The Biggest Long-term Investment in Union Trades
Federal investments in infrastructure projects do more than make headlines; they create tangible benefits for union contractors and the communities they build. These initiatives lead to job creation, strengthen apprenticeship programs, promote a positive workplace culture, create safer job sites, and support local economies. Moreover, these infrastructure investments represent the most significant opportunity in decades to drive economic growth and secure a prosperous and stable future for unionized contractors and their businesses.
Where the dollars go in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:
- $550 billion in new federal investments in U.S. infrastructure.
- $110 billion for roads, bridges, and major projects.
- $40 billion for bridge repair, replacement, and rehabilitation.
- $16 billion for major projects too large or complex for traditional funding programs.
- $11 billion for transportation safety programs, including $5 billion for the Safe Streets for All program.
- $39 billion to modernize public transit.
- $66 billion for rail, including $22 billion for Amtrak, $24 billion for Northeast Corridor modernization, and $12 billion for intercity rail service partnerships.
- $7.5 billion to build a national network of electric vehicle chargers.
- $5 billion for zero-emission and clean buses, and $2.5 billion for ferries.
- $17 billion for port infrastructure and $25 billion for airports.
- Over $50 billion to make communities more resilient to climate change and cyber-attacks.
- $55 billion for clean drinking water, including replacing lead pipes and removing PFAS.
- $65 billion for high-speed internet, including measures to lower costs and increase competition.
- $21 billion for environmental remediation, including cleaning up Superfund and brownfield sites.
The recently announced infrastructure projects represent a significant opportunity for signatory contractors. These projects, supported by federal government investments, bring substantial economic resources that will not only modernize infrastructure but also increase the need for skilled talent, like union carpenters, while strengthening the local workforce. For businesses, this translates into several potential benefits that could lead to increased business volume and economic growth.
Through these federal investments in infrastructure and apprenticeship programs, the government is signaling a long-term commitment to the construction industry. For businesses that employ union carpenters, for example, this means a steady demand for their services in the years to come. These investments create a robust market where your company can grow while building a skilled workforce necessary to meet future challenges.
Overall, these infrastructure projects represent a unique opportunity for contractors employing union carpenters to secure increased business volume, enhance competitiveness, and contribute to community development. This is a win-win situation that provides a foundation for sustainable growth in a time of significant economic investment in public infrastructure. It is an exceptional moment in the construction industry, and signatory contractors should do everything possible to capitalize on it.