Builders name leader for tough times
The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange has turned to a formidable fundraiser and lobbyist to guide the group through the housing downturn while increasing its membership and working to scale back slow-growth initiatives.

Construction company wins awards
ACI ConstRUCTION Co. received two awards from Associated Builders and Contractors, Central Ohio Chapter, at an awards banquet in Columbus. ACI won the Pyramid Award, Commercial Category, for the LaRiche Toyota Subaru dealership expansion in Findlay. It also won the Pyramid Award, Commercial Category, for the Delaware County Commissioners Senior Service Campus in Delaware, Ohio.

Skanska USA wins merit award
Skanska USA Building Inc.?s San Antonio office has been honored for its work on the Bell County Jail project by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of South Texas.

Rockford builders sentenced for breaking and entering crimes
Two Rockford area contractors were sentenced recently for their roles in several breaking and entering burglaries.

Builders Sue Over Subdivision Regulations
A state building group sued Flathead County over subdivision regulations last week, just as commissioners were nearing the final steps of a year-and-a-half long process to revise the rules. The Montana Building and Industry Association filed the lawsuit Monday in Flathead County District Court, describing the county?s subdivision regulations as ?illegal? and ?the most burdensome and costly in ...

Builder Kimball Hill to shut down
The crash of the housing market will mean the end of operations for Kimball Hill Inc., formerly one of the largest builders in the Chicago suburbs.

Builders: Post Falls plan invalid
POST FALLS -- The building group opposing proposed Post Falls impact fee hikes claims the city's capital improvements plan does not comply with Idaho law and is therefore invalid.

Moss & Associates Wins Four Prestigious Awards from Associated Builders and Contractors of South Florida
Three high-profile projects built by Moss & Associates, one of Florida?s largest construction management companies, have received 2008 Excellence in Construction Awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Florida East Coast Chapter. ABC also presented Moss with its Platinum Safety Training and Evaluation Process Award, recognizing exceptional safety practices. Honored with Eagle ...

Developers speak out against proposed Hoke subdivision rules
What happened: Five local home developers spoke out against the county?s proposed revised subdivision ordinance. The developers said the revised ordinance was too restrictive and would increase costs for builders and home buyers.

Hungry builders, dropping prices are driving down construction costs
Apparently, it?s a good time to build something.

Business briefs
Associated Builders and Contractors, Prime Outlets, Menno Haven, Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA, Montessori Academy

Rochester Millwork makes special cabinets
Rochester Custom Millwork makes cabinets for kitchen designers, store fixtures for Wegmans Food Markets, reception desks for hotels and universities, and a bevy of other wood products for many Rochester-area contractors and builders.

Wathen elected ABC chairman
Ryan Wathen was elected chairman of the board of directors for the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas. The election took place ABC?s annual meeting.

Robert Reagan of Starr Electric honored
Robert Reagan of Starr Electric was named Craft Professional of the Year by the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas.

AmLand Development fined, loses contracting license
The State Contractors Board recently revoked the license of AmLand Development, a Las Vegas high-rise and home builder. The company has thousands in unpaid bills related to its residential developments, Prima and Vila Di Lago, at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson.

Tax deferments on incomplete condominiums could hit in 2010
If proposed tax deferments on incomplete projects set to benefit condo developers and contractors are approved, they likely wouldn?t take effect until 2010, according to a tax expert lobbying for the change.

Struggling economy leads to surge in lien filings
As the real estate market struggles in a faltering economy, more contractors and subcontractors are finding themselves in David Taylor?s situation.

Constructors Grapple With Resistance to Change in Field
Constructors, some of whom have been using building information models to help them build faster, better and for less money for several years, are still grappling with many of the same BIM challenges facing designers: software immaturity, hardware costs, training, reworking of traditional relationships and habits, and especially interoperability. Though contractors don?t have the same concerns ...

Home contractors do what they must to stay afloat
During the housing construction frenzy, Mike O'Leary's drywall company wouldn't bother with remodeling work. There was too much money to be made doing new construction.

Contractors are using more energy-saving materials, techniques
The developer converting a historic bank building into a hotel in downtown Providence installs thermostats in every room to detect the presence of people and raise and lower the heat in response.