Journals

Construction Materials Costs Rise 10.1 Percent Between November 2021 and November 2022 With Double-Digit Increases in Numerous Building Products

The price of materials and services used in nonresidential construction continued rising at a double-digit rate in November from a year earlier, propelled by outsized increases in the cost of a variety of building materials, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of government data released today. Association officials noted that…

A Leader in Diversity Programming: Kellie Irving, Deputy Assistant Director for the City of Houston HAS-OBO

Enhancing the HAS-OBO’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion According to the latest figures (2022) from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), there are 3,110,293 (3.1 million) small businesses in Texas. Small businesses are looking for lucrative opportunities to grow, expand, and contribute to the stimulation of our local economy. The Office of Business Opportunity…

ISSUE 82

January 2023

San Antonio Energy News: CPS Energy Hosts Small Business Opportunity Events for Local Contractors

CPS Energy will host a Small Business Opportunity Event as part of ongoing efforts to support the local business economy. The San Antonio City Council recently approved the new Sustainable Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP), which paves the way for CPS Energy to weatherize up to 16,000 homes and 20,000 multifamily units. Over the next five…

U.S. Department of Energy Releases County-by-County Data Detailing Energy Jobs Data

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently and for the first time released county-level data from its 2022 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) — a comprehensive study designed to track and understand broad employment trends across the energy sector and within key energy technologies. The county-by-county data provides a look at the geographic distribution…

Construction Management Software Market News

Data Bridge Market research has recently published comprehensive business research on “Global Construction Management Software Market” which includes historic data, present market trends, future product environment, marketing strategies, technological innovation, upcoming technologies, emerging trends or opportunities, and the technical progress in the related industry. Construction Management Software Market research report execution is becoming very vital…

Oil & Gas News: Christian Applauds Senate Takedown of ESG

The Senate Committee on State Affairs held a hearing recently in Marshall, Texas, investigating the expansion of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) movement. Texas is leading the fight to halt ESG practices, a woke investment strategy that places a priority on subjective environmental and social metrics instead of financial metrics that ensure quality returns…

Texas Oil & Gas Production Statistics

Crude oil and natural gas production as reported to the Railroad Commission of Texas for September 2022 came from 160,490 oil wells and 87,246 gas wells. The RRC reports that from October 2021 to September 2022, total Texas reported production was 1.5 billion barrels of crude oil and 11.1 trillion cubic feet of total gas….

5 Ways Open Communications About Compliance With Building Codes Make for a Safer Job Site

By Helen Callier, Contributing Writer We have been in the construction industry and managing building permits for many years. And what we know for sure is there is no doubt that building codes exist to protect everyone from being injured or killed on the job site, and when they are followed, construction accidents are…

US Department of Labor, El Paso Consulate General of Mexico Renew 2-Year Commitment To Promoting Worker Safety, and Health Throughout West Texas

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Consulate General of Mexico have signed an alliance to provide Spanish-speaking workers in West Texas with information, guidance, and access to workers’ rights. The two-year alliance will provide safety and health outreach and training to Mexican nationals working in the region. This voluntary alliance provides Spanish-speaking workers…

Austin Transportation News: Global Impact Initiative Enters Recruitment Agreement With CapMetro

Global Impact Initiative, or Gii, has entered into a mutual agreement with CapMetro to collectively address the need to provide refugees and other marginalized populations living in Central Texas with gainful employment. Gii is an Austin-based non-profit that provides education and workforce development programs to underserved communities around the world. Through Gii, refugees can complete…

Doing Business With DFW International Airport: Creating and Sustaining a Diverse Business Environment

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport creates and sustains a business environment that enables disadvantaged, minority, and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) to compete equitably for business opportunities and achieve economic success, contributing to DFW’s overall mission of expanding economic benefits. Their Process For more information, please visit www.dfwairport.com. Source: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

Fueling Your Business With Your Fleet

For owners of small- and medium-sized businesses, there are so many elements to be handled that finances often do not get the attention required to drive a sustainable and growing business. It is widely reported that 82% of small businesses shut down due to poor cash flow management, and CB Insights reports 39% ran out…

METRO Aims To Connect Communities With Transit-Oriented Development

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…

Women Recognized in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction: RHCA Announces Luna Awards Winners in San Antonio, Austin, and for the First Time El Paso!

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,…

Construction Bid Prices Jump in October Amid Mixed Costs for Materials as Contractors Cope With Supply-Chain, Labor Availability Challenges

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 Grows in 269 of 358 Metro Areas From September 2021 to 2022 but Looming Challenges Imperil Future Gains

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…

Apprentices “Earn While They Learn” to Build a Clean Energy Future

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…

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $13 Billion To Modernize and Expand America’s Power Grid

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…

Electric Construction Equipment Global Market Report 2022: Development of Long-Range and Fast-Charging Battery Technology Presents Opportunities

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…