The Associated Building Contractors remained a small organization until the great construction boom of the 50's, when it increased in size and scope. The Association became a chartered Associated General Contractors' (AGC) chapter in 1954. It was at that time that Associated Building Contractors became the Northern Illinois Building Contractors Association (NIBCA). NIBCA now covered nine northwestern Illinois counties and required a full time staff. It quickly became the largest construction association in northern Illinois and added safety programs, joint union-management trusteeships, legislative action committees and educational programs to its growing agenda.