A Residential Boom and NECA Momentum – July Brings the Heat
Summer may be in full swing, but our momentum remains strong.
This month's newsletter highlights the many ways NECA Greater Boston contractors are helping shape the future of Massachusetts—from addressing the Commonwealth's housing shortage to building the clean energy infrastructure that will power our economy for generations to come.
Our Contractor Spotlight featuring Aldon Electric showcases exactly why NECA contractors are uniquely positioned to meet today's housing demands. Our contractors' advanced prefabrication facilities and innovative construction methods, coupled with our skilled construction wiremen and highly trained IBEW workforce, allow projects to be delivered more efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and productivity. As the Commonwealth continues to prioritize housing production, we are encouraged by the additional housing investments and site plan review improvements included in the economic development legislation. These policies, along with our recent discussions with Secretary of Economic Development Eric Paley during his visit to our JATC training center, reinforce that solving the housing crisis requires a world-class workforce and contractors that are ready to build.
Energy remains another major focus. Whether it's grid modernization, substation upgrades, battery storage, solar, electric vehicle infrastructure, or improving energy affordability and reliability, NECA contractors and our highly skilled IBEW workforce are delivering the projects that keep Massachusetts moving forward. This month, we also submitted recommendations to the Massachusetts Energy Transformation Advisory Board advocating for responsible contractor policies, prevailing wage, registered apprenticeship, and high-road labor standards. As the House and Senate work to reconcile their respective energy bills before the close of formal sessions, we remain optimistic the final legislation will advance reforms to electric interconnection, streamline solar permitting, strengthen the Mass Save program, modernize the electric grid, and create meaningful opportunities for our contractors while supporting the Commonwealth's ambitious clean energy goals.
None of this work happens without people. This month, we welcomed nearly 250 first-year apprentices into our training program, strengthening the workforce that will build the Commonwealth's next generation of housing, hospitals, schools, transportation systems, and energy infrastructure. We also continued investing in the future through our Industry Executive Committee, helping develop the next generation of contractor leaders through advocacy and public policy education. In contrast, contractors like Murphy Electric & Industrial Control partnered with the Wentworth NECA Student Chapter to connect students with meaningful careers in our industry.