Blog
Why AGC?
In 1953, a small group of regional contractors spearheaded efforts to officially charter the AGC of Western Kentucky. This happened on June 15, 1953 - just over seventy years ago. Even though they were local competitors each understood the benefits of working together to better the construction industry. They were correct! Today the AGC has grown to 400 members.
In 1953, a small group of regional contractors spearheaded efforts to officially charter the AGC of Western Kentucky. This happened on June 15, 1953 - just over seventy years ago. Even though they were local competitors each understood the benefits of working together to better the construction industry. They were correct! Today the AGC has grown to 400 members. The following are some of the current benefits one can receive as a member of the association:
Advocacy - a collective voice that can influence legislation at the state and national level. With our new dual-chapter AGC Political Action Committee (PAC) we can now provide monetary support for legislation candidates that will work to advance our industry needs and protect small businesses from government overreach. You can get involved by contributiing monetarily to the dual-chapter AGC state PAC or the National AGC PAC. Some recent AGC legislative wins include keeping construction work essential during the COVID pandemic, PPP loans to support businesses, stopping OSHA from making the COVID illness a recordable illness, reducing the KY state income tax from 5% to 4% spurring economic development, etc. This is why membership is important to you.
Workforce Development - having the benefit of a dedicated chapter workforce coordinator. Joel Crider is working to promote careers in construction in the K-12 grades, connecting potential employees to those members seeking to hire, and developing a future workforce through the regional high school tech center programs. Many AGC member firms do not have the time or resources to put towards these efforts. Collectively, through your membership, AGC can assist with meeting current workforce needs.
Safety Services - a full-time safety professional is available to each AGC member. Another valuable and cost-effective resource for members to utilize. For those members who are not capable of having a safety professional on staff, Scott Thomas, our AGC Safety Director, can fill the void. Providing required employee safety training as mandated by OSHA (it's the law!), keeping your jobsites or shops in compliance, assisting with OSHA inspections, etc., is the expertise Scott can provide you. Among all the trade associations in Kentucky, our chapter is the only one with a full-time safety director on staff available just for you! What a great benefit!
Technology - providing critical information and communication through our revised AGC website. Christy Dawes, Membership Director, keeps members informed about upcoming projects and timely bid tabulation information from recent lettings. Awareness and easy registration for upcoming events, safety training, ongoing required CEU trainings for electrical, plumbing, and HVAC state license holders, National AGC educational training offerings, etc., can be easily found on our chapter's website.
And so much more. Including the largest construction self-insured workers compensation fund in the state. The AGC/SIF Work Comp Fund has returned premium dollars to participating members in the amount of $278 million over the past 28 consecutive years. $1.6 million was returned to our chapter members in 2023. Supporting Murray State's Construction Management program through scholarships for students. Over $50,000 was contributed by local AGC members in 2004 to endow an ongoing scholarship for one or more students each year. Over twenty-five students have received AGC scholarships since 2004. The list of benefits can go on and on.
I'm thankful for the vision of the original contractors for establishing an AGC chapter in Western Kentucky some seventy years ago. Aren't you?
Chris Neison
Executive VP
AGC of Western Kentucky