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.
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