January 18, 2012, South Portland, Maine-Contractors from around the state gathered at the Wyndham Hotel in South Portland this month to celebrate achievements in 2011 and look ahead to 2012. The 61st annual meeting of the Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine) attracted over 250 members.
2011 President Ken Grondin handed the torch to incoming President Dave Nazaroff. Dave is a former naval officer, outdoorsman and builder. He is the President of Rockport based building contractor The Penobscot Company.
In his address to the membership he challenged them to be involved, work harder and vowed to set the bar higher for the association’s performance. He also expressed the need to invest in our state’s infrastructure, “When our contractors have work, those suppliers, insurance providers and other who are members of AGC also do well,” Dave stated.
2012 President Dave Nazaroff delivers his message to 250 contractors from around Maine
AGC America Chief Economist Ken Simonson presented the latest economic forecast at the meeting. Contractors learned the construction employment in Maine is still performing at the 1998 levels. Maine had small growth in 2010 but still had a 2% loss over a twelve-month period by 2011.
Dave explained recently the creation of jobs must continue to be a priority of the Chapter, “our bonding capacity as a state is greater than what we have on the books now,” and he advocated more bonding because, “it will create jobs, keep construction companies vital, and make needed improvements to roads, bridges, water and sewer plants and schools.
AGC Maine also confirmed the slate of officers for 2012 including: Senior Vice President Beth Sturtevant of CCB Inc., Treasurer Tim Ouellete of CPM, Vice President Charlie Cianchette of Cianbro.
Dave feels strongly that after 41 years in the construction business this is the worst recession he has seen including his first years in business. “In one of the toughest periods around 1974 for the industry I continued my business while working other jobs to make ends meet. One of those was at a local service station and at the end of the day other contactors would stop by and chat. The running joke was that I was the only contractor in the area getting paid,” Dave recalled, “Now is the time to kick start the economy and put people back to work doing what they do best and we can do that by Making it Happen…Together!”
Chartered in 1951, the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Maine is the state’s largest construction industry trade association. The Association maintains an office in Augusta and has over 200 members statewide. Member companies include general contractors, sub-contractors, and service and supply providers. For more information visit www.agcmaine.org