MESSAGE FROM THE 2023 CHAIR Letter from the 2023 Chair

As my term as the Chair of the Board of Directors for Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) comes to a close, I am honored to reflect on the incredible journey we've undertaken together during the past year. Serving as your Chair in 2022 and 2023 has been both a privilege and a tremendous learning experience, and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved as an organization.

In 1973, a vision for an organization that would champion the values of merit shop construction took root in Central Florida. ABC and its members set out to help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of our community.

Over the past five decades, ABC has grown and evolved, becoming a beacon of excellence for the construction industry. This year, as we celebrated our 50th anniversary, we honored the legacy of our founders and the countless contributions of our members who have shaped ABC into the powerhouse it is today. Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, we remain committed to advancing the merit shop philosophy, advocating for our members, keeping safety as a top priority, training our workforce, and providing the resources and support needed to ensure the continued success of our members.

As we turn the page to a new chapter, I am confident in the continued success of ABC Central Florida under the capable leadership of Julie Holmes, 2024 Chair and the Board of Directors. The 50th anniversary has set a strong foundation for the future, and I am excited to witness the continued growth and impact of our organization.

I extend my deepest gratitude to the members, Michele Daugherty, the staff, and fellow Board members for their support and dedication during my tenure as Chair. It has been an incredible honor to serve you, and I look forward to witnessing the continued success and growth of ABC.

Thank you for your commitment to excellence, innovation, and the merit shop philosophy.

Chris Evans

Chair of the Board of Directors Associated Builders and Contractors Central Florida Chapter

2023: Florida RANKED NO. 1 in the Construction Business Climate State thanks to ABC

Every state received a score in each of the following seven categories measuring critical laws, programs, policies, and statistics impacting the merit shop contracting community. An overall comparative ranking was then assigned to each state by considering all measured categories, with particular emphasis given to the first three criteria of project labor agreements, prevailing wage, and Right to Work state laws and/or executive orders.

Ties in combined score were broken by performance on ABC core issues and a consideration of the other graded criteria.

• Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)

• Prevailing Wage

• Right to Work

• Public-Private Partnerships (P3s)

• Workforce Development

• Education

• Job Growth Rate

Florida's commitment to fostering a thriving construction business environment is evident in its top ranking across multiple critical categories.

Data Source: meritshopscorecard.org

OVERALL RANK 1