Arkansas has secured second place in the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc.'s 2024 Merit Shop Scorecard, which evaluates the construction industry. This achievement has stakeholders optimistic about further progress and growth in the sector.

The state received high marks in several categories, including career and technical education, right-to-work laws, and public-private and prevailing wage mandates. Bill Rochelle, president of the Associated Builders and Contractors of Arkansas, credited the success to the efforts of state lawmakers.

"I think our state lawmakers have done an outstanding job of making it easy to do business with construction in Arkansas," said Rochelle. "There's not any burdensome regulations that are going to hinder a contractor's ability to get work and win work. All that credit goes back to our lawmakers for the environment they have created here in our great state of Arkansas."

Rochelle also acknowledged the contributions of the Department of Commerce, Workforce Development, and the Office of Skills Development in the state's construction success.

Johnathan Adams, business development officer at Nabholz Construction, echoed Rochelle’s praise. "We've partnered for a long time with Bill and ABC, and we've been members of their association for a long time," said Adams. "It's really a great state to build in. There's a lot going on, and we're thankful to be here and be a part of it."

Both Rochelle and Adams highlighted the critical role of construction in Arkansas' economy. "These guys here build the schools, the hospitals, the roads, the bridges," Rochelle remarked. "It's important that we have nice buildings for these young men and women to be educated in and nice hospitals when we have to use those."

Adams also pointed to taxpayer-funded projects like the new Little Rock Central High School science wing. "This is a state-funded taxpayer project," Adams said. "It's nice to see our tax dollars being put to work."

Rochelle referred to the ranking as "an outstanding accomplishment for our state" and emphasized that ABC Arkansas is focused on recruiting younger generations to ensure continued industry growth. "As for the Merit Shop rankings, in the future, Arkansas is coming for that number one spot," Rochelle said.