FREE ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE

The Free Enterprise Alliance was founded by the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) to advocate for the voice of small business as well as open and fair competition in the construction industry.  Since its inception, it has fought for these goals through research, education, outreach, as well as TV, radio and digital campaigns across the country.

At the heart of the Free Enterprise Alliance’s mission is the belief that while we need government for common sense regulations, the scales have tipped too far in favor of government intrusion and its advocates.  The Free Enterprise Alliance believes small business and entrepreneurs­–not union bosses and federal bureaucrats–grow jobs and our economy.

THE VOICE OF THE MERIT SHOP®

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 chapter members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 68 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically, profitably and for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC’s membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.

• ABC is the merit shop construction industry’s voice with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the federal government and with state and local governments, as well as with the news media.
• ABC’s mission is the advancement of the merit shop construction philosophy, which encourages open competition and a free enterprise approach that awards contracts based solely on merit, regardless of labor affiliation.
• ABC’s objective is to deal with issues on an industry-wide basis through its national office and chapters.
• ABC’s activities include government representation, legal advocacy, education, workforce development, communications, technology, recognition through national and chapter awards programs, employee benefits, information on best practices, and business development through an online contractor search directory.

ABC was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md., to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. The courage and dedication of those seven contractors helped to quickly spread the merit shop philosophy, within time making ABC the fastest growing association in the United States. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America’s business community and the merit shop construction industry.