How Will Construction Benefit from the American Jobs Plan?

The American Jobs Plan is a $2.3 trillion piece of legislation designed to improve America’s physical and digital infrastructure while enhancing advanced manufacturing capabilities. Atlanta construction companies stand to benefit from the proposed investment through targeted projects such as new roads and bridges, airports, rail, seaports, and even additional workforce training. The bill is far from finalized as of this writing and there are still tricky issues to consider, like the impact of the proposed  Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. While it is almost certain the legislation will undergo several changes as it is debated in Congress, it does provide important insight into the Biden Administration’s priorities. To help clients, prospects and others understand the impact on the construction industry, Wilson Lewis has provided a summary of key details below.

Construction Industry

Many construction sectors will benefit from the American Jobs Plan, from residential builders to transportation, commercial, and industrial construction firms. The following spending areas impact construction with a focus on clean energy, innovation, and equitable access to resources.

• Build, preserve, and retrofit two million affordable and sustainable housing and commercial buildings.
• Build and rehab 500,000 homes for low- and middle-income homebuyers over five years.
  • Includes grants to incentivize production.
• Modernize and repair 20,000 miles of roads and 10,000 bridges.
• Upgrade water, wastewater, and stormwater systems.
  • Includes the replacement of 100 percent of lead pipes and service lines.
• Bring high-speed broadband access to rural communities.
• Upgrade the nation’s power grid.
• Invest in workforce development.
• Improve ports and airports.
• Remediate and redevelop blighted properties.
• Build 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030.

The Jobs Plan says it will modernize hundreds of bus and rail stations and expand rail and transit systems. Schools, childcare facilities, veterans’ hospitals, and federal buildings are all on the docket for energy-efficient repairs, retrofits, and renovations.

PRO Act

The PRO Act is a divisive bill that could be voted on separately if it receives enough support in the Senate. Construction industry leaders strongly oppose it; the Associated General Contractors of America commented on how the Act’s elements would inhibit worker privacy and hurt the overall economic recovery.

In its current form, the PRO Act seeks to revise the existing definitions of supervisor and independent contractor so more workers are classified as covered employees, change union election rules, remove right-to-work protections, and impose additional reporting and liability requirements on employers.

Time will tell what provisions will be included in the final PRO Act if it makes it to a Senate floor vote at all.  With significant opposition from industry groups and other lawmakers, it stands to reason that at least certain parts of the PRO Act would be amended before, or if, the Act becomes law.

Passage of the Final Legislation

Negotiations have just begun for the American Jobs Plan, and even though it contains several bipartisan provisions, certain areas will be addressed in the coming weeks, such as how the Plan will be funded. The American Jobs Plan is only part one of the President’s legislative plan; part two, the American Families Plan, is yet to be released.

Contact Us

Although it is almost certain there will be changes to the initial Biden Administration plan, it does provide important insight into the expected opportunities for Atlanta construction companies.  If you have questions about the information outlined above or need assistance with an audit or tax issue, Wilson Lewis can help. For additional information call us at 770-476-1004 or click here to contact us. We look forward to speaking with you soon.