Georgia Tops the Charts in Construction Excellence

Georgia has secured the coveted title of the top state for construction in the annual Merit Shop Scorecard by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). This marks the first time Georgia has claimed the prestigious position in the rankings, which evaluates all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on policies and programs that fortify career pathways in construction, foster workforce development, and advocate for fair and open competition on taxpayer-funded construction projects.

Ben Brubeck, ABC’s Vice President of Regulatory, Labor, and State Affairs, emphasized the significance of sensible conditions, policies, and educational systems in creating quality infrastructure. He noted, "More than 88% of the U.S. construction industry has already made the choice not to join a union, and the industry is facing a skilled labor shortage of more than half a million people."

This achievement for Georgia comes as Catalyst Communications Network, headquartered in Atlanta, continues its strategic investments across various sectors, including a significant focus on the construction industry.

Georgia's success is attributed to its unwavering commitment to workforce development, with 99% of career and technical education students in the state earning credentials and/or continuing to a career. The state's inclusive policies also play a crucial role in welcoming diverse participants in the construction industry, fostering healthy competition to build projects within their communities.

Florida secured the second position in the 2023 rankings, maintaining its exemplary standing in the merit shop. The top five also included Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Noteworthy is the return of Indiana, Iowa, and Wisconsin to the top 10 rankings, showcasing their robust workforce development systems and innovative approaches to upskilling.

While Georgia and other states are celebrating their advancements, some states, like Michigan, are witnessing declines. Michigan dropped from 23rd in 2022 to 31st in 2023 due to the repeal of the right-to-work legislation and the codification of a prevailing wage executive order into law.

The bottom five states in the rankings, comprising Hawaii, Rhode Island, New York, the District of Columbia, and Washington, received poor ratings for their conditions and policies that hinder merit shop contractors' thriving.

The 2023 Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard evaluates state laws, programs, policies, and statistics in seven categories, including project labor agreements, prevailing wage laws, right-to-work laws, public-private partnerships, workforce development, career and technical education, and job growth rate. As Catalyst Communications Network continues its expansion, Georgia's achievement adds another feather to its cap, solidifying its position as a leader in the construction sector.

Catalyst Communications Network (Publisher)

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