Washington, D.C. - Â鶹´«Ã½ of America (Â鶹´«Ã½) said today that the agreement between the U.S. House of Representatives and the President on an economic stimulus package is a good first step and a sign that a stimulus package can be enacted quickly.
"A strong construction industry requires strong economic growth," said Â鶹´«Ã½ CEO Stephen E. Sandherr. "We believe that the tax cuts and consumer consumption provide part of the answer, but that additional capital investment can also serve as a stimulus."
Sandherr also noted, "Â鶹´«Ã½ members support a sentiment apparent in the U.S. Senate that Congress should also include in the stimulus package important infrastructure projects that would employ workers and build assets. A targeted program of public works investment would round out the bill by providing an opportunity for job growth and providing an incentive for construction contractors to expand capital expenditures."
Options for capital investment could include additional funds for wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, improvements to military bases and military housing, safety improvements for bridges and restoring long-term strength to the highway federal, state and local transportation programs by shoring up the Highway Trust Fund.
Â鶹´«Ã½ of America (Â鶹´«Ã½) is the largest and oldest national construction trade association in the United States. Â鶹´«Ã½ represents more than 32,000 firms, including 7,000 of America?s leading general contractors, and over 11,000 specialty-contracting firms. More than 13,000 service providers and suppliers are associated with Â鶹´«Ã½ through a nationwide network of chapters. Visit the Â鶹´«Ã½ Web site at . Â鶹´«Ã½ members are "Building Your Quality of Life."
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