When Your Project is Put on Trial: What to Expect for the Contractor
By: R. Thomas Dunn, Esq. and Matthew R. O’Connor, Esq. As contractors, you may never imagine you could end up someday testifying under oath about the tenth email you sent on a random Tuesday years ago talking about an RFI, soil compaction, or who said what in a meeting with the project owner. Yet, that’s the reality of what happens when a dispute exits the worksite and enters a courtroom. Recently, the authors tried a multi-day arbitration involving millions in claims. There were twenty witnesses ranging
From the Field to the Front Office: Mentorship That Builds Confidence
From the Field to the Front Office: Mentorship That Builds Confidence In an industry where representation and inclusion are still evolving, the BuildHer Mentorship Program, launched by Building Women in Construction (BWiC), is more than a professional development initiative-- it’s a movement. BuildHer is redefining leadership by empowering women in commercial construction through meaningful communication, shared learning, and connection across generations.Building Confidence and Culture At its core,
Building Belonging: Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Through Member Collaboration
By: Samilys Rodriguez, Director of Career Development & Industry Inclusion, AGC MA In the spring and summer of 2025, AGC MA partnered with Dr. Yaro Fong-Olivares, Ph.D., of Bentley University’s Gloria Cordes Center for Women in Business, to lead a dynamic series of dialogues exploring how recent political and social developments impact diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the construction industry. These sessions brought together a broad coalition of AGC MA members—contractors, owners, and
The new cyber threat landscape for construction firms
By Emily Selck - The Baldwin Group (Sr. Director, National Cyber Practice Leader) & Rossana Estrada the Baldwin group (Sr. Content Manager) The rapid expansion of AI, the growth of megawatt-scale data centers, and the spread of connected technology across daily life have reshaped the cyber landscape. Cybercrime is now more prevalent, more sophisticated, and more disruptive, with attackers quickly adapting to bypass once-reliable safeguards. Combined with increasingly complex regulations, today’s
Safety Committee’s Implementation from the SAFE-T Survey
In the construction industry, safety is often measured in numbers such as incident rates, lost time, and reported near misses. However, a true safety culture runs much deeper than metrics. It should live in everyday conversations, behaviors, and decisions. This is how a true culture of safety is built. At Barr & Barr, our Safety Committee includes every level of the company—from C-suite members to field staff and everyone in between. This ensures our safety program is more than compliance-driven; it
Building Smarter: Construction & Demolition Waste Management in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the construction industry has made steady progress in diverting materials from landfills, but there is still a long way to go. Every project — regardless of scope, size and program — generates waste that has both environmental and financial impacts. Effective construction & demolition (C&D) waste management is not only a regulatory requirement but also a way to reduce project costs, improve efficiency, and demonstrate environmental leadership in the industry. This article intends to
Spring 2025 Government Affairs Bulletin
Spring 2025Government Affairs Bulletin AGC MA is your advocate on Beacon Hill. Last session we were the voice of the industry on legislation and regulations Highlights include: Tracking over 150 billsBuilding consensus on key issues like Project Labor Agreements, MBTA Communities Act, Responsible Contractor Language, and Wage TheftTestifying on 11 bills including the expansion of PLAs, expediting payment of change orders in public construction, facilitating diverse participation in the industry, wage
Build To Rent Projects Answer Housing Shortage, But Factor in the Risks
Build To Rent Projects Answer Housing Shortage, But Factor in the Risks By Michele L. Norton, AAI, CRIS Hub International There’s a national shortage in housing availability in the U.S. as soaring prices during a time of inflation and limited inventory keep the squeeze on renters and buyers alike. It’s particularly significant for single family homes. The cost/supply disparity has made Greater Boston one of the nation’s most expensive metropolitan areas, as the median single-family home price
White Paper: Enhancing Equity and Safety in Construction Workplaces
White Paper: Enhancing Equity and Safety in Construction Workplaces Executive Summary Using two years of data from the SAFE-T Survey, we have a clearer picture of the following: Over 90% of tradespeople clearly understand management’s commitment to safety from the office to field leadershipLess than 40% of tradespeople are getting daily instructions with a clear focus on safety1/3 of workers are taking risks to do their jobsAbout 75% of workers almost always feel a sense of belonging and usually
Evolving with the DEI Landscape: What Contractors Need to Know
Federal enforcement priorities are shifting—and construction companies, especially those working on public or institutional projects, are feeling the pressure. Whether you’re reviewing your hiring practices or responding to an owner’s request for diverse subcontractors, the rules around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are changing quickly. This guidance offers practical takeaways for contractors navigating today’s evolving legal and political environment. 1. Don’t Abandon DEI—but Do Proceed
