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News
Region a good spot for ethane storage hub, DOE report says
The U.S. Department of Energy issued a report to Congress on Tuesday titled “Ethane Storage and Distribution Hub in the United States.” The Appalachian region, which includes Pennsylvania, is considered a viable spot to develop such a hub, according to department’s website.
“There is an incredible opportunity to establish an ethane storage and distribution hub in the Appalachian region and build a robust petrochemical industry in Appalachia,” Energy Secretary Rick Perry said, according to energy.gov . Read More...
Rick Perry: Appalachia will seize major share of global petrochemical market
Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Tuesday that Appalachia will help the U.S. gain a sizable share of the global petrochemical market because of the near-exponential growth in natural gas production the region has experienced in the past decade. Read More...
School Building Authority awards 19 counties funding for projects
School leaders from 19 counties can breathe a sigh of relief after Monday’s School Building Authority meeting. The SBA awarded eight counties NEEDS grant funding for construction projects totaling nearly $46 million and awarded 11 other counties over $26 million in funding from an investment fund for roofing/HVAC projects. Read More...
Rebecca McPhail: Freight rail reforms crucial to WV economy
Freight rail reforms are needed now, more than ever, if West Virginia hopes to continue expanding its economy, attracting new businesses and creating a wealth of new jobs across our state.
To grow West Virginia’s economy, we need to make sure that goods can flow smoothly and efficiently into and out of our state, especially by rail. Unfortunately, that is not currently the case thanks to outdated transportation policies in Washington. Read More...
Gov. Justice Announces Award of Several Grants in Northern West Virginia
Gov. Jim Justice today announces over a dozen grants awarded to recipients in Northern West Virginia. These included two Abandoned Mine Land Grants, six Recycling Assistance Grants, and 11 Recreational Trails Program Grants.
 
“These grants are essential as we continue to grow West Virginia and provide programs that help our communities and citizens,” Gov. Justice said. “The multiplier effect on our return is at least eight times and many times it is more. As we move our state forward, and we are, the impact to our economy is substantial.” Read More...
Uber seeks to put self-driving vehicles back on the road ahead of public offering 
After pulling its autonomous vehicles from the streets earlier this year, Uber is seeking to return self-driving cars to Pittsburgh's roads as the company prepares to go public.
According to a  report in the Wall Street Journal , Uber filed an S-1 form with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week.  Read More...
Employers find help with apprenticeship program
As baby boomers continue to retire from manufacturing jobs, finding new skilled workers can be difficult. Chris Stender, the general manager of Ashland-based Hydraulic Service & Supply, can attest to that. "Finding the people with the skills that we need not only to run our business, but to grow our business has been extremely difficult," he said Thursday. Read More...
Ohio opposites: Lessons offered in state’s economic picture in robust Mercer County, struggling Monroe County
In  Ohio’s western breadbasket , amid thousands of acres of lush Mercer County farmland, grows an economic engine that is fueled by small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies that are cultivating new businesses and steadily growing older ones. Read More...
Workers say they're ready to upskill — but employers are lagging
Rather than viewing technology as a force coming for jobs, 74% of the respondents in a new global  Randstad Workmonitor survey  said they see digitization as an opportunity. In fact, 59% said they expect automation, robotics and artificial intelligence to positively affect their job in the next five to 10 years. Read More...
Safety and Education
How to Get a License for Your Construction Company
Being in construction can be profitable, but you’ll need to comply with all the regulations to work legally in your state, including holding the right permits and licenses. Read More...
Did You Know?
Safety and health programs can prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Here are three popular resources that can help you establish or improve a program.
Legislative Update

Ohio's lame duck session is in full gear as the Ohio legislative session ends at the end of this month.  While the legislature is deciding on what bills to send to governor for action, the newly elected statewide officials, including Governor-elect Mike DeWine, have started to name cabinet members and key staff.

Lame Duck Activity

Public Private Partnership Legislation
HB 668 (Patton)  was introduced and has had three hearings in the House Higher Education and Workforce Committee. The bill would authorize state agencies, state institutions of higher education, counties, townships, municipal corporations, school districts, community schools, STEM schools, and college-preparatory boarding schools to enter into public-private initiatives with a private party through a public-private agreement regarding public facilities. Because of the uncertainty on how this bill would impact current construction law, including questions about prevailing wage.
 
Prevailing Wage
  SB 72  received a first hearing on November 27th. The bill, sponsored by Senator Matt Huffman, would allow political subdivisions to use their discretion in applying prevailing wage. CEA obviously opposes this legislation and we have made our position known to Senators. It is highly unlikely this bill will pass before the end of the session but we anticipate it will be reintroduced next year.
 
Next General Assembly - 133rd
Two of Four Legislative Leadership Teams Have Been Announced
Senate Republicans Leadership Team:
Larry Obhof (Medina) - Senate President 
Sen. Bob Peterson (Sabina) - President Pro Tempore
Sen. Randy Gardner (Bowling Green) - Majority Floor Leader
Sen. Matt Huffman (Lima) - Majority Whip 
 
House Democrat Leadership Team:
Fred Strahorn (Dayton) - Minority Leader
Rep. Emilia Sykes (Akron) - Minority Leader 
Rep. Brigid Kelly (Cincinnati) - Minority Whip
Rep. Kent Smith (Euclid) - Assistant Minority Whip
The Ohio Senate Democrats and Ohio House Republicans have yet to name their leadership teams.
DeWine Starts to Name Key Staff
Governor Elect DeWine has started to name key officials to serve within the administration. Here are some of those that have been announced.
Laurel Dawson – Chief of Staff
Mary Mertz - Director, Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Alisha Nelson - Director, RecoveryOhio (Opioid issue)
Major General John Harris - Adjutant general
Ann O’Donnell - Chief Adviser
Ervan Rogers - Chief Information Officer
LeeAnne Cornyn - Director of Children’s Initiatives
Safety Tool Box Talk
OVCEC PROJECTS
Listing of physical plans available in OVCEC's plan room.
What Is the OVCEC Plan Room?
  • It is a conveniently located source of construction plans for the Ohio Valley area
  • It publishes a weekly Construction Report listing projects out for bid, due dates, apparent low bidders and contracts awarded
  • It provides updates on projects throughout the week by email
  • It provides online access to plans and specifications for your review and downloading
  • It provides bidders lists
  • It has staff that will get the plans you need whenever possible
Submit Plans & Specs
As an Owner or Architect of a project, placing your project plans in the OVCEC Plan Room will help to insure the success of your project.
The Plan Room will:
  • Help you publicize your project
  • Increase the quantity and quality of bids you receive for your project
  • Help you get addenda out to bidders
  • Reduce your cost of blueprint duplication by allowing electronic submission to Plan Room Online