ABC NESD Blog

Community, Coffee & Construction: Celebrating 40 Years of Schwisow Construction’s Legacy in Lincoln

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:27:54 GMT

Schwisow Construction proudly marked 40 years in business with an open house and ribbon cutting event at its newly expanded and remodeled headquarters. The event brought together clients, partners, friends, and community members for a morning of celebration, reflection, and giving back.

With a great turnout and strong community support, the event doubled as an opportunity to make a difference. Schwisow partnered with the Food Bank of Lincoln, collecting enough donated items during the event to provide 340 meals for families in need.

“The Food Bank of Lincoln is honored to be part of celebrating Schwisow Construction’s 40 incredible years of community impact.” said Jason Pauling, Director of Corporate Partnerships “We’re deeply grateful for this partnership, which has already led to over 15,000 meals for food-insecure neighbors in Southeast Nebraska.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony was filled with meaningful moments, including a special tribute to the field crew, who were given the honor of cutting the ribbon—a fitting recognition of the hands that have built Schwisow’s legacy over the past 40 years. Following the ribbon cutting, guests toured the newly renovated space, sipped coffee and sampled treats from local favorite The Chocolate Season, and enjoyed a live radio remote hosted by Adam Carriker on The Ticket (93.7 FM).

One guest, Shelia Radenslaben, Membership Director from ABC Nebraska South Dakota mentioned “It’s exciting to see Schwisow Constructions hard work and vision come together—wishing them continued growth and success in the future!”

The 40th anniversary milestone reflects Schwisow Construction’s continued growth and legacy. The newly expanded space is designed to better serve clients, enhance collaboration, and support future innovation.

“Celebrating 40 years is a milestone that reflects the dedication of our team, the trust of our clients, and the strength of the communities we serve.” said Doug Blum, President and CEO of Schwisow Construction. “This open house and ribbon cutting not only mark our continued growth, but also honor the relationships and hard work that have built Schwisow Construction into what it is today.”

A Win for Small Business, Construction and the American Worker

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 15:58:29 GMT

A Win for Small Business, Construction and the American Worker

Associated Builders and Contractors, representing more than 23,000 member companies and millions of construction workers nationwide, is celebrating a major victory for Main Street businesses and our industry.

The recently passed bipartisan tax package is more than just numbers—it’s meaningful relief for job creators like ABC members here in Nebraska and South Dakota. By extending provisions such as 100% bonus depreciation, enhanced business interest deductibility, and immediate R&D expensing, Congress has given contractors the tools to continue investing in people, equipment, and innovation.

Importantly, securing permanence for the 20% pass-through deduction is a significant step forward for small businesses operating as S corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships. This deduction is vital in allowing firms to reinvest more capital into hiring, training, and expanding operations. Making it permanent helps level the playing field with larger corporations and ensures the long-term strength of small and mid-sized construction companies.

The bill also brings big wins for the American workforce, including an overtime tax deduction and expanded 529 accounts and Pell grants for skilled trades training—policies that directly support the next generation of craft professionals.

Tax certainty and pro-growth measures like these are not abstract policy points for construction. They are the foundation that allows ABC members to invest, grow, and keep America building. This legislation demonstrates what’s possible when Washington delivers results for working Americans, and we’ll continue to advocate for policies that strengthen construction and the communities we build. Learn more.

ABC Nebraska/South Dakota Celebrates Excellence at 2025 Excellence in Construction® Awards

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 14:43:56 GMT

Oppose LB 447 – Protect Fair Competition in Nebraska Construction

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:33:47 GMT

Alert

A bill is currently in the Senate, LB 447, that imposes burdensome apprenticeship requirements on redevelopment projects under the Community Development Act. This legislation is a direct threat to nonunion contractors, restricting your ability to compete and driving up costs for taxpayers.

The bill imposes a requirement that at 15% of total labor hours be performed by registered apprentices. These requirements favor union-affiliated programs, shutting out nonunion contractors who train workers through other high-quality craft training programs. It also requires contractors employing four or more workers to use at least one registered apprentice, and requires all contractors to abide by union apprentice-to-journeyman ratios. Additionally, it imposes prevailing wage on these projects.

This legislation will only make it harder for merit shop contractors to compete, especially small businesses, reducing competition resulting in fewer bidders and higher taxpayer costs and increasing unnecessary red tape. All while doing nothing to actually encourage workforce development, instead trading an inclusive and industry-wide approach to labor needs for political favoritism and discriminatory governance.

Make your voice heard and click below to contact your Senator today! Tell them to oppose LB 447 and protect Nebraska construction workers and taxpayers.

Message

As a constituent and member of Nebraska’s construction industry, I ask that you oppose LB 447, a bill that imposes burdensome apprenticeship requirements on redevelopment projects under the Community Development Act. This legislation is a direct threat to nonunion contractors, restricting our ability to compete and driving up costs for taxpayers by imposing unreasonable and unnecessary requirements.

The bill imposes a requirement that at 15% of total labor hours be performed by registered apprentices. These requirements favor union-affiliated programs, shutting out nonunion contractors who train workers through other high-quality craft training programs or don’t have access to registered programs. It also requires all contractors to abide by arbitrary union apprentice-to-journeyman ratios that will force contractors to restructure their workforce and lead to significant inefficiencies on both these redevelopment projects and other work being done by the same contractors.

This legislation will only make it harder for merit shop contractors like me to compete, especially small businesses, reducing competition resulting in fewer bidders and higher taxpayer costs and increasing unnecessary red tape. All while doing nothing to actually encourage workforce development, instead trading an inclusive and industry-wide approach to labor needs for political favoritism and discriminatory governance.

The construction industry faces a labor shortage of 439,000 workers nationally in 2025. Legislation like this doesn’t address that shortage or provide actual solutions. It instead further limits the pool of available labor based on nothing but union membership. Meanwhile the taxpayers are left with the higher costs and less projects.

I strongly urge you to oppose LB 447 and protect Nebraska construction workers and taxpayers.

Are You Ready for an OSHA Inspection?

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 23:07:00 GMT

Preparing for an OSHA inspection isn’t just about avoiding citations—it’s about building a culture of safety that protects your team and ensures compliance. At ABC NESD, we’re committed to equipping our members with the tools and resources they need to succeed, whether it's on the jobsite or during an OSHA inspection.

Top Steps to Minimize OSHA Citations

Understand OSHA Standards
Stay informed on the OSHA standards specific to your industry and jobsite. ABC NESD offers resources to help you stay up to date with the latest compliance requirements.
Organize Your Documentation
Ensure all safety records, training logs, and equipment inspection reports are up-to-date and accessible. OSHA-required programs, such as PPE and Hazard Communication plans, should be easy to locate.
Perform Regular Jobsite Inspections
Proactively identify and correct hazards using a standardized checklist. This keeps the worksite safe and demonstrates a strong commitment to compliance.
Provide Ongoing Safety Training
Engage your team in regular training sessions. Utilize ABC NESD’s resources and programs to keep your workforce knowledgeable and OSHA-ready.
Appoint a Safety Point Person
Designate a team member as your safety representative to coordinate with inspectors. This person should know where records are kept and understand jobsite conditions inside and out.
Engage with Inspectors Professionally
Be courteous and cooperative. Verify inspector credentials, provide requested documents, and correct identified hazards promptly.

Commit to Safety with ABC NESD

Safety isn’t a one-time effort—it’s a culture. At ABC NESD, we’re proud to support our members with resources, training, and events like the Safety Expo to keep your team safe and compliant.

Questions to Consider:

When was the last time your team conducted a full jobsite safety inspection?
How can ABC NESD assist in preparing your team for OSHA inspections?
Will you join us at the Safety Expo to elevate your safety practices?

Stay Connected

For more resources or to learn how ABC NESD can help, visit abcnesd.org or follow us on social media for updates. Let’s work together to stay OSHA-ready and keep building safely!

ABC NESD Blog

Community, Coffee & Construction: Celebrating 40 Years of Schwisow Construction’s Legacy in Lincoln

A Win for Small Business, Construction and the American Worker

ABC Nebraska/South Dakota Celebrates Excellence at 2025 Excellence in Construction® Awards

Oppose LB 447 – Protect Fair Competition in Nebraska Construction

Are You Ready for an OSHA Inspection?

Top Steps to Minimize OSHA Citations

Understand OSHA Standards
Stay informed on the OSHA standards specific to your industry and jobsite. ABC NESD offers resources to help you stay up to date with the latest compliance requirements.

Organize Your Documentation
Ensure all safety records, training logs, and equipment inspection reports are up-to-date and accessible. OSHA-required programs, such as PPE and Hazard Communication plans, should be easy to locate.

Perform Regular Jobsite Inspections
Proactively identify and correct hazards using a standardized checklist. This keeps the worksite safe and demonstrates a strong commitment to compliance.

Commit to Safety with ABC NESD

Stay Connected

ABC NESD Blog

Community, Coffee & Construction: Celebrating 40 Years of Schwisow Construction’s Legacy in Lincoln

A Win for Small Business, Construction and the American Worker

ABC Nebraska/South Dakota Celebrates Excellence at 2025 Excellence in Construction® Awards

Oppose LB 447 – Protect Fair Competition in Nebraska Construction

Are You Ready for an OSHA Inspection?

Top Steps to Minimize OSHA Citations

Understand OSHA Standards Stay informed on the OSHA standards specific to your industry and jobsite. ABC NESD offers resources to help you stay up to date with the latest compliance requirements.

Organize Your Documentation Ensure all safety records, training logs, and equipment inspection reports are up-to-date and accessible. OSHA-required programs, such as PPE and Hazard Communication plans, should be easy to locate.

Perform Regular Jobsite Inspections Proactively identify and correct hazards using a standardized checklist. This keeps the worksite safe and demonstrates a strong commitment to compliance.

Commit to Safety with ABC NESD

Stay Connected

Understand OSHA Standards
Stay informed on the OSHA standards specific to your industry and jobsite. ABC NESD offers resources to help you stay up to date with the latest compliance requirements.

Organize Your Documentation
Ensure all safety records, training logs, and equipment inspection reports are up-to-date and accessible. OSHA-required programs, such as PPE and Hazard Communication plans, should be easy to locate.

Perform Regular Jobsite Inspections
Proactively identify and correct hazards using a standardized checklist. This keeps the worksite safe and demonstrates a strong commitment to compliance.