Welcome to Associated Builders and Contractors of Empire State
We are the Empire State Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), a leading national construction association dedicated to supporting merit shop contractors. With over 400 members across New York State, our chapter operates from our central office in East Syracuse, as well as branch offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, New York City, and Long Island. We help our members develop people, win work and deliver work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work.
ABC Membership
Membership is available to general contractors, subcontractors, associates, and suppliers.
Founded on the merit shop philosophy, Associated Builders and Contractors helps its members develop people, win work, and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. From best-in-class safety programs to discounts with leading vendors, ABC has the solutions for merit-shop companies nationwide.
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Multiple Employer Apprenticeship Program
With apprenticeship requirements on the rise for both public and private work, ABC’s Empire State Chapter is proud to offer a nine-trade, NYSDOL-approved program.
Professional Services Committee
This valuable, member-created resource hosts meetings and informational webinars while also acting as a referral service that links contractors with professionals in a number of industries to aid with critical issues.
Custom Training
Customized training means ABC will develop an accredited training program and tailor it to exactly meet any members current needs. Â Our education team will meet, one-on-one, with you and your leadership team to understand and evaluate your professional culture and training needs.
Political Advocacy
The Chapter’s dedicated government affairs team advocates for and against a multitude of legislative policies – at the local, state, and federal levels – for the benefit of merit shop contractors throughout New York State.
STEP Program
ABC’s STEP Safety Management System provides contractors and suppliers with a robust, no-cost framework for measuring safety data and benchmarking with peers in the industry.
The self-assessment tool helps participants identify real opportunities for scalable growth in their safety programs to lower their total recordable incident rates.
Wentworth Institute of Technology Partnership
The ABC Empire State Chapter is pleased to partner with Wentworth Institute of Technology to offer non-degree, online courses to our members and not-yet-members. Click below for more information.
ABC in the News
ABC By: Isabel Melendez-Rivera, published on syracuse.com 4/11/26. A new approach to tackling New York State’s housing crisis aims to change the required number of staircases in apartment buildings. Currently, state building code requires any apartment building three stories or taller to have at least two exits, or staircases. The longstanding code was put into…
ABC Chapter President Brian Sampson has been featured in the following article in the New York Post, published on 4/6/26. They’re hitting a few potholes. Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul coincidentally both patted themselves on the back for filling in potholes Mondays – drawing scorn for celebrating doing the basics of their jobs.…
ABC ROCHESTER, NYÂ – Brian Sampson, President of the Empire State Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, today expressed concern over Assemblywoman Jen Lunsford’s opposition to Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed auto insurance reforms, arguing that continued opposition risks maintaining a system that has contributed to extortionately high premiums for New York drivers. “Auto insurance premiums…