October 6, 2010—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) lauded passage by the House of Representatives September 23 of the Senate’s legislation that creates a $30 billion fund administered by the Small Business Administration and $12 billion in small business tax relief that is designed to aid small businesses hurt by the recession.
“As many of our members are two- and three-person shops, this legislation will provide some much-needed relief to architects struggling as the economy continues to struggle,” said Paul Mendelsohn, Vice President, AIA Government & Community Relations.
Mendelsohn said that the AIA will continue to work for passage of legislation not included in this bill that addresses such issues as: access to credit, which AIA says is the primary issue facing architects in this recessionary economy; repeal of a costly provision in healthcare reform that requires architects and other small businesses to file a 1099 MISC tax form if they pay a vendor $600 or more for goods and services; and passage of legislation that guarantees local governments the right to establish clean energy programs through Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bonds.
“While the recession might be technically over, employment in our profession has dropped roughly 20 percent since the recession began in late 2007,” Mendelsohn said. “The AIA views these initiatives as ones that will help jump-start the design and construction industry, and in turn help get architects back to work.”
