April 1, 2010





Thank you to
corporate sponsor
Gene Lilly Surety Bonds!

Only 10 Days Left to Register-2010 Update Training for Field Personnel

2010 Update Training for Field Personnel is set to be offered in the afternoon in Lincoln on April 13th and in Omaha the afternoon of April 14th.  The purpose of the training is to provide an update of rules and regulations; identify new areas of accountability/enforcement; and provide overview of “best practices” to lessen the problems in the topic areas of environmental issues, OSHA and building to LEED requirement.   THIS TRAINING IS FREE TO MEMBERS, YOU JUST NEED TO REGISTER by April 10th.  Click here for details.

 

MCA-NECA-AGC Joint Member Breakfast

The MCA-NECA-AGC Joint Member Breakfast is scheduled for April 22nd @ 7:30am in Omaha.  Click here for details.

 
LEED Green Associate Test Prep Course

The LEED Green Associate Test Prep Course- starts again April 7, 14, 21, 28. This is an online course.  Click here for more details and for registration.

 

Building Chapter News

The April issue should be arriving now at the office and is available online by clicking here.  This issue includes the following articles:

  • Prepare Your Business for the Unexpected
  • Your Risk; Your Choice-Workers’ Compensation Modification Factor
  • New Rules for Construction Site Stormwater Discharges
  • Why Employee Involvement May Not be Enough
  • Back to the Basics:  Bonding in a Hard Economy

Just to see if anyone is reading this; let’s have a contest!  The first NON-Board Member to email Jean with the names of the two new 2010 board members will receive a gift card for free lunch at the place of your choice.

 
AGC Student Chapter Officer Teams

The AGC Student Chapter Officer Teams attending the Spring Seminar earlier in March:

AGC 
Iowa Western Community College
Lee Volkens, President
Dave Hazelwood & John Reddish, Advisors

AGC
Southeast Community College - Milford
Brad Furby, President
Karen Koch, Advisor

AGC
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Dan Boshult, President
Stu Bernstein, Advisor

AGC
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Matt Ramm, President
Bruce Fischer, Advisor

AGC
University of Nebraska - Kearney
Sean Kerby, President
Nate Barry, Advisor

 
Are You Taking Advantage of the Free AGCA Newsletters?

Make sure you and your associates are aware of this true membership value from AGCA that you will not find anywhere else.  Click here to view what is available and how to subscribe to the electronic newsletters of your choice. 

 
Resources for AGC Members on Hire Act Tax Incentives

The President signed into law last week the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act that provides incentives for businesses to hire new employees and invest in property and equipment. The HIRE Act includes two new temporary incentives for employers to expand their workforce:

1. FICA Exemption: Employers will be exempt from paying their share of Social Security taxes on wages paid to qualified unemployed workers who begin employment with the employer after February 3, 2010 and before January 1, 2011.

2. Retention Tax Credit: Employers will receive a general business credit of $1,000 for each qualifying employee that satisfied a minimum employment period.

AGC of America has received a number of questions from AGC members regarding the new law and whether certain employees would qualify them for the incentives. Members of the AGC Tax and Fiscal Affairs Committee have provided us with the attached resources that may be helpful should you receive any questions. Currently, the IRS is preparing the official guidance and forms for taxpayers to use to claim these incentives.

For more information, please contact Karen Lapsevic at (202) 547-5433 or lapsevick@agc.org.

Attachment 1: Hire Act.pdf

Attachment 2: CBIZ MHM Tax Alert HIRE Act 3.17.10.pdf

Attachment 3: New Federal Tax Hiring Incentives for Employers.pdf
The GM Rebate for AGC Members has been Renewed for 2010

The GM Rebate for AGC Members has been renewed for 2010. Click here for details.

 
New Product from FMI

Benchmark construction pay levels with FMI’s new product “Compensation Interactive”.  As an introductory offer, AGC members, who sign up before June 30, 2010, will receive a free six-month trial membership.  Click here for details.

 
Update on Future Training Curriculum from AGCA

BIM
The third and forth courses in the six-part curriculum should be complete by the end of 2010.  The two courses under development at this time are “Unit 3-BIM Legal Issues and Risk Management” and “Unit 4-BIM Case Studies and Lessons Learned”.  As the course curriculum becomes available the Building Chapter will offer them in the state.
LEAN CONSTRUCTION
Three components of the Lean construction forum work have been completed including research related to Lean construction, curriculum design and credentialing. 

A “Lean 101” course is being developed that will be available on-line for self paced learning.  Ten units have been identified for the Lean construction curriculum including:

  • Variation in Production Systems
  • Pull in Production Systems
  • Streamlining the Construction Gemba
  • Problem Solving Principles and Tools
  • Production Management
  • Lean Work Structuring
  • Lean Supply chain
  • Lean Assembly
  • Management by Values
  • Integrated Project Delivery

Each unit will be approximately 16 hours in length and include 1-3 units.  The first part of the Lean curriculum is scheduled for delivery in August 2011. 

For more information go to www.agcleanforum.org

 
Annual Spring Golf Outing

Register your team or yourself NOW for the May 17th event at Iron Horse Golf Course in Ashland. Click here for details and registration form.

 
If there are other people in your company who would like to receive this E-Update, please send their e-mail address to agcnebuilders@windstream.net or call (402) 438-0400.