Carl Whitaker Recognized for Excellence in Crane & Rigging Training

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SANFORD, Fla. — Carl Whitaker, a training specialist for Crane Institute of America since 2007, was recently named 2015 Professional Honorable Mention by Crane & Rigging Hot Line and Association of Crane & Rigging Professionals. The Annual Training Excellence Award winners are selected by a panel of industry judges for having a positive impact on safety, encouraging accountability in the workplace and demonstrating qualities of innovation and leadership. “Carl’s success as a trainer is due to blending illustrative and hands-on techniques while taking a learner-centered approach,” said Jim Headley, president of Crane Institute. “Carl knows that people learn by doing. … Read more

Filed under: Movers & Shakers

USGBC Publishes New LEED Resilience Pilot Credits; Incorporates NRMCA Proposals

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SILVERSPRING, Md. — After years of advocating by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association and other key stakeholder groups, the U.S. Green Building Council has adopted LEED pilot credits that provide incentives for design teams to plan, design and build for resilience. NRMCA had proposed a pilot credit in September 2013 and was connected with another group headed by Alex Wilson of the Resilient Design Institute, a longtime resiliency advocate who had submitted a pilot credit with similar goals. Through collaboration, Wilson’s group adopted some of the key parts in the NRMCA proposal, specifically dealing with hazard identification and design … Read more

Filed under: Organizations

Construction Employment Rebounds in October with Year-Over-Year Growth

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Construction job growth rebounded in October as 43 states and the District of Columbia recorded employment increases from a year earlier, while 35 states added construction jobs in the past month, according to analysis of Labor Department data recently released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned, however, that sustaining such widespread job gains will require support at all levels of government for construction training programs. “Construction job gains were more widespread than at any time since last February,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for the association. “Several states that had recently experienced year-over-year job losses began … Read more

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Landmark High-Rise Project a Strategic Fit for GCs Growing Fort Worth Presence

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FORT WORTH, Texas — Anthracite Realty Partners and Bennett Benner Partners have selected Balfour Beatty Construction to provide pre-construction and construction services for a landmark high-rise in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Balfour Beatty is engaged in shaping the project’s final scope and contract, which includes the core, shell and interior finish-out of the new 25-story, 323,415-square-foot Class AA commercial office tower at 640 Taylor St., which will be known as 640 Taylor. The luxury, mixed-use tower will showcase ground floor retail shops, a 12th-floor sky lobby and conference center and an eatery featuring a sleek, 3,400-square-foot dining deck overlooking Sundance … Read more

Filed under: Projects

Architecture Billings Index on Solid Footing

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — There has been increasing levels of demand for design services for nearly all construction project types for the majority of the year as revealed in the Architecture Billings Index. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate 9-12-month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects reported the October ABI score was 53.1, down slightly from the mark of 53.7 in the previous month. This score still reflects an increase in design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index … Read more

Filed under: Economic News