CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 21, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Carolinas AGC co-hosted a forum December 15 in Charleston, S.C., to call for renewed federal infrastructure investment. The forum featured U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, Jr.  

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Participants focused on the importance of smart infrastructure investment as a way to maintain America's economic competitiveness and to enhance our quality of life. The forum featured local and national elected officials and industry leaders, including H.B. "Buck" Limehouse, Jr., Secretary of the South Carolina Department of Transportation and David P. Agnew, Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at The White House.

On Tuesday, December 14, the Building America's Future Educational Fund held a news conference focused on the importance of smart infrastructure investment as a way to maintain Charleston's economic competitiveness and to enhance the city's quality of life. Officials discussed local challenges, including Charleston's port, transportation systems and persistent flooding on the Septima Clark Parkway Expressway.

At Tuesday's event, Gov. Rendell told local media, "The problem is that infrastructure isn't sexy. You only hear about it after tragedies like Katrina and the Minnesota bridge collapse." Rendell also pointed out the need to replace earmarks with a National Infrastructure Bank "based on merits, not politics." Randy Snow, COO, United Infrastructure and Carolinas AGC member, discussed the success of South Carolina's State Infrastructure Bank, and noted that South Carolina's is the first in the nation. He emphasized, "It has worked well and should serve as a model for the rest of the country."

Other sponsors of the events included AGC of America, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Building America's Future.

Carolinas AGC builds its 2,200 members' businesses through workforce development, business development, profit management, and workers' compensation insurance. More than 75% of commercial and industrial construction (buildings, highways/bridges, utility facilities) in both North and South Carolina is performed or supported by CAGC members. Visit CAGC at www.cagc.org.

SOURCE Carolinas Associated General Contractors

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