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Member Services

The mission of the Washtenaw Contractors Association (WCA) is to improve the construction industry in Washtenaw County and increase the success of WCA member firms by providing leadership in the areas of business development, workforce development, labor relations, communication and education. The WCA has been serving the commercial/industrial construction industry in Washtenaw County since 1949. Our long-term success is due to our constant effort to respond to the needs of our members by providing a full range of member services.

• Plan Room
• Membership Directories
• Construction User Relations
• Purchase of Construction Services Seminar
• Networking Opportunities

• Construction Career Expo
• Intern and Scholarship Programs

• Contract Negotiation/Administration
• Labor Training

• Education and Information Programs
• Contractor Connection Newsletter
• Industry Relations/Awards Programs
• Legislative Advocacy
• Community Relations

• CAM-COMP
• Auto Owners

WCA Plan Room:
The WCA's Plan Room is a conveniently located central source of plans for construction projects in the Washtenaw County area. This is the only plan room in southeast Michigan that is outside the Detroit metro area. The Plan Room provides WCA members with a weekly report listing area projects that is faxed to their office each Friday. Members have use of the Plan Room during business hours and may check out plans overnight or for the weekend.
More information about the Plan Room

WCA Membership Directories:
The WCA maintains both a printed and an online directory of WCA members. Both directories contain extensive information about the expertise of member firms. The printed directory is presented to major construction users during the one-on-one meetings with WCA representatives. The online directory is searchable on several fields of information such as project type, project size, type of work and geographic location.

Construction User Relations:
The WCA helps members maintain close contact with major construction users in Washtenaw County. One-on-one meetings with users, publication of user profiles and close relationships with municipalities and economic development organizations help the WCA and its members generate new business, solve common problems and facilitate successful completion of major projects. WCA volunteers also participate in monthly meetings with the County's major public sector construction users.

Purchase of Construction Services Seminar:
The WCA has created an educational seminar that provides information on how to purchase design and construction services. It covers the process from the point of the owner's identification of need for a facility up to the beginning of actual construction. Topics covered include selection of the design and construction professionals, land or existing building acquisition, financing, budgeting, scheduling, permitting, value engineering, bidding and contracts. The seminar is presented upon request and is free of charge. An outline of the seminar is available both in print and online.

Networking Opportunities:
The WCA's bi-monthly membership meetings and seminars provide members with excellent opportunities to meet and interact with individuals from other contracting, subcontracting, supplier and professional service firms doing business in the construction industry in the Washtenaw County area. Social events hosted by the WCA include an annual golf outing, a golf league and the PYRAMID Awards.

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Intern/Scholarship Programs:
The WCA helps prepare students for careers in construction management through its Summer Intern and Scholarship Program. This program provides college students with 12 week paid summer internship positions and $1,500 scholarships. The program gives WCA members access to talented summer employees at a moderate cost. The Association has also funded an Endowed Scholarship at Washtenaw Community College that supports at least one construction management student each year.

Contract Negotiation/Administration:
For those contractors that grant their Power of Attorney to the Association, the WCA negotiates labor contracts and manages labor relations with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 9 and Laborers Local 959.

Labor Training:
The WCA is one of several contractor organizations that support and direct the Detroit Carpentry Apprenticeship Program operated in partnership with the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and the Trowel Trades Apprenticeship Program operated in partnership with Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local #9.

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Contractor Connection Newsletter:
The bi-monthly newsletter presents the information that members need to know about the local construction industry in a concise, easy to read format.

Industry Relations/PYRAMID Awards:
The WCA actively promotes better working relationships among the various sectors of the construction industry through participation in, and financial support of industry related organizations and programs, and through the presentation of awards. The prestigious PYRAMID Awards recognize exceptional achievement in the areas of teamwork, service and innovation. The Vander Hyden Award is presented annually to an individual who provides outstanding service to the industry and to the community at large.

Legislative Advocacy:
Changes in laws and government regulations that impact the construction industry are monitored and communicated to members on a timely basis through the WCA newsletter. The WCA is also actively involved in all local legislative issues that affect construction companies.

Community Relations:
Through financial support of nonprofit organizations, recognition of service to the community by members of the construction industry (Vander Hyden Award) and active participation in many community organizations, the Washtenaw Contractors Association plays a vital role as a community leader in Washtenaw County.

CAM-COMP:
The WCA is a cosponsor of the CAM-COMP Workers Compensation Insurance Program. WCA membership entitles member firms to access this self-insured group program that is specifically designed for the construction industry.

Auto Owners:
The WCA participates in the Auto-Owners Group Insurance Program that entitles WCA member firms to a 10% discount on all types of Auto Owners business insurance; including auto, property, liability and workers compensation.

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