The American Institute of Architects is lobbying the U.S. Congress for a multimillion-dollar stimulus package to boost the construction industry, which has been hard hit by the nationwide credit crisis, the Baltimore Business Journal reports.

“The inability to get financing for construction projects is a key reason that business conditions continue to be so poor at design firms,” AIA chief economist Kermit Baker said in a recent statement. “It will be important to see what the proposed economic stimulus package includes that is geared towards the construction industry, and how quickly developers who have projects on hold can get them moving again.”

The AIA is asking for a $100 billion package, which will go toward repairs, renovations, and energy efficiency upgrades in such structures as school houses, government buildings, and transit facilities, as well as toward infrastructure projects.