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How The Proposed Federal Infrastructure Package Would Benefit Arizona Contractors

The Senate moved closer to passing a $1 trillion infrastructure package Saturday after lawmakers from both parties voted to clear a key procedural hurdle.

The bill is expected to positively impact Arizona’s construction industry.

The plan is expected to bring hundreds of millions in infrastructure funding to Arizona in 2022 alone, supplemented by additional projects funded by the state budget.

David Martin is the President of the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America. He says recent worries of labor shortages will not impact Arizona’s ability to complete the federally-funded projects.

“The interesting thing about the construction workforce is that they’re transient, so they go where there’s opportunity. I have absolute confidence in the workforce system,” said Martin.

The bill includes “Buy America” provisions, put in place to ensure American-made iron, steel, and other products are used in federally-funded projects.

Martin says this may create supply chain issues, but he is confident the Biden Administration will work with contractors to avoid or overcome those problems.

Vaughan Jones was a reporter at KJZZ from 2020 to 2022.