AGC calls on Congress to commit to national infrastructure investment.

Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) this week called for more strategic federal investment in the nation's transportation infrastructure saying that, without it, the country could lose its economic edge.

Speaking after the AGC's executive board adopted a set of legislative priorities for the 110th Congress, which convened on January 4, Sandherr said, "Today we renewed our commitment to promote strategic federal investment in transportation infrastructure, environmental infrastructure and improve the energy efficiency and utility of existing building infrastructure.

"Our new priorities also stress the necessity of a favorable regulatory and tax climate to stimulate domestic business growth and international competitiveness.

"We believe that the U.S. must improve its basic infrastructure to ensure our economic edge."

With more than seven million employees nationwide, construction is a major US employer. Roughly $1.2 trillion of construction was put in place in the last 12 months and the industry purchased nearly $600 billion of equipment and materials from U.S. manufacturers.

Pointing out that a healthy construction industry is vital to a thriving U.S. economy, Sandherr pointed out that, during the last three years, the sector had coped with annual double digit cost increases impacting critical construction components from cement and steel to gypsum and copper. The global demand for these products has caused this price surge.

He added, "There has been a steep acceleration of critical infrastructure investment in the Middle East, Asia and India.

"The economic growth in these countries is being perpetuated by massive investments in ports, roads, rail and other forms of critical economic infrastructure. Therefore, the U.S. must do more to keep our infrastructure from falling behind."

While these infrastructure investments will help keep the country competitive, Sandherr said Congress must address efforts to improve the U.S. immigration process and invest in the U.S. workforce.