in National Ranking
—Associated Builders and Contractors has released its 10th annual
Merit Shop Scorecard, ranking Wisconsin 1 out of 51 for providing a strong business environment for
merit shop construction contractors.
The scorecard, released annually since 2015, ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on
policies and programs that better career pathways in construction, further workforce development and
strengthen fair and open competition on taxpayer-funded construction projects.
“ABC’s rankings make it clear that policies which protect free enterprise, promote economic growth,
reduce regulatory burdens and expand workforce development create the conditions to welcome all of
Wisconsin’s construction industry to rebuild local infrastructure,” said Kelly Tourdot, President at ABC
Wisconsin. “Our taxpayers are best served when all contractors can bid on projects. As ABC’s Merit
Shop Scorecard has demonstrated, Wisconsin’s lawmakers have created the conditions for a healthy
construction industry.”
More than 70% of Wisconsin’s construction workforce considers itself merit shop, meaning they support
free market enterprise and open competition. ABC Wisconsin’s membership reached a new record in
2024 with more than 1000 companies joining the merit shop movement. The apprenticeship program
also has record enrollment, with nearly 2,500 active apprentices learning skilled trades in the state.
“Our members benefit from Wisconsin’s healthy construction environment. They are growing, and
building a skilled workforce to take on the state’s needs, both now and into the future. Good policies at
the state make this possible. It is crucial that we maintain them,” Tourdot explained.
Building America: The Merit Shop Scorecard rates state laws, programs, policies and statistics in seven
categories: project labor agreements, prevailing wage laws, right-to-work laws, public-private
partnerships, workforce development, CTE and job growth rate. Learn more at meritshopscorecard.org.
No responses yet