Michigan Legislative Update |
On July 15, the Senate passed SB 529 which would provide $1.6 billion in federal funding to MDOT from the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund. The funds would be used to rehabilitate/replace bridges, compensate county road commissions and cities and villages for lost revenue and address rail grade separation issues.
A more detailed breakdown is as follows:
• $1.3 billion – local bridge bundling program
• $126 million – local rail grade separations
• $125.8 million – county road commissions (lost revenue)
• $70.1 million – cities & villages (lost revenue)
The bill passed 23-12 with some Democratic lawmakers expressing concern whether the federal funds could be used for said purposes. Republican leaders are referencing Section 9901 (a) of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 which allows for Fiscal Recovery funds to be used for the provision of government services to the extent that the State has experienced a revenue loss due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
ACEC is also tracking several Rail Grade Separation bills (HB 4522-4524) that would create a local grade separation grant program within MDOT. MDOT has the regulatory authority under the Railroad Code and can require safety improvements to local crossings or can order a crossing to close. There are several crossings in Michigan that need improvements and the costs for grade separations are high.
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ACEC/M Partners with MDOT's
Transportation Diversity Recruitment Program
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For a second year, ACEC members partnered with MDOT to recruit engineering talent from Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs). For 2021, 12 ACEC engineering companies employed 23 interns and introduced them to a career in engineering.
The TDRP seeks to recruit and expose underrepresented groups of engineering students by offering them a 10-week paid internship, as well as paid housing and transportation, and exposing them to valuable on-the-job training.
On July 22, a showcase was held in Detroit to celebrate the completion of the program and Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist was the keynote.
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ACEC/M Emerging Leaders Program |
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The 2021 ACEC/Michigan Emerging Leaders Program will kick off its first session right after Labor Day. This popular program will be held over three sessions in September, October and November.
The Emerging Leaders Program is for individuals committed to developing their leadership abilities. This program imparts specific skills and competencies identified by top ACEC/Michigan principals as critical for leadership success. These highly interactive sessions are taught by experts in the field of business administration and people management in professional services firms.
The class will enjoy a dynamic schedule of topics including: Strategic Planning, Governmental Affairs, Risk Management, HR - Recruiting, Retaining and Owning, Leadership, Business Development, Economics of Private Practice, and the Senior Leaders Roundtable: From Management to Leadership - Secrets of Success.
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Congratulations to the following members of the 2021 Emerging Leaders Program: |
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Fatemeh Alighalehbabakhani (Hubbell, Roth & Clark)
Troy Andrews (Wade Trim)
Paul Arends (AECOM)
Tim Bradshaw (Progressive AE)
Kevin Brown (Somat)
Matt Chumbley (WSP)
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Bryan Daavettila (Great Lakes Eng)
Trent Daavettila (RS&H)
Tina Dao-Nguyen (Michael Baker)
Cal Dunham (Byce)
Brittany Fiema (SmithGroup)
Kevin Glupker (SME)
David Hoeh (DLZ)
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Jesse Lewter (Wolverine)
Jordan Phillips (RSE)
Stan Richard (Integral Blue)
Michael Stanbrough (Cincar)
Nathan Ver Heul (Prein&Newhof)
Michael Vigneron (AEW)
Matthew Wagner (Bergmann)
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Take a look at ACEC/Michigan's 2020-2021 Annual Report! Despite the challenges we all faced the past year, ACEC/Michigan remains very strong and saw record attendance at many of our virtual events!
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ACEC/M will host the FHWA NHI 10 Day Safety Inspection of In-Service Bridges course October 18-29 in Lansing. This training is a must in order to be qualified to inspect local and state bridges. Discounted registration for members!
Cost: $1200 ACEC members; $1300 Non-Members. The registration fee includes all educational materials, continental breakfasts and breaks. Lunch is on your own.
Registration deadline is September 30, 2021.
For further details and a registration form, visit the ACEC/M website. |
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MSPE Announces 2021-2022
Board of Directors
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President - Don Nedervelt, PE - Pfizer Inc
President Elect - Jim Kirkwood, PE - City of Kentwood
Secretary - Mick Vargas, PE - Advanced Drainage Systems
Treasurer - Martha Thompson, PE - Bowser-Morner, Inc.
Past President - Ivan Ivanov, PE - Barr Engineering Co
NSPE Delegate - John Condie, PE - Fishbeck
Eastern Region VP - Scott Assenmacher, PE - Monroe County Road Commission
Mid-Michigan Region VP - Garrett Day, PE - Commonwealth Associates, Inc
Northern Region VP -Bob Nelesen, PE - Prein & Newhof
Thumb Region VP - Tanner Kragenbrink, PE - Wade Trim
Western Region VP - Debbie Dawson, PE - Montcalm Community College
At-Large VP - Mike Schwartz, PE - Prein&Newhof
New Professionals Representative - Brian Merk, PE - Prein&Newhof
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ACEC/M Engineering & Surveying
Excellence Awards
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ACEC/Michigan celebrates and promotes achievements by engineering companies through its annual Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards.
Projects from across the state compete each year for the coveted "Eminent Conceptor" Award. In early November, a panel of judges will evaluate the projects based on innovation, complexity, client satisfaction and future value to the profession. Intents to enter this year's competition are due August 20, with completed project submittals due by September 24.
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ASCE Michigan Section
2022 Infrastructure Report Card
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ASCE MI Section will be releasing a 2022 Infrastructure Report Card. The effort was officially kicked off with ASCE's National office on July 20. The Report Card will grade at least 14 categories of Michigan’s infrastructure and is expected to be released in late summer/early fall 2022. The Report Card was last completed in 2018 and gave Michigan’s infrastructure and overall average grade of D+.
ASCE MI members are encouraged to participate in the effort. Please contact Executive Director Ron Brenke at rbrenke@acecmi.org to lend your support. |
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ACEC/M New and Improved Job Board |
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Is your firm looking to hire professionals in the engineering and surveying industry? ACEC/Michigan's new and improved Job Board is the ideal place to post your openings! https://acecmi.mcjobboard.net/jobs
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MSPE Hosting 75th Anniversary Dinner Cruise |
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Members are invited to attend the 75th Anniversary Banquet to celebrate the history of MSPE.
Join us for a dinner cruise on the Grand River in Lansing on Saturday, September 25, 2021. Your ticket will include dinner, two drinks, memorabilia, and a great time! Attendees will board the boat at 5:00 PM and return around 8:00 PM.
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Be in the know on what is happening at ACEC/Michigan (and there is a lot!)
by following us on social media.
Did you know before reading this newsletter that we offer scholarships to interns, are hosting an NHI Bridge Safety Course and have a new job board free to members? You would have if you were following us on social media!
Don't miss out - click the icons below to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn today!
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MSPE Offers Virtual PDH Opportunity |
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MSPE held its virtual conference on May 5-7, 2021. Those who missed the event can purchase access to the on-demand package which includes 12 sessions. Earn up to 12 PDHs at an affordable rate.
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ACEC to host PSMJ Principals Bootcamp |
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ACEC will host this course (in person) in Lansing on January 20 & 21, 2022.
For junior and senior firm leaders alike, PSMJ’s A/E/C Principals Bootcamp is two intensive days of learning and interaction that equip attendees with innovative strategies and effective tactics for success.
Maintaining strong backlog, sustaining profitability, and finding and keeping top talent are just some of the priorities that are top-of-mind with today’s A/E/C firm leaders. Of course, knowing what to do is the first step towards being an effective principal.
“Real deal” firm leaders aren’t just born that way. Rather, they develop through proven guidance and experience. They develop by staying close to those who have been there and learning from the seasoned experts. They develop by attending PSMJ’s A/E/C Principals Bootcamp.
Watch for registration information on the ACEC/M website.
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ACEC/Michigan New Member Firms |
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ACEC/M is excited to welcome the following new member firms:
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2021 - 2022 Events Calendar |
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January 20 - 21: PSMJ Principals Bootcamp
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Michigan Engineering News
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