Sen. Kelly, Local Workers Celebrate Construction Appreciation Week in Stratford

STRATFORD – Today Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) was joined by Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick and members of Connecticut’s construction industry and workforce to kick off National Construction Appreciation Week with a tour of Burns Construction Company in Stratford and a discussion of the achievements and importance of Connecticut’s construction industry and workers.

Senator Kelly was joined by Don Shubert, president of the Connecticut Construction Industry Association; Keith Brothers, president of the Connecticut State Building Trades; leadership from the Connecticut Laborers District Council, Operating Engineers Local 478, the Connecticut Carpenters Local 326, the Millwrights, the Connecticut Teamsters, and other industry representatives. Other lawmakers present included Senator Henri Martin (R-Bristol) Ranking Member on the Commerce and Finance, Revenue and Bonding committees and Senator Paul Cicarella (R-North Haven) Ranking Member of the Veterans Affairs Committee.

“Construction positively affects the lives of every American, and every CT family. A healthy and growing construction industry is an indicator of a healthy and growing economy. It’s also a major source of jobs and opportunity for CT families,” said Sen. Kelly. “Today we gather to recognize and thank the workers who construct the buildings in which we live, work and play; our roads and bridges that take us safely where we need to go; and the communications infrastructure that connects us all. We can and must do all that we can to continue supporting the construction industry and the thousands of jobs it creates here in Connecticut. From strengthening workforce development to ensuring federal infrastructure dollars are invested in transparent, accountable, and transformative ways, there is more work that lies ahead to grow this workforce. Thank you to every worker who supports construction across our state.”

“The construction industry would like to sincerely thank Senator Kelly for recognizing all of the hard-working people who dedicate their lives to building Connecticut,” said Don Shubert, president of the Connecticut Construction Industry Association. “Today’s discussion is important as a strong construction industry is vital to enhancing mobility, protecting our environment, and to improving the quality of life in Connecticut.  We are pleased to stand with the Senator Kelly today.”

“The construction industry literally builds the landscape we work in, live in, and share with our family and friends,” said Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick.  “I am excited to join in recognizing those who lead and work in the industry such as the great people at Stratford’s Burns Construction, as we observe Construction Appreciation Week.  We are proud to support the industry that supports all of us in everything we do.”

“I want to thank Senator Kelly for his support of Connecticut’s construction industry and our workforce,” said Keith Brothers, President of the Connecticut State Building Trades. “Representing 30,000 workers in the state of Connecticut who work hard every day to build our state, it’s infrastructure, and our economy, I appreciate the support of our state lawmakers. We must continue working together to engage in these conversations to better Connecticut, grow jobs, and support our workers.”

In Connecticut, construction contributes approximately $7.5 billion (2.7%) of the state’s GDP of $276.4 billion. There were 745,000 construction firms in the U.S. in 2019, including 7,930 in Connecticut. Private nonresidential construction spending in Connecticut totaled $2.8 billion in 2020. State and local spending totaled $2.8 billion. Construction employment in Connecticut in August 2021 totaled 57,200.

National Construction Appreciation Week recognizes the dedicated, hardworking men and women in the industry who are instrumental in the development of our infrastructure and facilities. September 1 also marked Building and Code Staff Appreciation Day. Today’s event recognized all the staff that supports construction across our state.

Burns Construction Company, founded in 1957, has been providing construction services with a long history of services of various communities. The lawmakers toured Burns Construction and learned about their workforce development and training programs. Learn more: burnsconstruction.com.