Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Extended Deadline
President Trump has signed legislation extending the ability to apply for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan 5-weeks to a new deadline of August 8th. There is still $129 billion of PPP loan funding available for small businesses at this time. If you are interested in applying or want to learn more about how to apply for the loan, please visit https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/coronavirus-relief-options/paycheck-protection-program
ABC-NJ President Responds to New Jersey Wind Port Project Announcement
Today Governor Murphy announced New Jersey’s Offshore Wind Port, a $300-400 Million infrastructure project located in Salem County, NJ. In his announcement, Governor Murphy vowed that the project will be constructed with a union workforce. The project is being spearheaded by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, whose CEO, Tim Sullivan, stated that the project “...will be built, every single piece of it, with union labor.”
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ABC-New Jersey Calls on Residents to Reject Project Labor Agreements
The New Jersey Legislature has pushed through new legislation that revis- es the definition of ‘public works projects’ to permit government-mandated PLAs on even more projects. This legislation now sits on Governor Murphy’s desk for him to sign into law. As a result, the majority of construction contractors and workers in New Jersey will be unable to compete for PLA projects, solely based on the fact that their workers are non-unionized, leav- ing close to 85% of New Jersey contractors unable to bid on work.
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ABC’s Virtual Legislative Day 2020 Event
Join ABC’s Government Affairs team for a virtual Legislative Day briefing with a call to action to make ABC’s collective voice heard on Capitol Hill. Along with updates on legislative hot topics, attendees will get an insider’s look at the 2020 elections—potentially the most interesting elections of our time.
The event is on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 from 8am to 10am PDT.
REGISTER ONLINE
Robert Risnychok Associated Builders & Contractors Past Presidents Memorial Scholarship
The Robet Risnychok ABC Past Presidents Memorial Scholarship is now available for 2020 high school seniors and college stduents to apply for.
Download Application (doc)
ABCNJ Registered Apprenticeship Program Moved to Permanent Status
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) NJ Chapters Registered Apprenticeship Program was moved from Provisional status to Permanent status by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Office of Apprenticeship. This is the designation the USDOL gives to programs that have moved out of the probationary ‘startup’ stage. ABC NJ plans to start new sessions in September for all trades.
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2020 ABC-NJ Excellence in Construction Awards
ABC-NJ is pleased to announce the 2020 Excellence in Construction Awards Competition. The competition is an opportunity to have your project(s) join other Merit Shop projects and be recognized by ABC-NJ as the “Best of the Best”. For more information and to apply, download the application (docx).
ABCNJ Offers Members STEP Safety Program
The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Safety Training Evaluation Process (STEP) is a safety benchmarking and improvement tool that dramatically improves safety performance. Participating ABC member firms measure their safety processes and policies on 25 key components through a detailed questionnaire with the goal of implementing or enhancing safety programs that reduce jobsite incidents.
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ABC Member Recognition
Each month, we will be taking a moment to recognize the amazing members of our team here at ABC NJ.
This month we want to thank Diane Blair for all of her hard work, dedication, and never wavering commitment to our organization and mission! Diane has been the ABC NJ Director of Operations for 3 years and keeps our organization running like a well-oiled machine! Beyond her day to day work, Diane manages our training classes and is the staff liaison for our Safety Committee. Most importantly, Diane makes sure all of our members feel at home as a member of ABC NJ. Diane is just as active in the community as she is with ABC NJ. She is a current member of the Mount Laurel Board of Education, currently serving as its President. She is a mother of two amazing sons and now a grandmother to two grandsons! Thank you for all that you do!
ABC NJ Registered Apprenticeship Program Moved to Permanent Status
It’s official! The ABC NJ Registered Apprenticeship Program was moved from our “start-up” Provisional status to Permanent status by the USDOL.
We plan to start new sessions in September for all trades. If you have questions or need additional information about our apprenticeship program please email training@abcnjc.org.
North Golf Outing Postponed
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ABC NJ North Golf Outing has been POSTPONED. The event, originally scheduled for June 25th at Forsgate County Club, will be rescheduled at a later date. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Lynn Bradley at lbradley@abcnjc.org.
Governor Murphy announces multi-stage approach to re-opening
Today, Governor Murphy announced his multi-stage approach, outlining three stages in which businesses and activities can re-open. The state of New Jersey is now considered to be in Phase 1, which permits both essential and “non-essential” construction. The subsequent phases leading to our ‘New normal’ will be implemented based on their respective risk levels and the ability to implement safeguards.
ABC NJ Registered Apprenticeship Program Moved to Permanent Status
It’s official! The ABC NJ Registered Apprenticeship Program was moved from our “start-up” Provisional status to Permanent status by the USDOL.
We plan to start new sessions in September for all trades. If you have questions or need additional information about our apprenticeship program please email training@abcnjc.org.
NJ Labor Department to Begin Making Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Payments
On April 29, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development announced that recipients of federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) to the self-employed, independent contractors and others who are not usually eligible for unemployment insurance benefits will start being notified of their PUA eligibility today, and the Department will begin making payments Friday.
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ABCNJ OFFERS SUPPORT OF GOVERNORS RESTART AND RECOVERY COMMISSION
Mt. Laurel, NJ - On Tuesday, Governor Phil Murphy announced the “Governor’s Restart and Re-covery Commission,” a board containing economists, academics, business leaders, labor leaders, health care experts, and more. This comes after the Governor announced “The Road Back: Restor-ing Economic Health Through Public Health,” his vision to get New Jersey’s economy running in a safe and effective manner. The Associated Builders and Contractors, New Jersey Chapter (ABCNJ) offers their support for the Commission. It is expected that an additional advisory committee will be formed, having larger subcommittees focusing in areas such as infrastructure, professional services, small business, STEM, social services, tourism and entertainment.
Download Full Press Release (PDF)
Sam Fiocchi, ABC NJ's New President
ABC NJ would like to announce Sam Fiocchi as our new President. ABC NJ is very excited to have Sam join our team. Sam was born and raised in Vineland, New Jersey and attended St. Augustine Preparatory School and Widener University. Sam had been a member of the Cumberland County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 2011 to 2013 for one term and NJ General Assemblyman in the 1st Legislative district from 2014-2016. He had been a member of the Vineland Zoning Board of Adjustment from 2009 to 2011 and presently is a member of the City of Vineland Planning Board. He also served on the transition team for Governor Chris Christie in 2010.
During his term in the Assembly, he served on the Human Services, Regulatory Oversight, and Telecommunications and Utilities committees.
Sam ran a family business for over 35 years and understands the needs of merit shop owners. He resides in Vineland. Sam has two children and two grandchildren. Sam is an avid lover of sports and a big Flyers fan.
ABC members are hosting a COVID-19 Safety Stand-down on Thursday, April 23
Join ABC members across the country and stand down for safety! ABC members are hosting a COVID-19 Safety Stand-down on Thursday, April 23. We believe having a stand-down is a vital opportunity for employers and workers in construction to ensure their behavior keeps them safe and slows the spread of the virus.
Find out more at http://ow.ly/Mw9w50zfnOr #COVID19SafetyStandDown #ABCMeritShopProud
ABC Helps to Author Strategy for Safe, Strong Recovery as Part of Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups
ABC's President and CEO Michael D. Bellaman today issued the following statement regarding the Great American Economic Revival Industry Groups:
“ABC is honored to be collaborating with the White House and other industry leaders as a member of the construction industry group for the Great American Economic Revival in order to continue to safely deliver and re-open construction projects that have been temporarily shut down due to COVID-19."
NJ Governor Murphy signs Executive Order on Non-Essential Construction projects
Download Executive Order No. 122 (PDF)
The physical operations of all non-essential construction projects shall cease at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10. “Essential construction projects” include the following:
- Projects necessary for the delivery of health care services, including but not limited to hospitals, other health care facilities, and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
- Transportation projects, including roads, bridges, and mass transit facilities or physical infrastructure, including work done at airports or seaports.
- Utility projects, including those necessary for energy and electricity production and transmission, and any decommissioning of facilities used for electricity generation.
- Residential projects that are exclusively designated as affordable housing.
- Projects involving pre-K-12 schools, including but not limited to projects in Schools Development Authority districts, and projects involving higher education facilities.
- Projects already underway involving individual single-family homes, or an individual apartment unit where an individual already resides, with a construction crew of 5 or fewer individuals. This includes additions to single-family homes such as solar panels.
- Projects already underway involving a residential unit for which a tenant or buyer has already entered into a legally binding agreement to occupy the unit by a certain date, and construction is necessary to ensure the unit’s availability by that date.
- Projects involving facilities at which any one or more of the following takes place: the manufacture, distribution, storage, or servicing of goods or products that are sold by online retail businesses or essential retail businesses, as defined by Executive Order No. 107 (2020) and subsequent Administrative Orders adopted pursuant to that Order.
- Projects involving data centers or facilities that are critical to a business’s ability to function.
- Projects necessary for the delivery of essential social services, including homeless shelters.
- Any project necessary to support law enforcement agencies or first responder units in their response to the COVID-19 emergency.
- Any project that is ordered or contracted for by Federal, State, county, or municipal government, or any project that must be completed to meet a deadline established by the Federal government.
- Any work on a non-essential construction project that is required to physically secure the site of the project, ensure the structural integrity of any buildings on the site, abate any hazards that would exist on the site if the construction were to remain in its current condition, remediate a site, or otherwise ensure that the site and any buildings therein are appropriately protected and safe during the suspension of the project.
- Any emergency repairs necessary to ensure the health and safety of residents.
The Treasury Department has issued further information regarding the Paycheck Protection Program.
The website link is here:
https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/top-priorities/cares-act/assistance-for-small-businesses
PPP Information Sheet
- Applications can be made for businesses starting April 3, 2020
- When calculating the amount of the loan eligible for forgiveness, not more than 25% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs (i.e., rent, utilities and interest on mortgage obligations)
- Interest rate - fixed at .50%
- Loan due date - 2 years
- Interest payments are deferred for 6 months (This implies that interest is not part of the forgiveness and will need to be paid).
- It defines “Payroll Costs consistent with the Act but states that “Payroll Costs” will be capped at $100,000 annualized for each employee (as opposed to just the salary and wages portion of payroll costs being capped)
There is also a Lender Fact Sheet on the site that says: What Underwriting is Required?
- You will need to verify that a borrower was in operation on February 15, 2020.
- You will need to verify that a borrower had employees for whom the borrower paid salaries and payroll taxes.
- You will need to verify the dollar amount of average monthly payroll costs.
Updates and Clarifications to List of Businesses Permitted to Operate
On March 30, Governor Phil Murphy and Superintendent of the State Police Colonel Patrick Callahan announced an Administrative Order amending which businesses are permitted to operate and clarifying the ways in which some businesses may operate in accordance with Executive Order No. 107.
The Administrative Order clarifies that:
- Individual appointments to view real estate with realtors by individuals or families shall be considered essential retail business. Open houses are still considered impermissible gatherings.
- Car dealers may continue to conduct online sales or remote sales that are consistent with current law. In the event of such a sale, the car may be delivered to the purchaser or the purchaser can pick up the car curbside or in the dealership service lane.
- In accordance with the guidance released by the federal Department of Homeland Security, effective Tuesday, March 31, at 8:00 a.m., firearms retailers are permitted to operate – by appointment only and during limited hours – to conduct business which, under law, must be done in person. The NICS background check system will be up and running to process firearms purchases.
- Golf courses are considered recreational and entertainment businesses that must close to the public and to members associated with private golf clubs.
To read the governor’s press release, click here.
NJEDA COVID-19 Grant/Loan Program Eligibility Wizard Now Available
Recently, Governor Phil Murphy announced that the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Board approved a package of emergency assistance programs that will drive $75M of public and private funding to help small businesses and non-profits impacted by the COVID-19 Outbreak.
To help small businesses and nonprofits understand which programs they may qualify for, the NJEDA launched a new online “Eligibility Wizard”. By guiding users through a series of 25 easy-to-answer questions, the Eligibility Wizard provides information on which emergency assistance programs a business may want to consider for its specific needs and are encouraged to use this tool to help prepare in anticipation of emergency assistance programs officially launching.
The Eligibility Wizard can be found through the State’s COVID-19 Business Information Hub: https://cv.business.nj.gov or https://assistance.business.nj.gov/.
Easy to Understand CARES Act Information for Business and Nonprofits
Please see the below links for several helpful resource guides that businesses and nonprofits can use to understand the CARES Act.