The Chico State chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America received first place in America’s 2014 Outstanding Student Chapter Contest.

The award is given to chapters nationally that demonstrate dedication to their community and public service projects. Chico’s chapter was awarded $1,500 for its project dedicated to the Ann and Emmett Skinner Transitional Living Center for the Salvation Army.

“This project allows families and individuals to re-establish themselves within the comfort of these houses for up to 18 months,” said Chico State senior and chapter vice president Jimmy Bryars, “giving them the opportunity to re-enter into the community with stability, re-unite with their children, find a job and continue rehabilitation on an outpatient basis.”

Twenty students completed the “Blitz Build” project in eight days during their spring break. Students were involved in all aspects of the build, including schematic designs, planning job site safety and obtaining proper permits. The student labor contribution value was estimated at more than $100,000.

Chico State’s Associated General Contractors group was previously awarded first place in 2010 for building transitional housing for domestic violence victims and in 2012 for rebuilding four homes destroyed by a tornado in Missouri.

The chapter ranked third in 2009 for constructing storage units for victims of the Concow fires and in 2011 for the continuation of its 2010 project.

Jenice Tupolo can be reached at [email protected] or @JayTupolo on Twitter.