Journals

Biden-Harris Administration Launches $1 Billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Program To Enhance Energy Systems in Rural and Remote Communities

The Biden-Harris Administration, through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on a new $1 billion program to improve energy generation in rural or remote communities across the country. Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program…

Black Buffalo 3D Global Industry First: Internationally Coded Solution for 3D Construction Printing

Black Buffalo 3D Corporation, a leading provider of large-scale 3D printers for construction, recently announced that its NEXCON printers and proprietary 3D concrete ink mix—sold through its partner MAPEI Corporation as PlanitopTM 3D in North America—have been approved by the ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), meeting AC509 requirements for 3D printed bearing, nonbearing, and shear walls…

The Pioneering Wireless Crane Camera by Scarlet Is Expected To Improve Construction Site Safety and Boost Productivity

Scarlet Tech, a leading instrumentation and construction technology company, recently announced the launch of the Hercules Wireless Hook Crane Camera System. Hercules is a crane safety monitoring equipment for tower cranes, luffing cranes, mobile cranes, and other heavy-duty cranes. The whole system is an active safety technology that provides crane operators and safety managers with…

RRC Completes Successful Year Exceeding Goals To Protect Texas, Maximize Resources

With Fiscal Year 2022 in the books, the Railroad Commission continued its track record of surpassing critical goals that help protect public safety and the environment while also helping the state maximize the use of its natural resources. The RRC – which regulates the state’s oil and gas industry; critical natural gas infrastructure; intrastate pipelines;…

Contractors: What Does Fútbol Have To Do With Permitting?

By Helen Callier, Contributing Writer A few months ago, I was a featured workshop speaker providing insights and tips for navigating the construction industry. Most folks that have heard me speak before or have read any of my articles know that I am a storyteller sharing real-life stories from experiences from projects and often makes…

US Department of Labor Announces the Selection of OSHA Training Institute Education Centers

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the addition of a new organization to its OSHA Training Institute Education Center network and the renewal of 25 existing education centers. OTI Education Centers are non-profit organizations that offer training courses on OSHA standards and occupational safety and health topics to workers and…

OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program

OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program offers no-cost and confidential occupational safety and health services to small- and medium-sized businesses in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-Site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies…

The Upcoming Annual Bexar County Business Conference Continues To Connect Small Businesses To Opportunities for Success

Bexar County’s Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department (SBED), led by Renee Watson, continues its concerted effort to connect small businesses with billions of dollars in contracting opportunities. One of the SBED’s initiatives serving Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran Business Owners (SMWVBO) is its annual Bexar County Business Conference held on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at…

ISSUE 80

November 2022

AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Doing Business With CapMetro

CapMetro has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program in accordance with regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 49 CFR Part 26. CapMetro’s overall DBE goal for FY2020-22 is 19% of the Federal financial assistance expended in DOT-assisted contracts, exclusive of FTA funds to be used for the purchase of transit vehicles. It…

Entrepreneurial Equity: METRO Expands Efforts To Support Business Owners

METRO’s Board of Directors voted recently to create two programs to ensure equal access and opportunity for veterans and people living with a disability seeking to do business with the Authority. The Veteran Owned Business Enterprise (VOBE) and the Disability Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) programs will be run by the Office of Economic Business Opportunity,…

Architecture Firm Billings Grow at a Slower Pace

While architecture firm billings grew for the 18th consecutive month in July, the pace of growth continued to slow. The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 51.0 for the month is the lowest since January and marks the fourth straight month with a lower score than the previous month. With a variety of economic storm…

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…