Articles

  • Construction Input Costs Decrease 1.1 Percent Amid Falling Fuel Prices, but Other Goods and Some Services Continue Upward Price Trend

    The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction declined by 1.1 percent from July to August as a steep drop in fuel prices masked increases in the cost of other construction inputs, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released recently. Association officials cautioned that limited…

  • Best Recruitment Strategies for Construction Companies

    The top recruitment strategies for construction recruiting include but are not limited to building a great company brand that candidates are attracted to, sourcing great talent in new ways, interviewing appropriately, and continuing to train your new hires. Construction companies’ recruitment strategies have never been more critical. In fact, Brent Darnell International, a company that…

  • Austin Energy News: Seven Ways Public Power Makes Austin Better

    The secret is out. The Austin area is a great place to be. But Austin hasn’t grown to international status on its own. Austin Energy, the City’s publicly owned electric utility, has supported the area every step of the way. Since 1895, they have powered the community, delivering safe, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer…

  • October Celebrates Public Power Week

    Public power utilities across the U.S. celebrate Public Power Week the first full week of October every year to help customers and stakeholders understand how they can better engage with their community-owned utility and benefit from all its offerings. Public power utilities are community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that safely provide reliable, low-cost electricity to more…

  • Optimize Costs With MCA Managed Services

    By Paul Stoessel, MCA Communications  It always costs more to react to a problem than to proactively prevent one. Yet, business managers tend to resist investing in a Proactive Service Agreement to ensure their systems are well maintained. Through the illusion of saving money, organizations end up assuming all the liability for the moment their…

  • Associated Builders and Contractors Announces 2022-2023 Tech Alliance Members

    Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recently announced the members of its third annual Tech Alliance—a consortium of firms that create construction technology and innovative solutions for ABC contractor members, the majority of which primarily perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors. “These technology and innovation allies of ABC are leaders in the construction innovation…

  • Job Growth News: Texas Upstream Oil and Natural Gas Sector

    Data released by the Texas Workforce Commission indicates that upstream oil and natural gas employment grew in August by 2,600 jobs from July. July’s gains were revised down to a still-solid 3,100 jobs added. “Upstream employment is growing steadily alongside the world’s demand for affordable, reliable energy.  The Texas oil and natural gas industry continue…

  • 5 Permitting Tips for Public Works Contractors

    By Helen Callier, Contributing Writer   It is always a great feeling to sign a new contract.  Be it for a commercial or public project, the sound of hearing the words, “You have been awarded XYZ job” is sweet music.  This was apparent when I was recently picking up a package at the post office. A…

  • METRO & the Interagency Mentor Protégé Program Partners Continue Their Collaboration to Advance, Strengthen & Drive the Small Business Community

    By Subcontractors USA News Provider In keeping with METRO’s commitment to providing contracting opportunities to all businesses, on September 22, 2022, METRO’s Board of Directors adopted a Veteran-Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE) Program and a Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) Program. These new programs are in addition to the existing and successful Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and…

  • The Houston Minority Supplier Development Council Continues to Bridge the Gap Between Buying Entities and MBEs 

    The 2022 EXPO Provides MBEs With Opportunities for EXPOnential Growth By Subcontractors USA News Provider Under the leadership of President Ingrid M. Robinson, the Houston Minority Supplier Development Council (HMSDC) continues to combat the challenges MBEs face with a commitment to seeing these businesses succeed.Since its founding in 1973, this nonprofit organization has remained a…

  • 5 Permitting Tips for Public Works Contractors

    By Helen Callier, Contributing Writer   It is always a great feeling to sign a new contract.  Be it for a commercial or public project, the sound of hearing the words, “You have been awarded XYZ job” is sweet music.  This was apparent when I was recently picking up a package at the post office. A…

  • OSHA Reveals Top 10 Safety Violations for Fiscal Year 2022 at NSC Safety Congress & Expo 

    The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced recently its preliminary Top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety standards for fiscal year 2022. NSC Safety+Health Associate Editor Kevin Druley introduced Patrick Kapust, acting director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, who presented the list during the 2022 NSC Safety Congress & Expo, the world’s largest annual…

  • COS Announces Winners of the 2022 Safety Leadership Awards

    The Center for Offshore Safety (COS) has announced the winners of the 2022 Safety Leadership Awards during its Annual Safety Forum. The awards recognize companies for their outstanding leadership in developing safety management and performance practices and projects that advance the offshore industry’s culture of safety. “This year’s winners leveraged research and experience to develop…

  • DART Welcomes Charles Cato as New DART Chief of Police

    After an extensive national search, Charles Cato has been selected as the new chief of police at Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). A public safety executive with almost 33 years of law enforcement and leadership experience, Cato will direct and oversee the DART Police Department including sworn officers, emergency preparedness, security services, and related functions…

  • Port Houston Moves Forward on Sustainability Action Plan

    In its latest sustainability move, Port Houston announced an agreement with Shell to explore opportunities to work together to meet the Port’s strategic goals in the areas of sustainability, resilience, and carbon reduction.  Port Houston and Shell signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines a shared intention to explore key energy, mobility, and decarbonization…

  • Program Helps Progress 2030 Diversity Challenge 

    The National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) completed its fourth class of 20 architecture students as the 2022 summer cohort of the NOMA Foundation Fellowship (NFF). The NFF is a two-month summer fellowship hosted at leading architecture firms across the country where fellows engage in design research and benefit from firm mentorship. NFF provides professional…

  • New Federal Project Labor Agreement Rule Will Prevent Most Firms From Bidding on Federal Construction Projects and Hurt Minority Firms

    The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, released the following statement in response to the release of new federal rules that will soon require procurement officials to impose project labor agreements for federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more: “Today’s proposed rules requiring procurement officials to…