Journals

  • METRO’s Smart Project Management Means Major Financial Boost from Feds

    The federal government is rewarding METRO and the Houston region with up to $18.5 million in grant money for construction of a new transit center. The money was originally part of the financing for the METRORail Northline extension.  When that project was completed early and significantly under budget, METRO sought to utilize those savings for…

  • Shutting Down Construction Projects Is An Unnecessary Step, Will Harm Economy & Undermine Recovery Efforts, Construction Officials Say

    Construction Firms Are Already Taking Steps to Protect Employees, Most of Whom Already Wear Protective Equipment, While Halting Work Will Undermine Efforts to Add Hospital Capacity The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to steps being taken to put in place arbitrary…

  • OSHA advisory committee discusses major industry hazards

    Last week, the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH), which makes construction regulation recommendations to OSHA, held two public teleconference meetings to address how the agency could increase awareness and potentially update its standards for hazards that pose a great risk to industry workers — falls, excavation and trenches, opioids and suicide.  For falls, committee members…

  • How to Obtain City Building Permits During a Wide-spread Health Challenge

    Here’s what we have learned over the years in expediting building permits across the state of Texas and areas in the United States:  Regardless if the economy is hot, warm or cold, obtaining a building permit fast is crucial for starting a project on time and in opening new businesses, roadways, etc. for use.  This…

  • ConocoPhillips Appoints Two New Members to its Board of Directors

    HOUSTON – ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP) announced today that its board of directors has elected Mr. David T. Seaton and Mr. Al Walker to serve as board members. Mr. Seaton served as chief executive officer of Fluor Corporation from 2011 to 2019, and as chairman from 2012 to 2019. Mr. Seaton joined Fluor in 1985 and held…

  • Coronavirus Business Tips from the Small Business Association

    Common issues that small businesses may encounter •             Capital access. Incidents can strain a small business’s financial capacity to make payroll, maintain inventory and respond to market fluctuations (both sudden drops and surges in demand). Businesses should prepare by exploring and testing their capital access options so they have what they need when they need…

  • Dealing with Data in the Construction Industry

    The exponential growth of big data has had a profound effect on the heavy building materials industry. Per Techjury, every person this year will generate 1.7 megabytes of data in just a second. In 2019, internet users generate about 2.5 quintillion bytes of data each day. In addition: Large infrastructure projects are voluminous — requiring an…

  • Entergy Creates COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to Help Customers in Need

    In an effort to help working families experiencing financial hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the Entergy Charitable Foundation has established the COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. “The health and safety of our customers, employees and communities is Entergy’s top priority,” said Leo Denault, chairman and CEO of Entergy Corporation. “For more than 100…

  • THE ROAD TO 2040: WHAT’S FUELING TRANSPORTATION GROWTH

    Projections that the global middle class will increase by 1.7 billion people over the next two decades means a lot more energy will be needed in the years ahead to move planes, trains and automobiles. Specifically, the energy demand of global transport, which includes deliveries of goods and services, should increase by about 25% by…

  • Trust translates to better financial, organizational performance for contractors, survey shows

    Construction companies that don’t make trust a high priority within their organizations could be leaving millions of dollars on the table every year, according to a study released by Autodesk and management consultancy FMI Corp. this week.  Authors of the “Trust Matters: The High Cost of Low Trust” found that construction organizations with very high levels of trust…

  • Best practices for design professionals when responding to lawsuits or claims

    At some point in their careers, most design professionals have either heard of claims on projects with which they’ve been involved or have been directly or indirectly involved with a claim. Disputes with the owner during a project are not uncommon. When those disputes may potentially result in a claim, architects are often well-served to…

  • SBA Houston District (COVID-19) Update | March 25, 2020

    Automatic Deferment on Existing SBA Disaster  Loans Through End of 2020 The U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza announced changes to help borrowers still paying back SBA loans from previous disasters. By making this change, deferments through December 31, 2020, will be automatic. Now, borrowers of home and business disaster loans do not have…

  • Jerrold & Co

    As a diversified investment firm, focused on real estate opportunities in Houston, our goal is to integrate key aspects of the real estate and construction industry to fit the needs of our clients. Through acquisitions, construction remodels and buyer & seller representation, we are able to handle all of your real estate needs.

  • PREPARE FOR RECOVERY

    By Cliff Robbins, MSBDC Senior Business Advisor NOW what do I do?”  This is the question on every small business persons’ mind. Well, this is the time to prepare yourself for a post-coronavirus world: Especially because you have probably been forced to shutter or otherwise change your business approach. CFIMITYM – Cash Flow Is More Important…

  • Starting Monday METRO Bus Riders to Board & Exit Through Rear Doors During COVID-19 Response

    METRO is making several significant service modifications to allow for continued safe operations of critical public transportation services amid the coronavirus COVID-19 response. Local Bus Starting Monday, March 23, to support social distancing, passengers must use the rear door when boarding and exiting a local bus. Only passengers with mobility issues will be able to request the…