Rosemont, Ill.—To help address roofing professionals’ business concerns during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the National Roofing Contractors Association led an industrywide effort March 19 to send a letter to President Trump asking the administration to provide clear guidance to states regarding essential industry and essential worker designations.

In the letter, NRCA and affiliate organizations requested guidance from the administration clarifying essential businesses, services and workers be issued to state and local governments and explained why the guidance should recognize the role of the roofing industry in protecting U.S. families and employers. The letter noted the roofing industry’s economic contributions exceed $100 billion, and more than 1 million workers are employed by manufacturers, raw material suppliers, distributors and roofing contractors throughout the U.S. Roofing professionals are integral to making and installing products that protect hospitals, grocery stores, pharmacies and other businesses providing critical care and resources to Americans, as well as residential buildings in which families are being asked to shelter in place. In addition, the letter noted the roofing industry must be able to quickly respond to the impacts extreme weather and natural disasters may inflict on homes and buildings during the spring and summer months.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, EPDM Roofing Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association, Single Ply Roofing Industry and the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance joined NRCA in signing the letter.

Each regional, state and local NRCA affiliate received the letter with permission to use it as a template to communicate the roofing industry’s message to state governments. The letter also is available at files.nrca.net/files/pdf/resources/essential-business-letter.pdf.

For the latest information and resources during the COVID-19 crisis, visit NRCA’s COVID-19 Resources for Roofing Contractors webpage at www.nrca.net/covid-19-resources-for-roofing-contractors.

Since 1886, the National Roofing Contractors Association has been the home for generations of entrepreneurial craftsmen and enterprises who shelter and protect America's families and businesses and each other. Our vision is the recognition of our members as professionals and to unite the industry to that purpose. NRCA is one of the construction industry's most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit www.nrca.net.