Join Us
Member Benefits
The Utility Contractors Association of Connecticut (UCAC) represents the underground utility and site work construction industry in Connecticut. UCAC is comprised of contractors, vendors, suppliers and manufacturers who support the utility contracting and construction industry. UCAC contractor members perform work to improve and enhance the utility infrastructure in the state of Connecticut.
UCAC/NUCA membership is institutional, opening up a world of benefits and connections for you and your entire staff when you join. We are actively seeking ways to bring our members more value all year long and invite all eligible companies to apply for membership and become a part of UCAC.
Advocacy
UCAC represents its members at the state and federal levels of government with lobbying and legislative monitoring. UCAC supports business-friendly legislation, bills that improve utility contracting and construction, and funding for infrastructure and capital improvement projects. UCAC opposes legislation that creates impediments to construction and development in the state. UCAC advocates its members’ interests before state agencies that regulate utility contracting and construction, including PURA, CONN-OSHA, and others. UCAC participates in industry coalitions with like-minded organizations, such as the Clean Water Investment Coalition, to help shape policies and decisions that affect the utility construction industry and the state’s business environment at large.
Safety and Training
UCAC members take steps necessary to protect public and crew safety by avoiding damage to underground facilities and maintaining a safe construction site. UCAC offers safety classes, education and license training and compliance programs for members through NUCA such as Competent Person, Confined Space and Essentials for Crew Leaders. UCAC participates actively in Call Before You Dig and promotes 811 throughout the state while working cooperatively with public utility companies to protect the public. Our Safety Committee is comprised of a passionate group of professionals who actively promote safety in our industry, Toolbox Talks, and NUCA’s Trench Safety Month and Trench Safety Stand Down each June.
Resources
UCAC keeps members informed about news and information relevant to the industry and their businesses through our e-newsletter, In the Pipeline. UCAC provides periodic alerts about legislation, regulations and issues affecting members. UCAC’s website, www.ucac.pro, provides information to the public about UCAC and activities, programs and events for members. The member directory provides information about contractors, suppliers and vendors active in the organization.
Networking
and Events
UCAC holds many important and timely programs and events on topics relevant to the industry ranging from drug testing in the workplace and on the jobsite to DMV safety and compliance to reducing the cost of workers’ compensation insurance. We also like to have fun: our meetings are held at many different venues across the state and provide our members with opportunities to connect at unique events that are head-and-shoulders above the typical association affair. In the past few years, we’ve gathered at amazing venues like the Basketball Hall of Fame, Yard Goats Café, Montana Nights Axe Throwing and Saint Clements Castle with speakers like Eric Giguere and Wally Adamchick and entertainers like Tom Pesce and Gianmarco Soresi.
Scholarship Program
UCAC’s Scholarship Program dates back nearly 50 years along with our signature fundraiser, the UCAC Scholarship Auction, held each November. UCAC awards merit-based scholarships to children of members and invites eligible seniors to apply each Spring. Beginning in 2022, UCAC has partnered with the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) to also offer a large number of cash awards to graduating seniors of the technical schools across the state to foster support for the trades and address workforce development. UCAC members, the Scholarship Committee and the entire community contribute to fundraising efforts throughout the year. Scholarship winners are selected in early June with an Awards Dinner held each July.
UCAC serves as the Connecticut chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association, which provides opportunities to participate at the national level. For example, UCAC participates in NUCA’s annual Washington Summit and Fly-In to the nation’s Capitol, where members meet with members of the Connecticut Congressional delegation and their staff to discuss infrastructure funding and other federal issues affecting UCAC and their businesses. Joining UCAC automatically provides membership in NUCA and access to additional education, resources, networking and other opportunities. NUCA advocates vigorously in support of infrastructure funding and in opposition to onerous federal regulations. NUCA is a member of several like-minded national industry coalitions. Additionally, contractors can obtain assistance from NUCA on how to handle an OSHA inspection and advice following an incident involving damaged facilities.
Leadership Opportunities
All UCAC members are invited to join one of our Committees including Awards & Recognition, Recruitment & Retention, Safety and Scholarships. Committee members meet several times each year and provide input and support to UCAC staff on their particular topic. Committees provide an excellent opportunity for members to connect on a different level, collaborate and make an impact on our organization, industry and community. Committees are a great way to get experience interfacing with UCAC staff and board members, particularly if you have an interest in serving on the board in the future. To express an interest in serving on a UCAC Committee, click here. NUCA also offers many opportunities to get involved at the national level.
Awards & Recognition
Your accomplishments, contributions and hard work will not go unnoticed as a member of UCAC. NUCA puts out an annual call for award nominations with winners celebrated at the NUCA Annual Meeting. NUCA Award categories include Excellence in Underground, Safety, Ditchdigger of the Year and Associate Member of the Year. In 2023, UCAC is launching a formal awards program to recognize the many amazing contributions made by professionals in our industry right here in Connecticut. We will put out a call for nominations in February with an Awards Gala held in conjunction with our Annual Meeting in May/June.
Join Today
MEMBERSHIP DUES SCHEDULE – FOR CONTRACTORS ONLY
Our dues are based on total annual revenue from underground utility and site work in the previous calendar year. The term “Utility Contractor,” “Utility Contracting Industry,” or “Industry” includes: all activities of utility contractors who are engaged in such work as the construction of utility lines including but not limited to metallic and nonmetallic pipe for storm and sanitary sewers and drainage, water lines, cables, ducts, conduits, site work and all other utility work and projects related to drainage, sanitation, sewage, disposal, irrigation, flood control, water supply and similar utility construction work whether such work is or is not part of, or incidental to, building construction and/or improvement, and whether such work is inside or outside of property lines, on public or private property, on or off streets or highways or on or off building or other construction sites. (Article II, Section I, UCAC Bylaws, November 10, 2010)
Annual Revenue Dues
$0 to $500,000: $1700
$500,001 to $1 million: $1800
$1,000,001 to $2 million: $2000
$2,000,001 to $5 million: $2900
$5,000,001 to $10 million: $4000
$10,000,001 and up: $5000
*Out of state contractors are assessed at half their volume. Ask about multi-state or multi-location (in-state) discounts.
Specialty Contractor (any company that employs labor on the job site, but does not bid or perform any utility construction or excavation work) $910
Associate Membership (vendors) $1100
Affiliate Membership (municipalities, N/P) $320