MCAA Regional Report, Region G

Words: Glenn HottmannArizona - Clem Hellmann
Colorado - No State Chair
New Mexico - Randy Saponaro
Utah - Alan Johnson
Wyoming - Jim Thompson

Workforce Development

Arizona
The Apprenticeship Program continues to operate both in the Phoenix area and in Tucson. The enrollment of first-year apprentices is still a challenge due to lack of work. Phoenix enrolled two new apprentices in August, 2010. Our Tucson classes will begin in January. We recently interviewed nine candidates for the Tucson program and hope to enroll at least three for the 2011 school year.

Colorado
No state chairman

New Mexico
No report as of this writing.

Utah
The UMC (Utah Masonry Council), has been supporting these efforts, providing education and support to all those who desire to be involved. The UMC has hired a consultant who has been actively working with various city and county ordinances, promoting code changes concerning the value of using masonry in building specifications. They have been able to strengthen masonry codes for the betterment of several communities in Utah.

Wyoming
No report as of this writing.

General Conditions

Arizona
The downturn of the economy continues to affect our industry in both the residential and commercial sectors. There seems to be a slight upswing in residential work within the past few months.

The AMCA (Arizona Masonry Contractors Association) Safety program continues to promote safety in the workplace. Last year, AMCA offered a Safety Awareness class as well as an OSHA 10-Hour Construction course. Our loss ratio is slightly up from last year but continues to be on the low end.

Materials are available and prices will more than likely increase in 2011. Suppliers continue to be very competitive in the market and prices are checked on a per bid basis.

Colorado
No State Chairman

New Mexico
No report as of this writing.

Utah
General Contractors and Subcontractors alike are failing at a fast pace this year. Amongst this, there are many who are surviving. Those who stay educated, work hard at promoting quality, safety and performance and have built strong relationships in business development, have the best chance at success in this market.

Wyoming
No report as of this writing.

Economic Conditions

Arizona
The economy in Arizona continues to suffer and the predictions are that it will continue through 2011. Although housing starts seem to be slightly up from where they were one year ago, the commercial sector is almost at a stand-still with the exception of Public work.

Colorado
No State Chairman

New Mexico
No report as of this writing.

Utah
As many states/regions across the country are experiencing one of the worst recessions they have ever faced, Utah is experiencing the same. Utah's construction industry has been declining and described lately as "Hope for the Best and Prepare for the Worst" according to the report, reported by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah — James Wood, Director. Commercial construction over the past two years has declined by 49 percent. Utah's steepest single-year decline in nonresidential construction was recorded in 2009. It is predicted there will be at least one more year of decline and then a gradual increase through 2015.

Wyoming
No report as of this writing.

Market Expansion and Initiatives

Arizona
The AMCA and AMG (Arizona Masonry Guild) are partnering to promote masonry like never before in the state of Arizona. In September 2010 a STAKEHOLDERS' meeting was held and almost 100 industry members participated. Mackie Bounds was on hand to help inspire the group in organizing an army to develop and implement a Masonry Promotion Plan for Arizona. We are utilizing the experience and resources of the Florida, Illinois and Texas associations in creating our own promotion programs that will help stop the erosion of masonry market share in the state.

Colorado
No State Chairman

New Mexico
No report as of this writing.

Utah
This last year, the UMC launched a new website, to promote education, marketing and general information concerning masonry to mason contractors, architects, engineers and end users/owners.

UMC has been active in the Utah Legislature, working to promote legislation that would require a national masonry certification and a special masonry license to build structural/commercial masonry work.

Wyoming
No report as of this writing.
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