With midterm elections around the corner, how can I be sure those elected are friendly to the construction industry?

One of the core member services of The Builders’ Association is to advocate on behalf of commercial construction firms. In 2020, for example, Allen Dillingham, The Builders’ government relations director, worked with decision-makers and industry leaders locally and nationally to ensure construction was considered an essential industry and could keep working during early pandemic lockdowns.

Locally, the Builders’ Association Political Action Committee (BAPAC) supports candidates who are knowledgeable about the construction industry and share our views on legislation that may be critical to the industry and our members. Your company is often directly affected by decisions made by state and local elected officials, which is why it is critically important to have input into the decision-making processes at all levels of government. Construction firms are encouraged to get involved and contact elected officials directly when important issues surface. Builders’ often provides tools and resources to make it easier to do this outreach for key issues.

On May 13, you can join me for our Baseball for BAPAC fundraiser at the Springfield Cardinals game to support the work of BAPAC while networking with industry colleagues.

Visit www.buildersassociation.com for more about the advocacy work of Builders’ and register for the event or contact me directly to learn how you can get involved with the Southern Missouri region’s BAPAC efforts.

Meet the Expert

Miles Boyer is the Springfield Office Manager for The Builders' Association, which is a nonprofit commercial construction trade association serving hundreds of member companies that employ over 25,000 people in mid-America. Founded in 1887, The Builders’ Association has advanced the construction industry by delivering safety, craft and management training; employment, labor and government relations; and construction plans and technology tools.

Four service and training centers operate in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield to serve both union and nonunion member companies and to aid collaboration by connecting passionate people and businesses, with a vision of improving lives through construction.

This is accomplished in several ways, including:

• 3,000+ safety trainees annually. 

• Community outreach. 

• 1,500+ apprentices in cosponsored programs. 

• Delivery of business education and professional development. 

• Negotiation of 27 collective bargaining agreements. 

• Coadministration and trustee-appointment authority for 28 fringe funds with over $3 billion in assets. 

• Government relations services at the local and state level, as well as federally through AGC Kansas City, a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and the association’s sister organization.