Last month, HACIA united construction industry organizations from across the country in Washington, D.C. National Coalition for Infrastructure Growth to begin advancing a long-term, pro-growth initiative focused on strengthening America’s infrastructure marketplace.
Coalition members participating in the trip included the Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona, Georgia Hispanic Construction Association, Hispanic Contractors of Colorado, and National Hispanic Construction Association of California. Additional coalition partners supporting the initiative include the United States Minority Contractors Association, Greater Southwest Development Corporation, Women Construction Owners and Executives (Chicago Caucus), Associated Builders and Contractors (Illinois Chapter), Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Federation of Women Contractors.
The week began on Monday, May 18, with a virtual meeting involving the office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Coalition members then gathered for an introductory dinner and strategic planning session focused on refining long-term priorities, identifying industry challenges, and discussing opportunities to strengthen coordination across regional and national construction organizations.
On Tuesday, May 19, coalition members participated in meetings with legislative staff from the offices of Congressman Mike Quigley and Congressman Joaquin Castro. Discussions focused on issues impacting the construction industry and infrastructure marketplace, including contractor growth, workforce sustainability, federal transportation opportunities, and pro-growth competitiveness.
Later that day, the coalition met directly with Allen Gutierrez, Director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at the Department of Transportation Headquarters, to discuss federal contracting participation and opportunities to strengthen pathways for small and growing construction and professional services firms within infrastructure delivery systems.
The day concluded with a meeting alongside Congressman Jonathan Jackson, where coalition members continued conversations around infrastructure investment, economic development, and contractor participation within federally funded projects.
On Wednesday, May 20, coalition members met with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez and Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona to continue discussing the coalition’s long-term vision for supporting growth within the construction industry and strengthening infrastructure markets nationwide.
Throughout the trip, coalition organizations also spent significant time collaborating internally to continue shaping the initiative’s long-term direction. Discussions included identifying common challenges facing contractors across different markets, improving communication between organizations and their members, and developing policy priorities centered around growth, sustainability, and long-term industry capacity.
This trip marked an important first step in building national momentum around a stronger, more growth-oriented future for infrastructure contracting. While the coalition is still in its early stages, participating organizations remain committed to continuing conversations with policymakers, industry leaders, and contractors across the country.
As the coalition evolves, advocacy efforts will continue to be shaped directly by the feedback and experiences shared by contractors and construction businesses operating within today’s infrastructure marketplace. Coalition partners believe ongoing engagement with their members is critical to understanding current roadblocks, adjusting policy priorities where needed, and ensuring advocacy efforts remain aligned with the real-world challenges facing the industry.
This initiative is only the beginning, and coalition members look forward to continuing to build relationships, expand participation, and strengthen the long-term growth and competitiveness of America’s construction economy.
Looking Ahead
As HACIA looks to the future, the focus remains on building access, expanding opportunity, and strengthening the construction industry through its members. With a strong foundation in place, the organization is well positioned to continue growing its impact in the years ahead. But at the center of HACIA’s growth is a team committed to its mission. As Jacqueline Gomez puts it:
“The incredible impact we’ve made over the last five years is a reflection of a team that believes in our mission and shows up every day to get it done. Together, we are creating opportunities, strengthening our industry, and building a more inclusive community. I am excited to continue building on this momentum in the years ahead.”
Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with the coalition. Additionally, a video recapping the visit to DC will be added to this page and to HACIA’s social platforms. Stay tuned!