Construction Equipment Owner

Obama Outlines Latest in Series of New Small Business Proposals

President Obama proposed the expansion of two critical Small Business Administration (SBA) lending programs, aimed at allowing small businesses to refinance and increasing limits for working capital. The proposals would allow small business owners quicker access SBA Express loans and protect against small business foreclosure.

AEM President Comments on Latest “Jobs Report”

Association of Equipment Manufacturers’ President Dennis Slater comments on the latest jobs report. Slater says a multi-year, fully-funded transportation infrastructure program would boost employment in the construction industry as well as equipment sales.

U.S. Green Concrete Council Unveils New Guide on Sustainable Concrete

“The Sustainable Concrete Guide - Strategies and Examples” is the first comprehensive resource on concrete and sustainability, focusing on the use of concrete in high-performance green buildings. A second book is set to be released in the fall of 2010.

Trafficking the Stimulus

FMI Corporation takes a look at the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) almost a year after it was signed into Congress. Industry associations believe that the impact of ARRA will wane as the contract deadline of September 2010 passes, and the awarded projects reach completion. If Congress does not intervene, FMI foresees a dramatic drop-off in highway construction spending and other infrastructure-type projects once the stimulus wave passes.

ABC Honors America’s Top Construction Projects 2009

Associated Builders and Contractors’ top 2009 construction projects were judged on complexity, attractiveness, unique challenges overcome, completion time, workmanship, innovation, safety and cost. This year there were 40 winners.

It’s rare that I make news at National Pavement Expo, but the recent show in Nashville was rare indeed as I was honored to join a select group when I received the Award of Excellence in Power Sweeping from WorldSweeper.com. Presented at the start of the Sweepers Roundtable by WorldSweeper’s Ranger Kidwell-Ross, the Award of Excellence has been presented annually to contract sweepers and manufacturers who WorldSweeper.com credits with having a positive impact on the sweeping industry.

I really appreciate that.

As I said when I accepted the award, it caught me completely offguard. It was suggested I attend the start of the Roundtable because there was something I needed to hear, so pen and notebook in hand I ducked into the back of the room prepared to take notes on a sweeping industry news story — only to hear Ranger start talking about a person’s background that sounded suspiciously like mine.

As I also said, I am quite flattered by the recognition. Ranger was right when he said that I knew nothing of the sweeping industry (or the pavement maintenance industry, for that matter) when I accepted the position as editor of Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction in 1990. But I did know a couple of things: First, that I had a lot to learn about all aspects of the industries I was going to cover and, second, that there were plenty of folks out there — contractors and manufacturers alike — who would be willing to take the time to teach me if I demonstrated an interest. I must have done that because ever since 1990 manufacturers and contract sweepers from across the country have patiently answered my questions, providing insight and direction as Pavement and NPE have worked to serve the sweeping industry.

And the key, I think, is that last phrase, “serve the sweeping industry,” because that’s always been a goal of this magazine and the two trade shows — and now our websites. There’s no question that Cygnus Business Media, which employs me and owns these products, is a for-profit operation — just as contractors and manufacturers are in business to make money. But our approach has always been to be a part of the industry — in this case the sweeping industry — and to do what we can to help that industry develop and grow. That means “how to” articles, equipment articles, and profiles of contractors in the magazine. It means including seminars sweeping professionals need and want, and it means supporting the sweeping industry association through its growing pains to become the North American Power Sweeping Association (for the life of me I can’t figure out why it doesn’t have 1000 or more members). Our approach has always been the “rising tide lifts all boats” kind of approach, and we like to think that’s happened over the years and that we can play a role in it continuing to happen.

So though I was the individual accepting this award, there is no question in my mind that I was able to receive it through the support of all those in the industry who helped me learn what sweeping is all about and who continually help me whenever I need assistance. So a hearty “thanks” to WorldSweeper.com for the honor, and a heartfelt “thanks” to all those in the industry who helped me receive it. This is something that could not have taken place without your belief in your industry and your willingness to openly talk and teach others about it.

Will Tax Cuts Win Over Republicans to Help Pass Jobs Bill?
With several construction provisions waiting in the wings, The Hill reports Senate Democrats are dangling tax provisions favored by the GOP in hopes of building bipartisan support for the jobs program.

U.S.-Canada Buy American Deal Accelerates Stimulus Projects
Stephen E. Sandherr, the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, reacted to the Buy American deal concluded Friday between the U.S. and Canada. “[Friday’s] deal is welcome news for the nation’s hard hit construction workers, particularly for the one in four who are unemployed,” said Sandherr.

Building Permits Skyrocket Ahead of House-Size Rules
A record number of Boulder contractors and homeowners applied for building permits late last year, just in time to escape the city’s controversial house-size rules, according to a new report.

State Wants to Cut Transportation Funding
Budget analysts want to divert almost $60 million a year from Maryland’s Transportation Trust Fund to general use - a move opposed by the state DOT.

New Startup Promotes Renting as Alternative to Ownership
San Francisco-based startup, Rentcycle, is bringing the entire rental category online. Now rental stores have a marketplace where their goods can get discovered, compared and booked online, and consumers can have a “one-stop shop” for all their rental needs.

We appreciate all the effort all our speakers put in to develop presentations at National Pavement Expo but I’d like to single out Robert Liles for special kudos at this year’s NPE.

Robert has been a member of the Pavement Advisory Board since 2002 and has been presenting various sessions, including “Parking Lot Layout & Striping Basics” at NPE and NPE West since before then. In addition to running his own pavement marking business, Robert Liles Parking Lot Service in Tyler, TX, he’s also the mastermind behind Parking Lot Planet, one of the industry’s premier websites with what is undoubtedly the industry’s best and most well-run forum section. If you don’t visit regularly you need to add it to your “favorites.”

Anyway, about a month before the recent NPE Robert jumped in to develop a session when the scheduled speakers ran into a conflict. His “Indoor Striping and Outdoor Sports Court Marking” was an effort by NPE to expose contractors to a two services they could offer, either as add-ons or to help contractors shift their striping work indoors on rainy days and when winter hit. And it couldn’t have gone any better. From covering the types of customers that need indoor striping (including convention center floors, cold storage areas, hospital aisles and school hallways) to outlining special concerns unique to indoor work (such as keeping fire extinguishers accessible and identifying exit routes) to covering OSHA requirements and recommended line width (anything over 2 inches is usually acceptable with a 4-inch line most popular), Robert introduced a room full of folks to an income-generating growth area. And that was before he even got to sports court marking.

So thanks to Robert for stepping in and stepping up; we appreciate it. And to those of you who heard about the session but weren’t able to attend, don’t worry. We’ll ask Robert back to do it again.

Project Labor Agreements Under Scrutiny
The Obama Administration contends PLAs control cost factors, and the President put forth an Executive Order encouraging PLAs, however in areas like New Hampshire, this removes about 90% of the eligible construction firms from bidding.

Disputes Hindering Jobs Package Progress
The jobs package is testing bipartisanship in the Senate. Democrats want to inject about $20 billion into the government’s highway trust fund, which is facing a shortfall that some lawmakers fear could interrupt highway construction, says an article at The Wall Street Journal. The request is angering some Republicans who are concerned about the federal deficit, Senate aides said.

Commercial Construction Falls in the O.C.
Non-residential construction fell in Orange County, CA, last year to the lowest level in 14 years. According to the Construction Industry Research Board, the estimated value of building permits for offices, hotels, stores and other non-residential structures totaled $951 million in 2009.

DOT Pays Out $8.8 Billion in Stimulus
The Department of Transportation pushed $524 million out to states in the week ending Jan. 22 to reimburse them for construction project costs under last year’s stimulus law, raising the total DOT has paid out so far to $8.787 billion, says a report at The Journal of Commerce.

January 2010 Construction Rental Report Available
The January 2010 issue of the Rouse Construction Rental Report says for the three months ending December 31, 2009, the major North American rental firms sold 40% less construction equipment (as measured by original equipment cost), than in the quarter ending December 31, 2008.

Senate Democrats to Unveil Jobs Program
According to a report at the Wall Street Journal, Senate Democrats plan to launch an $80 billion bill, which could be introduced as early as Friday, to extend authorization for highway projects, give tax credits to businesses for job creation and other investments, and help state and local governments issue construction bonds. Democrats say those actions could create jobs right away. A second phase would focus on infrastructure spending.

Association Offers EPA Guidance for Stormwater Regulations
Stormwater runoff regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should take into account many of the features that make transportation projects unique and not take a “one-size-fits-all”approach, the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) told the agency.
 

Obama’s Budget Includes $1.82 Billion for Major Transit Projects
President Obama proposed $1.82 billion in funding for 27 major transit construction projects that will create jobs and increase transportation options throughout the United States.
 

A Look at Infrastructure in the 2011 Budget
According to a report by Robert Puentes at The New Republic, the president’s proposed 2011 budget is an interesting collection of investments and reforms for infrastructure.
 

Kubota to Offer Compact Track Loaders
Kubota is adding an “all-Kubota” designed, engineered and manufactured compact track loader powered by a Kubota diesel engine to its line of equipment. The new 75- and 90-hp SVL models will be arriving at Kubota dealerships as early as this summer.

LaHood: “Very Bright” Future for Infrastructure Fund
DCStreetsBlog.org reports that Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said that he sees “very bright” prospects for congressional approval of the Obama administration’s $4 billion National Infrastructure Innovation and Finance Fund, the new iteration of the long-discussed National Infrastructure Bank proposal.

Obama Floats Build America Bonds Extension
The Bond Buyer reports the Obama administration would like to make the Build America Bonds program permanent at a lower, so-called revenue-neutral subsidy rate, but the remainder of the proposed fiscal 2011 budget does not include any proposals to extend other stimulus programs due to expire at the end of the year.

Why the Transportation Bill is Stalled in Congress
Creating jobs and debating financing have become major roadblocks to getting a six-year $500 billion transportation bill passed, says a report at The Journal of Commerce.

Construction Outlays Dropped in December
Spending on private and public construction in the United States dropped in December compared with November, the U.S. Commerce Department said.

Obama Details Small Business Lending Program
President Barack Obama will roll out a proposed $30 billion small-business lending program, part of an effort to jump-start hiring by the nation’s small businesses.

As many of you know by now Pavement Maintenance & Reconstruction is celebrating its 25th year this year and we thought it might be fun to show everyone what the very first issue looked like. So check it out. It’s not bad for a first try, and Bob Woltering, the founder and first editor, did a nice job of developing it until it and National Pavement Expo were purchased by The Aberdeen Group (which at the time owned World of Concrete) in 1990. It retained its mostly black-and-white look until it was sold to Johnson Hill Press (now Cygnus Business Media) in 1995.

The industry has changed quite a bit, and the magazine has changed too. But as you scroll through that first issue you’ll see a lot of familiar names, including SealMaster, Crafco, Deery, Tarmax, Neyra, Billy Goat, Masco (then called Mr. Air Sweepers), USA-Tips.

Yes, it seems I do save everything.

Skyrocketing Exports Help U.S. Companies Climb Out of Recession
U.S. exports are roaring back as the global economy recovers from recession. And U.S. companies are looking outside the U.S. to markets that are recovering from the recession faster than the U.S. Before the recession, Power Curbers did about 20% of its business outside the U.S. That’s up to 80% after demand for its machines — which make curbs, sidewalks and medians — collapsed at home. Similarly, Vermeer, a Pella, IA, maker of industrial equipment, says exports now account for nearly a third of its business, double its share in the past.

What’s Getting Cut from the White House Transportation Budget?
In a fiscal year 2011 budget that proposes to increase spending on several core transportation priorities, the White House also aims to eliminate a few infrastructure programs that may prove popular with lawmakers. One of the largest proposed funding cut under the U.S. DOT’s purview is the Surface Transportation Priorities (STP) program, which distributed $293 million last year to an array of local road, bridge, and trail projects

Commercial Construction Expected to Increase in 2010
Reed Construction Data predicts that the volume of nonresidential building construction is expected to expand in the next 12 months. This is based on the RCD/RSMeans Commercial Construction Expansion Index, which is based on actual construction project data alculated from its proprietary database.

Only 4 Out of 337 Cities Added Construction Jobs in 2009
Construction employment grew in only four out of 337 metropolitan areas in 2009 as spending on construction projects dropped by $100 billion in December to a six-year low of $903 billion, according to a new analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of federal figures released.

Stimulus: The Secret Sequel
They’re not calling it Stimulus 2, but the Obama administration wants to extend the life of several Recovery Act provisions by building them into the federal budget. The president’s $3.8 trillion budget for fiscal 2011, unveiled Monday, calls for giving states more money for infrastructure projects, as well as renewing tax breaks for workers, small businesses and municipalities issuing bonds. But the word “stimulus” is not very popular on Capitol Hill right now.

Stimulus Funds Nearly 600,000 Jobs Last Quarter
According to CNNMoney.com, the White House’s stimulus plan directly funded 599,108 jobs in the fourth quarter, administration officials said Saturday. The figure is based on about 160,000 reports from state, local and corporate recipients that have spent stimulus on plans such as rebuilding roads, launching green energy initiatives and funding other projects. That spending represents one-fifth of total stimulus spending to date.
 

Report Helps Contractors Navigate Treacherous Markets
FMI, management consultants and investment bankers to the construction industry, releases its 2010 Special Report: Contractor Strategy, Emerging From the Perfect Storm. The report details and analyzes the responses to FMI’s Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) concerning the basis for strategic planning and navigation through treacherous markets like those we’re now experiencing.

Transportation Funding Shrinks
“Americans desperately need jobs,” says an editorial at the StarTribune.com. “The nation’s sagging infrastructure badly needs repair and renewal. Why not put people to work fixing and building roads, bridges and transit systems? It all seemed a no-brainer. But now comes the problem of money — or lack of it.”

Foundation Releases Sustainable Concrete Plant Guidelines
The RMC Research & Education Foundation is proud to announce the release of a new tool for the concrete industry: Sustainable Concrete Plant Guidelines. The guidelines are designed to further the efforts underway within the concrete industry in the sustainable development field and assist producers by providing additional resources on how to make their own plants and operations more sustainable.

Software Training at The Rental Show
At The Rental Show in Orlando next week, Point of Rental Systems will once again host its free annual training seminar for current customers. Trainers and technical staff will provide advanced training to help clients utilize the software’s wide range of features.