PHOENIX, AZ — The Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA), a trade association for contractors in Arizona, hosted a series of events featuring Congressman Juan Ciscomani, ABA President Kim Davids, and ABA members to tackle pressing issues impacting the construction industry in Arizona.
The day began with a tour of JB Steel’s fabrication shop, where Ciscomani engaged with ABA leaders and spoke directly with JB Steel's employee owners to discuss the impact of Project Labor Agreements on federally funded projects. Following the tour, the ABA office served as the venue for a roundtable discussion on recently passed legislation, gathering diverse stakeholders from Arizona’s sixth congressional district to explore and discuss industry benefits and opportunities.
"The ABA is dedicated to enhancing educational pathways and pushing for policies that benefit our skilled workforce,” Davids said. "Our meeting with Representative Ciscomani brought the Arizona construction community together to discuss workforce shortages and regulatory hurdles that are vital for our industry's future and stability.”
The day concluded with an ABA Member Dinner in Tucson, Arizona, where Ciscomani was honored with the Eagle for Enterprise Award for his support of the construction industry. During the events, Ciscomani highlighted his legislative efforts to address workforce shortages and reduce regulatory burdens, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with industry leaders. Earlier this year, Ciscomani introduced H.R. 1055, the Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural and Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools Act, which would create a grant program for community and trade schools to expand construction training, helping students access good-paying jobs, addressing the skilled worker shortage, and lowering housing costs by enabling more homebuilding. Additionally, he also introduced H.R. 1458, the Veterans Education and Technical Skills Opportunity Act this year, which would extend educational benefits under the post-9/11 GI Bill to include both in-person and partially online versions of skilled trade training programs.
“Arizona’s builders and skilled tradesmen are building the American Dream for families across our district, our state, and our country,” Ciscomani said. “From manufacturing to construction, these good-paying, hands-on jobs create the infrastructure that drives our economy and strengthens our communities. I’m proud to represent the hardworking men and women whose expertise and dedication touch every part of our daily lives, and to advocate in Congress for policies that put safety and the American worker first.”
