FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Under the Leadership of Maine’s Rod Wiles, ABMA Submits Key Recommendations to Senate Appropriations Committee and Joins National Coalition Advocating for Main Street Businesses

Rensselaer, N.Y. – Under the leadership of Chair Rod Wiles, a proud resident of Skowhegan, Maine, the American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA) has submitted formal recommendations to Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. This effort underscores ABMA’s commitment to supporting family-owned lumber and building materials (LBM) businesses across Maine and the organization’s 17-state territory.

Senator Susan Collins (center) meets with ABMA Chair Rod Wiles (Hammond Lumber Company) and Maine industry leaders during ABMA Advocacy Day 2024 in Washington, D.C.

In addition to submitting its recommendations, ABMA joined a coalition of more than 230 trade associations in signing a letter to Senator Steve Daines and Representative Lloyd Smucker supporting the Main Street Tax Certainty Act of 2025. This legislation would make permanent the 20% deduction for small- and family-owned businesses (Section 199A), a critical provision for pass-through entities that employ millions of private-sector workers.

With over 100 member locations in Maine, ABMA represents businesses that are pillars of local economies—many with deep-rooted histories in their communities. These businesses provide stable, good-paying, entry-level jobs that often evolve into lifelong careers, all while reinvesting in their towns and strengthening economic development.

The ABMA’s submission to the Senate Appropriations Committee focuses on two critical tax policies essential to the success of LBM businesses:

• Bonus Depreciation (Full Expensing): ABMA advocates for the retroactive extension of full expensing, as outlined in H.R. 7024 of 2024. This provision enables businesses to immediately deduct the cost of major capital investments, such as forklifts and delivery trucks, boosting growth and operational efficiency.
• Sec. 199A Deduction for S-Corporations: The organization urges Congress to extend this vital 20% deduction for pass-through entities, set to expire at the end of 2025. This deduction is critical for maintaining tax fairness and sustaining payroll, operations, and community investments.

ABMA Chair Rod Wiles, Senator Susan Collins, and ABMA member David Gluck during a Capitol Hill report hosted by the New England Council.

“Family-owned lumber and building materials businesses are the lifeblood of our communities,” said Rod Wiles. “Having seen firsthand the transformative impact these businesses have on our towns in Maine, I am proud to lead ABMA’s efforts to advocate for tax policies that empower them to grow, innovate, and provide opportunities for workers and families across our state and beyond.”

Senator Collins, a Maine native and long-time small business champion, has consistently supported policies that benefit local economies. ABMA’s recommendations build on this shared dedication, emphasizing the need to foster economic resilience and stability in Maine and across the ABMA’s territory.

“These business-friendly tax policies are essential for reinvesting in operations, employees, and the communities we serve,” added Wiles. “By working alongside a coalition of over 230 trade associations, ABMA amplifies the voice of small businesses, ensuring that Congress takes swift action to extend these vital provisions.”

ABMA remains steadfast in its mission to advocate for the needs of small and medium-sized LBM businesses. The organization will continue working closely with Senator Collins and other federal policymakers to ensure that these critical tax provisions are preserved and extended.

About the ABMA

The American Building Materials Alliance (ABMA), established in August 2021, is a coalition of unified voices advocating on behalf of the lumber and building materials (LBM) industry at the federal level. ABMA represents LBM dealers and associated businesses across 17 states and Washington, D.C., including Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, D.C.

ABMA’s mission is to advance, shape, and influence policy across all branches of government. Working directly with Congress, the White House, and federal agencies, ABMA strives to ensure that the legislative and regulatory process benefits the LBM industry. The organization is powered by the Northeastern Retail Lumber Association (NRLA) and the Construction Suppliers Association (CSA).

Contact: