This spring, the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy proudly celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2025—a remarkable group of apprentices ready to step into the region’s thriving construction workforce.

That question sparked the launch of Kids Building Michigan, a now-annual, hands-on event that introduces youth to careers in construction and skilled trades through live demos, real equipment and interactive exhibits.

Webster started by creating a Facebook group with a few friendly competitors called Start ‘em Young, brainstorming ways to engage youth. That effort soon grew into something bigger.

Investing in great leadership is one of the smartest moves any construction company can make. That’s the goal behind the new Construction Leadership Institute—a professional development series created to help emerging leaders strengthen the communication, people skills and strategic thinking needed to succeed in today’s fast-paced industry.

Southgate’s skyline is getting a remarkable transformation as The Bank Tower, the tallest building downriver, undergoes a major makeover to become a modern apartment community.

On June 5th, more than 150 ABC SEMI members gathered at Fieldstone Golf Club in Auburn Hills for our annual Golf Outing—a day of friendly competition, networking and plenty of laughs.

As Michigan’s construction industry continues to grow, so too does the need for a strong, unified hub for training, connection and advocacy. This fall, both the Southeast Michigan Construction Academy and the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeastern Michigan will begin a new chapter with the opening of a brand-new, 100,000-square-foot facility in Sterling Heights.

The construction industry thrives on the dedication, skill and craftsmanship of tradespeople who bring projects to life. Each year, the ABC National Craft Championships showcase the best and brightest in the skilled trades, providing a national stage for apprentices and craft trainees to demonstrate their abilities, compete against their peers and earn well-deserved recognition.

In the fast-paced world of construction, safety isn’t just a box to check—it’s a commitment to your team’s well-being and your company’s success. A well-trained workforce is not only more confident and productive but also better equipped to prevent accidents, reduce downtime and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

Specialized Recruiting Group, leads the SE Michigan professional recruiting division of Express Employment Professionals, a globally recognized staffing leader with over 850 offices in the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. While EEP boasts more than 40 years of experience and consistent recognition as one of the top staffing companies in the U.S., SRG brings a unique advantage: a local, personal touch.

For Eric Buszka, part owner and vice president of finance at Service Electric Supply, running a business isn’t just about selling electrical supplies—it’s about carrying on a family legacy and staying true to the company’s commitment to service. SES, the only wholesale electrical distributor in the ABC SEMI membership, has built its reputation on reliability, quality and a strong dedication to the trade.

After a February ice storm closed schools and public buildings, Kent Underlayments was hard at work in West Bloomfield, completing a 4,000-square-foot Gypsum floor underlayment pour for the new Chaldean Community Center.

Poured floor underlayments are a mixture of gypsum, Portland cement and sand. This product is applied to wood decking, structural and precast concrete. Kent Underlayments, a division of Kent Companies, has been providing this specialty service for over 30 years, demonstrating unmatched reliability and expertise.

The planning conference is a time for ABC members to guide the direction of the association to better serve the members and the industry as a whole. The ABC Board of Directors is a crucial part of making decisions for the chapter to focus on for the year.

The Associated Builders and Contractors Southeastern Michigan Chapter kicked off the year with the highly anticipated 2025 Planning Conference, a dynamic event designed to outline the association’s priorities and initiatives for the coming year. Held this year at the charming Amway Grand Hotel, the conference brought together association leaders, members and partners to discuss key trends, opportunities and challenges shaping construction.

This quarter, we’re exploring the boom of technology on construction and how members can take steps to stay ahead during this growth. Below is a discussion between CEO Keith Ledbetter and Grok, xAI’s AI Assistant about how AI is set to upend construction over the next 15 years.

The winner was Jacob Buning, a level 4 student at SEMCA, and a second-time competitor. When asked how the competition com pared to last, Buning’s fatigued and humorous response was that he was happy to have at least finished this year.

ABC Members helps other members transform their culture and leadership styles with a unique, but purposeful model.

The ABC Emerging Professionals program helps members develop up-and-coming leaders in their company. Last year, ABC had 15 individuals from various roles and backgrounds who participated in the program. These future leaders committed to six full day sessions focused on different areas of leadership and construction.

The Summit Company of Livonia, has solidified its reputation for delivering innovative and high-quality construction projects. Two standout achievements will take center stage, highlighting the company’s dedication to excellence and community impact.

As we enter 2025, it seems fitting to reflect on the previous term, but more importantly to look toward what is ahead. While ABC of Michigan, its members, and the merit shop took legislative lumps in 2024, it isn’t all a loss. In fact, it’s only a loss if we don’t learn from our experience and come out on the other end stronger than we already were. The aftermath of the 2024 election proved this to already be true for ABC of Michigan and its members.

As the curtain closes on 2024, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southeastern Michigan has much to reflect on and celebrate. This year marked a period of growth, innovation and resilience within the construction industry, as our members navigated challenges and embraced opportunities with the determination and ingenuity that define our region’s builders.