SCA: SCA unites construction, design, supply industries

Wayne D. Towe is president of the Springfield Contractors Association and is president of MECO Systems.

Organized in 1953 by 22 local contractors, next year will make the 50th year for the Springfield Contractors Association. SCA now has more than 350 member companies made up of general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers and associates representing more than 10,000 workers. SCA works to promote the interests of the construction industry locally.

Through the organization and our members, we work with governmental units and the private sector on building code and specification work; we work with community leaders on programs for community betterment; we support the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Springfield Business and Development Corporation; and we work with local architects and engineers to enhance working relationships and work quality.

In addition, we ensure a future supply of employees through our support for educational efforts, including cooperating with the department of industrial management at Southwest Missouri State University for our mutual benefit, and we act as a sponsor for the SMSU Construction Club, along with the construction technology program at Ozarks Technical Community College and the Hammons School of Architecture at Drury University.

The association distributes at least $4,000 each year in scholarships to students in these programs, and our member companies offer advice, training, materials and enhancement opportunities for construction students.

During Salute to Construction week, our members go to area high schools and middle schools to hold discussions on the construction industry for those students interested in pursuing work in our field. We cooperate with other local organizations to present Salute to Construction events and honor the Developer of the Year with an award for outstanding community development at the salute banquet.

Our members take advantage of educational seminars offered periodically on topics of concern for the industry. We provide monthly meetings and other social activities throughout the year.

Our monthly newsletter is a tool to disseminate information about association activities and other matters of importance to our members.

Our Web site at www.springfieldcontractors.org includes our membership directory, along with recommended bidding procedures and the SCA-AIA Bid Date Calendar.

We provide access to the plans room through a joint agreement with F.W. Dodge Corporation.

SCA members are eligible for special discounts on Dodge services. The Dodge office is located in the SCA Building for our members' convenience.

We maintain our office in the building our members cooperated to build at 1313 N. Nias, and we have an executive staff to serve our members and achieve the goals of the association.

One of the most valuable services we offer is providing a central location for taking applications and making name of qualified workers available to members through the Springfield contractors employment referral service.

Working together, the Springfield Contractors Association is "Building the Ozarks."