construction Company, Inc.
Humphries & Company, LLC	Tebarco Mechanical Corporation
Kevin Price General Contractors, Inc.	Turner Construction Company
LeMay Electric, Inc.	Young Contracting/SE, Inc.

Metro Atlanta Members First Meeting
Friday, March 12, 2010
Georgia International Convention Center
College Park
Registration Opens at 7:00 am
View Flyer or Register Online

Georgia Branch, AGC is joining with the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA) and a dozen other construction-related trade associations to host a VIP Breakfast with the SkillsUSA State Champions on March 12. We are one of only two general partner associations for CEFGA and believe in throwing our full support behind this event by making it the featured program for our next Members First meeting in Metro Atlanta. The morning’s breakfast is followed by networking and an opportunity to visit the impressive 150,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall featuring this year’s CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships.

An overview of the 2009 CareerExpo exhibit hall. Thousands of industry representatives and young talent visited the event making it the largest event of its kind in the nation. The 2010 CareerExpo is planned for March 11-12 at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park. To learn more about how your firm can be involved and help mold the experience of our state's next generation of workers, please visit www.cefga.org.

 
WHY ATTEND: Baby Boomers make up 50-percent of the construction industry. The 2010 CareerExpo and SkillsUSA State Championships are the largest and most aggressive effort in the entire country to reach out to young people and make sure they know about the great career opportunities in construction. See what your competitors are doing; see what Georgia Branch, AGC is doing, see what the entire industry is doing to reach out to the next generation of skilled labor. Plus, network with more than 500 other industry professionals at one of the state’s largest gatherings.

This annual event is sponsored by private employers, trade associations and government agencies. It attracts thousands of students, teachers, school administrators, parents, industry spectators and volunteers. The purpose of the CareerExpo is to promote careers in construction, transportation and energy in a fun, hands-on and interactive way. The SkillsUSA State Championships are a showcase of the top skilled high school and technical college talent in Georgia.

For more information about Members First meetings, please contact Denise "DD" Latham at 678-298-4118.

The Leaders Course
Begins February 17, 2010
4 Consecutive Wednesdays
12:30 - 4:30 pm
AGC Training Center
View Brochure or Register Online

Leaders are . . .

-- Great communicators, who get more done quicker and with more people on their side
-- Able to attract people to their ideas and build a sense of teamwork
-- Efficient with time, especially in meetings
-- Good with customers because they can think on their feet, gain rapport and build long-term relationships
-- Great coaches. They know how to bring out the best in others, which boosts pride, enthusiasm and productivity.

“Gives you the tools to stand-out!”
       - Keith Johnson, Duffey Southeast, Inc.

“I have taken other courses and never had the results like what I got from Ken's style. You will have numerous exercises that breakdown fear and boost confidence. All of my classmates and I vastly improved!"
      - Michael Monce, The Beck Group

"You will uncover skills you didn't know you had!"
      - Jay Grubbs, RA-LIN & Associates, Inc.

"This class is taught in a very practical and understandable method in lieu of the normal stuffy and technical approach. I picked up some great pointers for my business, personal relationships, and also my family life." 
      - Doug Davidson, New South Construction Company, Inc.

Real-World Experience This is not a typical class where you check your brain at the door when you sit down to take notes. The Leaders Course® is a hands-on training program in human relations and effective speaking that will teach you to become an effective, charismatic leader in any situation. It's about learning-to-do-by-doing, participating, taking risks, and applying what you learn in and outside the classroom. Discover how to mine the gold you already own - your experience, common-sense and personality - to become your "best self" during any leadership role. Use proven techniques to channel the nervous energy of old fears into exceptional presentation skills. In four entertaining, interactive sessions, you'll take home the real-world, practical tools you need to effectively speak, listen, conduct a meeting, manage a team, lead and motivate.

For more information, please contact Jenny Tuggle, Administrative-Services Assistant at 678-298-4112.

OSHA Recordkeeping Seminar
February 10 - Columbus - Register Online

Registration Form

Seminar immediately follows the region's Members First Meeting.

On October 1, 2009, OSHA introduced the National Emphasis Program (NEP) on Recordkeeping to determine accuracy and to assess the injury and illness data recorded by employers. The NEP involves inspecting occupational injury and illness records prepared by businesses and appropriately enforcing regulatory requirements when the employers are found to be under-recording injuries and illnesses. OSHA announced that their inspections will include a records review, employee interview, and a limited safety and health inspection on jobsites with high injury and illness rates. The construction industry is identified as having high injuries and illness rates.

Note: Under the new administration, OSHA enforcement will be escalated and we will see tougher penalties. This free seminar will familiarize you on the recordkeeping requirements, posting and reporting; and how to correctly complete OSHA forms 300, 300A and the 301.

For more information, please contact Jenny Tuggle, Administrative-Services Assistant at 678-298-4112.

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As of February 1, 2010 Employers Must Post Illness/Injury Summaries

Please remember to post your OSHA Form 300 A form – Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses – in your office and on each jobsite from February 1 to April 30, 2010. It must contain a summary of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in 2009.

If you are unsure of how to properly complete these forms, please consider attending the Free OSHA Course outlined above.

For more details, and to download the OSHA 300 A Summary form visit: http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/new-osha300form1-1-04.pdf

Improving Construction Productivity
A complimentary FMI presentation
February 17, 2010
7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Georgia Branch, AGC Training Center
Atlanta
View More Information

LIMITED REGISTRATION - ACT FAST!

Georgia Branch, AGC member firm, Hardhat Technologies, and Dexter + Chaney invite all Georgia Branch, AGC members for a complimentary FMI seminar on Improving Productivity within your Construction Business.

Participants will learn how to identify the controllable variables that impact productivity and gain a solid understanding of the economics behind productivity.

Click on the above link for an outline of the day's program.

For more information, please contact Cheryl McKinnon with Hardhat Technologies at 678-413-2900.

The following courses are available through Georgia Branch, AGC's Education, Safety and Professional Development Program. To view a course description, click on its name. Unless otherwise noted, courses are held in Atlanta at the AGC Training Center at I-75 and Windy Hill Road.

To view a listing of all currently scheduled courses for 2010, please click here.

For more information on any of the courses listed above or if you want to discuss adding a new course to meet your needs, please contact Jenny Tuggle, Administrative-Services Assistant at 678-298-4112.

Technology Roundtable Discussion
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Complimentary for all participants 
1:00 - 2:30 pm 
AGC Training Center
Atlanta
View Flyer or Register Online

Has your firm decided to delay technology upgrades this year? Before you buy new software or hardware to help extend the life of your current system, come learn what others are doing to maximize their technology budget. This meeting also includes time for participants to share helpful tips with common Microsoft applications, and a “show and tell” opportunity for useful, unique websites.

Plan to attend and learn best practices and tips concerning:
-- Should I upgrade to Windows 7 Operating System?
-- Do Mac computers fit into my workplace?
-- Save money by consolidating servers using virtualization
-- Is a “Netbook” computer a good purchase for the jobsite?

For more information on this Technology Roundtable Discussion, please contact Alyson Abercrombie at 678.298.4106.

What's Happening in your "Neck of the Woods?"
Hear from your local Chamber or Economic Development Representatives

February 10 - West Central Georgia/Columbus - Register Online 
                          Free OSHA Recordkeeping Seminar follows lunch program
February 17 - Central Georgia/ Macon - Register Online 
February 18 - Southwest Georgia/Albany - Register Online 

View Flyer for all Meetings

Join fellow members to meet with representatives from your region who are working on behalf of your local business community. What’s on their agenda for 2010? How will it impact your company and future business opportunities? In Valdosta hear from Myrna Ballard with the Chamber of Commerce, in Columbus join Bridgett Siter from Fort Benning’s Public Affairs Office, in Macon learn from Pat Topping of the Macon Economic Development Commission and in Albany meet with Ted Clem of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission.

During trying economic times it is important - now more than ever - to stay connected with other leaders in your local region’s business community. Come early to catch up with friends, longtime business acquaintances and meet new contacts! All chapter members and non-members are welcome to attend.

__________________________

President's Tour Meetings

February 23 - Southeast Georgia/Savannah - Register Online 
February 24 - East Central Georgia/Augusta - Register Online 

More Information and Registration Form

Sponsored by Affinity Service Group

You are invited to join Chapter President Dan Baker on his 2009-2010 President’s Tour across Georgia. The focus of his lunch discussions is very simple; he wants to talk about issues important to you!

President Baker, several of his fellow Board members who work in each region and Chapter staff want to hear what you have to say about the Chapter and how Georgia Branch, AGC can do a better job in being responsive to your needs. Learn more about valuable Chapter services and how they can help you stay on top of the challenges impacting your company.

All Chapter members and non-members working in these Georgia regions are welcome to attend.

For more information about Members First Programs, including the President's Tour Meetings, please contact Denise "DD" Latham, Meeting and Event Planner at 678-298-4118.

South Georgia Construction Workforce Alliance
February 24, 2010
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Valdosta Tech Campus

Southwest Georgia Construction Workforce Alliance
February 25, 2010
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Carlton Construction Career Academy

Central Georgia Construction Workforce Alliance
March 18, 2010
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Lamar Co. High School

Mark your calendar and attend an upcoming Construction Workforce Alliance Meeting offered in a region near you!

If you are interested in workforce development, please join area business leaders, including AGC members, and representatives from regional high schools and vocational programs to discuss how to promote careers in construction to our state's youth! This is an excellent avenue to stay engaged with the students and to help in your community.

To learn more about Workforce Alliances, which are active in Macon, Valdosta and Albany through a partnership between Georgia Branch, AGC and CEFGA, please contact Cherri Watson, AGC's Director of Safety, Education and Workforce Development at 678-298-4104.

Long-time Georgia Branch, AGC member, Anderson Construction Company of Fort Gaines recently won a Build Alabama Award from our sister chapter, Alabama AGC for construction excellence on the renovation of the Lakepoint Resort Lodge in Eufaula, Alabama.

This was a very special project to Anderson Construction Company. In 1959, the Anderson family moved from Kentucky to Fort Gaines, Georgia to construct the Powerhouse Foundations Project for the Walter F. George Lock and Dam, which created Lake Walter F. George, also known as Lake Eufaula. After completion of the Dam, the Andersons decided to stay in the area and started a small General Contracting firm in 1964, the same year they joined Georgia Branch, AGC.

Ironically, without construction of the Dam and formation of Lake Eufaula, Lakepoint State Park would not exist and this Renovation Project would never have occurred. This 45-year family history made Anderson Construction Company approach this hometown project with a tremendous amount of pride, and the company is immensely pleased to have received a Build Alabama Award for it. Anderson Construction Company is proud to have been a part of Lakepoint’s rebirth as a local treasure.

Georgia Branch, AGC congratulates Anderson Construction Company for their award winning project!

Greenprints Conference and Tradeshow
March 1 & 2, 2010
Sheraton Atlanta Hotel

As an Allied Platinum Partner of Greenprints 2010, Georgia Branch, AGC invites you to attend the Greenprints Conference and Tradeshow. The current registration discount will be in effect through February 19, so don’t miss out!

Greenprints 2010 features over 50 experts presenting 24 educational sessions, seminars and workshops. View the curriculum on the Greenprints website.

Networking opportunities will abound throughout the conference, with particular time set aside in the exhibit hall and at the following events: breakfast, breaks, welcome and closing receptions.

Southface has been approved as a USGBC Education Provider. Attending the conference can satisfy all AIA Health Safety Welfare (HSW) and Sustainable Design (SD) continuing education credits required for the calendar year.

For full details, please visit www.greenprints.org.

A central focus of concern for AGC members working on and pursuing water infrastructure projects funded with Recovery Act dollars has been the imposition of broad-based and new “Buy American” requirements pertaining to iron, steel, and manufactured goods included in the Recovery Act. In a letter to the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on November 4, 2009, AGC detailed continuing concerns about the impact of new expanded Buy American requirements on Recovery Act funded projects. As the volume of projects soliciting and awarding bids ramps up in 2010 so have inquiries from members about, or experiencing problems associated with Buy American as it pertains to SRF funded projects. You are strongly encouraged to contact Georgia Branch, AGC if you run into concerns so we can work with AGC of America.

To date AGC has accounted for 25 project specific waivers that have been granted in addition to the 4 national waivers issued by the U.S. EPA. The vast majority of waivers approved thus far have been granted for technologies being incorporated into water treatment facilities. AGC members also need to keep in mind . . .

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