METRO’s Board of Directors has recently unanimously approved an updated policy that guides how it advances Joint Development and Transit Oriented Development (TOD) initiatives. TOD is high-density development within walking distance of a transit station with diverse uses such as housing, employment, shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It creates walkable, mixed-use spaces near high-quality public transportation…
Recently, the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA) announced San Antonio winners: Elaiza Alvarez, with Lockwood, Andrews, and Newnam, awarded Woman of the Year A/E/C, and Sherrika Arch with Straight Line Management A/E/C Firm of the Year. The Award ceremony was held at the Marriot Riverwalk Hotel with remarks by RHCA President and CEO John Martinez,…
A measure of construction contractors’ bid prices moved sharply higher in October as firms coped with ongoing supply-chain challenges and a tight labor market, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released recently. Association officials said rising construction costs threaten to undermine demand for projects and urged administration…
Construction employment increased in 269 of 358 metro areas between September 2021 and September 2022, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. But association officials noted that those job gains could stall as the industry faces a growing list of challenges, including labor shortages, rising materials…
Historically, apprentices played an important role in developing and supporting the early economy of the United States. In fact, George Washington was an apprentice surveyor and Benjamin Franklin was an apprentice printer. Today, apprentices continue to make critical contributions to our country’s economy, infrastructure, and industry. While apprenticeships thrive across a range of industries, the construction…
The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced $13 billion in new financing opportunities for the expansion and modernization of the nation’s electric grid. Funded by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Grid Resilience Innovative Partnership (GRIP) program and the Transmission Facilitation Program together represent the largest single direct federal investment…
The electric off-highway equipment market is estimated to grow from USD 9.2 billion in 2022 to USD 24.8 billion by 2027 at a CAGR of 22.0% over the forecast period. All key countries have established programs/regulations to deal with GHG emissions in the transportation industry. Most countries follow Euro equivalent Standards, such as Stage IV…
Bringing Innovative Strategies To Supplier Diversity Programs The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) is unwavering in taking action to bringkey corporate leaders together across industries for solutions, leaving an impactful footprint as it pushes growthfor Minority Business Enterprises and drives excellence in supplier diversity and supplier development. Though there has been growth in the…
The American Petroleum Institute (API) recently released a new analysis of the benefits of low-carbon hydrogen produced from natural gas. The study, commissioned by API and conducted by ICF, found that hydrogen produced from natural gas with carbon capture and produced from electricity and other energy sources could eliminate an additional 180 million metric tons…
By Helen Callier, Contributing Writer “Play ball” is two words you should remember going into 2023. I enjoy networking with contractors, developers, and others in the construction industry. I recently attended the American Turkic Real Estate and Construction Summit in Houston and here’s the bottom line for the 2023 economy in Texas and in the…
The global Workplace Safety market size is projected to reach 30.4 Billion USD by 2028, from 13.1 Billion USD in 2021, at a CAGR of 12.8% during 2022-2028. Some of the factors influencing Workplace Safety market expansion include rising workplace injuries and tight industrial health and safety requirements. TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE WORKPLACE…
Texas Transportation Commissioner Laura Ryan and Houston Independent School District officials recently joined TxDOT Houston District Engineer Eliza Paul, P.E. Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officials, the Kailee Mills Foundation, and students at the Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy of Houston to urge the public’s help to end the streak of traffic fatalities in…
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration, or FTA, has recently awarded CapMetro with $20 million as part of its Bus and Bus Facilities Grant Program. The funding will go toward establishing a permanent North Demand Response Operations and Maintenance facility. “As CapMetro continues to grow as an agency and as a regional partner,…
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has launched a new pilot program that will substantially increase the agency’s commitment to riders to provide a safe and clean transit experience. The DART Clean Team Initiative will utilize onboard contract cleaning personnel from the United Community of Faith to remove trash and debris aboard DART light rail vehicles…
The Unified Transportation Program (UTP) is TxDOT’s 10-year plan that guides the development of transportation work across the state. Organized into 12 funding categories, with each one addressing a specific type of work, the UTP authorizes the distribution of construction dollars expected to be available over the next 10 years. Within the UTP framework, TxDOT…
Governor Greg Abbott recently announced the adoption of the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) 2023 Unified Transportation Program (UTP), advancing a record $85 billion, 10-year statewide roadway construction plan. The 2023 UTP reflects an unprecedented level of projected transportation funding dedicated to improving transportation safety, addressing congestion and rural connectivity, and preserving roadways for Texas…
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) By the Numbers report for 2021 showcases the annual performance of the architecture and engineering firm signatories of the 2030 Commitment. The By the Numbers report can be explored on AIA’s website at AIA.org. With buildings contributing almost 40 percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, architecture and design firms…
Demand for design services from U.S. architecture firms grew at an accelerated pace in August, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for August rose to 53.3 compared to 51.0 in July (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). During August, the…
The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction jumped 12.6 percent in September from a year earlier despite a dip of 0.2 percent last month, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released recently. Association officials note that the construction industry was suffering the most from…
Jobs come, and jobs go. There isn’t much of a call for harpooners on whaling ships anymore. Of course, ten years ago, most people couldn’t imagine anyone working as a cryptocurrency investigator. It’s not just innovation, though. Economic forces can squeeze people right out of certain fields. With a recession looming or already here, MerchantMaverick.com…
