CHICAGO, IL Two of the largest Chicagoland general contractor's associations announce the two have merged to become the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors (CAGC). The former Builders Association and the Fox Valley Associated General Contractors, had been in discussion for nearly 18 months and recently held their first official board meeting of the group.

The Builders Association began back in 1906, while the Fox Valley AGC was established in 1952. Both are affiliated with the Associated General Contractors of America representing more than 36,000 contractors and construction related companies across the United States. Their combined membership includes some of the largest names in the commercial construction industry in Chicago, Illinois, and many of the collar counties.

George K. Tuhowski III, Director of Sustainability at Leopardo Companies, will lead the new Chicagoland AGC as President. Tuhowski III believes this merger will build on the combined strength of the organizations. "The merged Association will serve as an even stronger voice for the industry and our members include the leading contractors and suppliers in the Chicagoland area. Our general contractor members range from large national firms to smaller, specialized companies and build private and public projects worth more than $11 billion annually," said Tuhowski III.

The merger comes at a time when Chicago is enjoying a construction boom with the highest record of tower crane permits requested in decades. The Chicagoland AGC will also continue to have a voice in the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association, which has represented employers in the commercial construction industry since 1971 and has helped promote stability and unity across various trade unions in the industry.

"The merger of these two groups will have a significant impact on ensuring their members' voices are heard and will be more effective in working to improve the construction industry," said Ken Egidi, President and CEO of Pepper construction and a member of the Association.