AGC of Tennessee

What AGC of Tennessee does

AGC of Tennessee, operating as AGC East Tennessee (legal entity: Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee, Inc.), is a non-profit regional trade association and chapter of AGC of America, founded in 1927 and headquartered at 2225 Roanoke Avenue in Chattanooga. The association serves the commercial construction industry across 22 counties in southeast Tennessee, representing 240+ member organizations encompassing general contractors, specialty contractors and subcontractors, and affiliate suppliers and service providers — collectively accounting for an estimated 6,500–7,000 industry employees. AGC's core functions are membership-based: it provides industry advocacy, networking events, professional education, and member benefit programs including access to a digital plan room, workers' compensation coverage through CompTrust AGC, retirement plans through Mutual of America, and member discount programs (Autodesk, Procore, Arcoro).

AGC's revenue model is fundamentally subscription-based. General Contractor membership dues are tiered by company annual revenue and range from $2,400 to $11,000 per year; Associate members pay a flat $1,600 annual dues; Affiliates have their own dues structure. Membership is company-wide, so all employees of member firms are included. Secondary revenue streams include event fees ($15 lunch-and-learns through $400–$600 per-session certification programs), advertising and sponsorship revenue from website banners, weekly e-newsletters, daily plan room emails, and a printed chapter magazine and directory (placements priced from $200 to $2,000), and administrative fee revenue from member benefit referral programs. AGC drives member acquisition and engagement through a sales-led, event-driven go-to-market, operating more than 50 annual events including member meetings, GC Meet & Greets, Construction Leadership Council activities, the BIG PIG BBQ Festival, and the Southeast Construction Leadership Conference.

The organization's flagship operational asset is the Construction Career Center (CCC), a $10 million, 30,000-square-foot vocational school opened in October 2022 in partnership with Hamilton County Schools, TCAT/Chattanooga State, the City of Chattanooga, and Hamilton County Government. The CCC trains up to 200 high school juniors and seniors plus adult learners annually in construction trades, awarding up to 18 NCCER and OSHA-10 industry-recognized credentials per graduate and supporting up to 32 college credit hours toward a Construction Management degree, with a stated 100% job placement rate for eligible graduates. The CCC model received AGC of America's 2023 National Workforce Development Award, attracted a $9 million Bloomberg Philanthropies grant for replication into two additional Chattanooga high schools, and was complemented in 2025 by the launch of the Builder's Blueprint contractor-licensure program. Beyond the CCC, AGC offers the 12-session Construction Leadership Course, a 5-session Superintendent Training Program leading to AGC of America certification, AGC Edge live virtual classes (including AI and BIM topics), BLOC/CLC networking for professionals under 40, and more than $600,000 in cumulative scholarship awards to construction-track college students.

Name

AGC of Tennessee

Legal name

Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee

Website

https://agcetn.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AGC of Tennessee (AGC East Tennessee) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1927 serving 240+ commercial construction member firms across 22 southeast Tennessee counties, providing advocacy, networking, professional education, member benefits, and operating the $10M Construction Career Center vocational training facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Chattanooga

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues are the primary revenue source. General Contractor members pay annual dues ranging from $2,400 to $11,000 based on annual revenue. Associate members (specialty contractors/subcontractors) pay $1,600 annually. Affiliate members (suppliers, service providers, law firms, financial institutions, insurance providers, equipment houses) have their own dues structure. Membership provides access to all AGC East Tennessee benefits and membership in AGC of America.
2. Event Fees: Revenue from registration fees for member meetings, training courses, networking events, Construction Leadership Course, Superintendent Training Program, and the annual Leadership Summit. Event fees range from $15 for lunch-and-learn sessions to $400-600 per session for certification programs.
3. Advertising and Sponsorships: Advertising revenue from digital publications, website banners, e-newsletter placements, and plan room email advertising. Sponsorship revenue from chapter sponsors, event sponsors, and the GC Meet & Greet vendor booth program.
4. Member Discount Programs: Through AGC of America and AGC East Tennessee, members have access to discounts on fuel, fleets, phone service, equipment, uniforms, office supplies, shipping, and construction-related programs like Autodesk, Procore, and Arcoro. These programs generate revenue through administrative arrangements with vendors and help retain members by providing tangible cost savings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AGC of Tennessee (operating as AGC East Tennessee) is a regional trade association and chapter of AGC of America that provides membership, advocacy, professional education, networking events, and workforce development services to commercial construction firms in southeast Tennessee. It represents 240+ member companies and approximately 7,000 employees across 22 counties, and operates the Construction Career Center, a 30,000-sf vocational school for construction trades.

Product overview

AGC of Tennessee operates as a trade association offering a portfolio of workforce development and professional education programs. The core offerings include the Construction Career Center (CCC), a 30,000-sf vocational school providing construction trades training for high school students and adults with job placement services, and the Builder's Blueprint Program for aspiring licensed contractors. Professional development is delivered through AGC Edge Classes (live virtual training), the Superintendent Training Program (certification), and the Construction Leadership Course. The Construction Leadership Council (BLOC) provides networking for young professionals. All programs work together to build a skilled construction workforce pipeline from student outreach through career placement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Construction Career Center: Vocational school for construction trades serving high school students and adult learners
• Builders Blueprint
• Building Leaders of Construction (BLOC)
• AGC University
• Construction Leadership Course
• Women of Steel

Products and services

• Construction Career Center (CCC) A 30,000-sf vocational school for construction trades serving high school students (11th-12th grade) and adult learners, offering industry certifications, NCCER credentials, OSHA-10 training, and career placement services with a goal of 100% job placement for graduates.
• Builder's Blueprint Program A contractor development program that helps construction workers obtain Tennessee Residential General Contractors License, providing business training, mentorship, and up to $10,400 in licensing bonding assistance for eligible participants in qualifying Chattanooga zip codes.
• AGC Edge Classes Live virtual training and professional development courses covering Project Management, Estimating, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Construction Leadership, Safety and Risk Management, Supervisory Skills, BIM, Blueprint Reading, LEAN Construction, and more.
• Superintendent Training Program In-depth certification program for construction superintendents covering Planning & Scheduling, Contract Documents, Productivity and Project Costs, Managing Risk, and Leadership/Motivation/Communication, resulting in Certification in Superintendent Training from AGC of America. Priced at $400 per session for AGC members ($600 for non-members) across 5 sessions.
• Construction Leadership Course 12-session course designed by contractor executives exposing leaders to construction business management facets including personal leadership development, construction law, ethics, and innovation and technology. Priced at $1,300 for AGC members and $1,900 for non-members.
• Construction Leadership Council (CLC) / Building Leaders of Construction (BLOC) Networking and leadership development program for construction professionals under 40, offering collaboration opportunities, business development resources, philanthropy initiatives, and mentorship programs for emerging industry leaders.
• Scholarship Program Scholarship program providing up to $2,000 per semester for college students pursuing construction-related degrees, with over $600,000 awarded to date, requiring internship at an AGC member organization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 140 students per year to be graduated by end of year 3 of CCC operation
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Hamilton County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey educational partner in launching the Construction Career Center (CCC). Hamilton County Schools provides 11th and 12th grade students for the dual enrollment vocational program at the CCC. AGC East Tennessee works with school advisory boards to guide curriculum and projects that lead to job placement.
• Tennessee College for Applied Technology (TCAT) / Chattanooga State Community CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTCAT/Chattanooga State provides adult learner programs at the Construction Career Center. The CCC offers certification training, instruction, and mentorship for adults interested in construction careers. Graduates are connected with construction employers. TCAT students brought home silver medals in carpentry and masonry in the statewide Skills USA Competition.
• City of ChattanoogacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government partner in establishing the Construction Career Center and Builder's Blueprint program. The City donated 1.5 acres next to the CCC for future campus expansion and awarded $175,000 in grant funding for the Builder's Blueprint contractor development program.
• Hamilton County GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in establishing the Construction Career Center. Hamilton County government collaborated with AGC East Tennessee, Hamilton County Schools, TCAT, and the City of Chattanooga to create the $10 million vocational school.
• AGC TennesseecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGC East Tennessee partners with its sister association, AGC Tennessee, to monitor state legislation and coordinate on legislative priorities affecting the construction industry. AGC East Tennessee serves as the primary watchdog for legislative issues at the local level.
• Chattanooga Chamber of CommercemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGC East Tennessee is represented on the Chattanooga Chamber's Public Policy Committee and Board of Directors. Collaboration on advocacy, workforce development, and economic development initiatives.
• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGC East Tennessee is the master trainer for NCCER curriculum, training instructors each year across the region in high schools and community colleges. AGC actively encourages school systems to use NCCER as part of their curriculum. CCC students can earn 18 industry-recognized credentials through NCCER.
• State of TennesseemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level partner supporting workforce development. Governor Bill Lee proposed the Tennessee Works Scholarship to support TCAT enrollment at CCC and other construction programs. AGC East Tennessee members advocated for funding to support ongoing operations of the Construction Career Center.
• ACE MentorshipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGC East Tennessee serves on the ACE Mentorship Board of Directors, supporting architecture, construction, and engineering mentorship programs for students.
• AGC of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGC East Tennessee is a chapter of AGC of America, the leading association for the construction industry with 89 chapters coast to coast and more than 27,000 member companies. Members of AGC East Tennessee automatically receive membership in AGC of America with access to national conferences, business discounts, data and resources, federal representation, and connectivity with members across the country.
• CompTrust AGCmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompetitive workers compensation program exclusively for AGC members, designed by contractors for contractors with coverage in all 50 states, robust dividends, free safety training and support, backed by A.M. Best A+ and S&P A+ ratings.
• Mutual of AmericamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 401(k) plan through a multi-employer plan that allows AGC East Tennessee members to offer employees retirement benefits with cost savings and reduced administrative burden. No annual audit, no individual Form 5500 reporting, and Mutual of America handles all paperwork.
• University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAGC East Tennessee helped fund and launch the Construction Management program at UTC, and serves on the UTC Advisory Board. AGC Student Chapters are active at UTC, and CLC members mentor students there.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): National construction trade association representing merit shop (open shop) contractors, suppliers, and service providers. Directly competes with AGC chapters for the same construction industry member base, offering overlapping networking, training, and advocacy services.
• AGC of Tennessee: State-level sister chapter referenced in the data as AGC Tennessee, monitoring state legislation and coordinating on legislative priorities. Operates as a parallel trade association covering Tennessee with overlapping membership and member companies in common.
• Associated Builders and Contractors of Tennessee: State-level ABC chapter that competes with AGC East Tennessee for the same Tennessee construction industry members. Provides overlapping training, networking, and advocacy services targeted at Tennessee contractors and suppliers.
• AGC of Missouri: Another regional AGC of America chapter providing comparable services (networking, advocacy, training, workforce development) to commercial construction members within its territory. Useful benchmark for chapter-level scale, programming, and member engagement.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): National trade association for residential and commercial building, remodeling, and development. While primarily residential, NAHB offers overlapping networking, advocacy, and education services for builders and contractors across the broader construction industry.
• AGC of America: National parent association of which AGC East Tennessee is a chapter. Operates as the leading national construction trade association with 89 chapters and 27,000+ member companies, providing federal advocacy, national conferences, and shared resources to regional chapters.

Regional players

• Home Builders Association of Tennessee: State home builders association providing networking and advocacy for residential construction professionals in Tennessee. Comparable in mission and trade association model, though focused on residential rather than commercial construction.
• Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce: Regional business association serving the broader Chattanooga business community. AGC East Tennessee is represented on its Public Policy Committee, indicating partnership but also overlapping economic development and advocacy functions across the same regional business members.

Emerging players

• SkillsUSA: National nonprofit serving middle school, high school, and college students preparing for careers in skilled trades, including construction. Operates the SkillsUSA Championships referenced in CCC outcomes; comparable as a construction trades workforce development organization.

Others

• NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research): National credentialing body for construction trades, of which AGC East Tennessee is the regional Master Trainer. Not a direct competitor but a comparable construction industry education and certification organization whose curriculum drives the CCC's industry-recognized credentials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCeHiCQYLhA_fq03V2fmmtuA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AGCEastTennessee
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agc-of-east-tennessee
• Instagraminstagram.com/agcetn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AGC of Tennessee