Photo courtesy GCBX: GCBX 72nd Annual Installation and Awards Dinner.

At the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, we are proud to be the premier trade association representing the Commercial Contracting Industry in the region since 1952. The Commercial Contracting Industry in the region employs over 50,000 workers. At GCBX, 63% of our members have been in business over 20 years and 24% have been in business 11–20 years, so they are an important part of the community and have been an economic engine in the economy for a long time.

GCBX has accomplished a lot for its members over the years to help keep this sector robust and to support those local businesses in the industry. These local businesses build hospitals, libraries, fire stations, police stations, the places where you go to work, where you shop and where you take your family to eat along with many other commercial buildings in the area.

GCBX was proud to support the industry during the pandemic, especially during the early days of uncertainty. The GCBX Board of Directors made the decision that the organization would not apply for any funding through the Paycheck Protection Program, which would have had us potentially competing with GCBX members as well as other local businesses for those funds. We tightened our belts, took care of GCBX members and staff and through strategic management decisions made it through better and stronger.

As a result of the success of the GCBX members, when there is a need in the community the organization and its members step up to fill that need. Every year we work with local high schools in Manatee and Sarasota counties and spend a day at Suncoast Technical College and Manatee Technical College introducing students to careers in the trades. Each year, many of these students are provided opportunities for internships and apprenticeships to jump start a career in the trades. 

We were able to further introduce students to an education in the Trades and by doing so address future workforce needs of GCBX members by working with the Sarasota School Board and Riverview High School in starting the Construction Trades Academy, which has been hugely successful. Again, we did not seek government assistance, but reached out to GCBX members and through their generosity and commitment we were able to get this program off the ground.

Recently, the GCBX Political Committee committed to support “North Port Rising” to help the fastest growing area of the county meet the demands of the community. North Port is not only the fastest growing area of the county, but it is where many of the employees of GCBX members live, so supporting this effort is the right thing to do.

GCBX isn’t just about “business” but it is also about community. GCBX and its members prioritize our employees, the needs of the community and a desire to keep the region economically diverse and sustainable.

GCBX and its members are among the strongest supporters of non-profit organizations in the community and our local school systems. We pride ourselves on leading by example and building not just with brick and mortar but by building a stronger community.

Mary Dougherty is Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange.

Photo courtesy GCBX: GCBX 72nd Annual Installation and Awards Dinner.