PICO Y PALA

Insights, Innovation & Advocacy for Hispanic Construction

Step into Pico y Pala, the National Hispanic Construction Alliance (NHCA) blog where we break ground on critical conversations and innovative ideas shaping the construction industry. Named after the pick and shovel that start every project, our blog is dedicated to cultivating a space for growth, empowerment, and advocacy. Here, we share unique perspectives, practical insights, and connect our diverse community – from every laborer to every engineer – committed to advancing Hispanic representation and success in construction.

The Future Is Ours to Build—Together

LAST WEEK MARKED ANOTHER MILESTONE FOR NHCA—WE SURPASSED 2,000 MEMBERS NATIONWIDE. Northern California is making its final push toward board formation, and Charlotte officially launched its chapter with an incredible kickoff event. As we continue our drive to establish 15 chapters and reach over 5,000 members by the end of the year, we’re deeply inspired by […]

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Estamos aquí y vamos en camino!

We are here and we are on our way! Over the past 24 months, I’ve had the opportunity to travel the country and see firsthand the incredible work being done by local and regional organizations to support young people entering the construction trades. It’s been inspiring to see both young individuals and career changers find […]

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How Contractors Can Protect Themselves from Rising Construction Costs

Last week, I attended an event hosted by the NHCA’s San Diego chapter focused on best practices for bidding and estimating on residential and commercial construction projects. One theme came through loud and clear: contractors are worried about how to protect themselves in the face of rising construction costs. With inflation, ongoing supply chain disruptions, and […]

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Fear, Uncertainty, and the Cost of Inaction on Immigration

Last week, I had a conversation with someone in the banking industry. They mentioned a growing trend—customers, particularly Hispanic account holders using Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), were pulling large sums of money out of their bank accounts. For those unfamiliar, an ITIN is issued by the IRS to individuals who aren’t eligible for a […]

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Construction Costs Are Climbing—Even Without New Canadian Lumber Tariffs

Last week, NHCA was contacted by a major national television network for a live interview in anticipation of newly announced tariffs. As soon as we were approached, we began analyzing key construction data sets to offer some insight into how these tariffs could impact our industry. At the time, the expectation was that a range […]

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NHCA’s Role in Addressing the Growing Challenges in Housing and Construction.

Last week, NHCA traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in NAHREP’s Homeownership and Housing Policy Conference. With over a thousand attendees, the event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with key stakeholders in the real estate and housing production sectors. However, this year, there was a noticeable shift in focus—housing production took center stage like […]

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