FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction is Now Open ↗

MCAA Regional Report, Region A

Words: Michael SchmerbeckConnecticut - No State Chair
Delaware - No State Chair
Maine - No State Chair
Maryland - Steve Sullivan
Massachusetts - Jim McEttrick
New Hampshire - Kerry Gagnon

The entire Northeast Corridor has been working off backlog for the past 12 months as new projects are scarce and this backlog is beginning to vanish. Speaking only for the PA, NJ and NY Markets which I know very well (but I believe the same holds true for the entire Northeast).

Bidding during the calendar year 2009 has been fairly bleak but there has been a very slight increase in activity during the last 6 weeks in both private and public work. Most of the large Construction Managers are reporting a slight increase in pre-construction activity during the last few months but the majority of this work will not translate into trowels in the field until 2011 at the earliest. We are anticipating 2010 to be the worst year of construction in the past 25 years or so! We anticipate sales volumes to drop to below 50% of previous years, even greater for many. But the silver lining to 2010 will be the increase in bidding activity that we anticipate to occur during the last half of the calendar year that will at least give us hope for 2011.

I wish I could offer better news or something inspirational but this is surely better than my first attempt which was simply “It Sucks!”
 0
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

Zach Everett
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More