Southeast Michigan Contractors Issue 1 2022 9 ABC SEMI 2021 Commercial Construction. “Our clients are locating franchises to meet the new demand that these communities are creating, and this has spurned additional development and infrastructure projects throughout communities where new housing is in high demand. We have been busy with projects this year and expect to remain so for most of 2022.” Along with increased interest in construction across southeast Michigan, interest in membership at ABC SEMI chapter has remained constant. We had 495 participants at ABC chapter events (not including board meetings/picnic or graduation) and were able to hit our goal of 90% retention and attract 30 new members for 2021. “ABC SEMI has done a good job in consistently growing our membership—we are the only chapter to have consistent growth over the past 5 years—but we are just getting started,” said Keith Ledbetter, President/CEO of ABC SEMI. “With the information and recent research we have conducted on our current membership, we look to create a cohesive, sustainable, and ambitious marketing plan for our current and prospective members for 2022 and beyond.” In addition, ABC SEMI was honored during this year’s ABC National ONE Convention in St. Louis with the Charles A. Mullan Award for Superior Membership Growth. This award is given each year to the top performing chapter in the nation. ABC SEMI also received awards for: Outstanding Membership Retention, Membership Growth, Membership Goal Achievement, and Superior Contractor Percentage. Politics took center stage in Michigan in 2021 with executive orders and arbitrary changes made without the legislature or voters’ approval. Despite nonunion companies carrying the load when it comes to projects being done in Michigan, ABC State Chairman and ABC SEMI Board Member, Robert Clancy was disappointed to see the recent political maneuvering of Governor Gretchen Whitmer in ignoring the will of the people and reinstating Prevailing Wage in Michigan. He is fearful that this is just the beginning of what is to be expected of Government from both the State as well as Federal level in putting merit-shop companies like the ones at ABC SEMI at a disadvantage when it comes to bidding for work. “The message from the Governor is clear. Despite merit shop companies handling 80% of construction projects in Michigan, our voice, and that of the people, is to be ignored to reward her supporters,” said Clancy. “We have never asked for special treatment or set-asides to be given to our members, just the ability to compete on a fair and level playing field where our work and reputation stands for itself. Like any job being bid privately, a state level project should be awarded based on the ability to do the work and best bid, not prices inflated to line the pockets of one’s political cronies.” ABC Chapter Chairman DrewMaltese, president of DJ Maltese Construction receives ABC BeamClub Award for member recruitment. Independence Commercial Construction, Inc. continues to stay busy in southeast Michigan’s bustling construction climate. DJ Maltese Construction breaks ground on Ariel Assets, helicopter facility at Canton’s Mettetal Airport. continues on page 11 >>
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