The Michigan legislature is set to begin a new session on Tuesday, January 25. There will be 28 new lawmakers serving their first full term in the House of Representatives. ACEC/Michigan has been meeting virtually with a majority of the new members, offering knowledge and expertise in the area of engineering and infrastructure.

Members will also have various opportunities to meet their new and returning legislators during the regional meetings being arranged by our lobbyist Kelley Cawthorne and during our annual Legislative Day on March 19.

The Engineers, Architects & Surveyors legislative committee will be focusing on infrastructure funding, improvements to Public Act 132 (surveyors) and procurement of design professional services by state agencies using a Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) process.

ACEC is also working with Congress to find relief for small engineering companies (<500 employees) that received a Payment Protection Program (PPP) loan and are now having it potentially reduce their bottom line on state DOT contracts with Federal Funds.

Due to travel and large gathering concerns related to COVID, ACEC/Michigan has decided to go virtual with the 2021 Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala. The event will be broadcast on Friday, February 26. The planning team is pulling out all the stops to make the virtual event as exciting and suspenseful as the in-person Gala. Do not miss this opportunity to celebrate engineering & surveying excellence in Michigan with your clients and peers.

There is no charge for this event; however registration is required. Sign up today!

Sponsorships are also available. Levels, benefits and further details are available on the ACEC/Michigan website. The sponsorship deadline is February 8.

Due to the unknown of the future with COVID-19, MSPE has made the decision to hold a virtual conference in 2021. Our team has taken into consideration the safety and comfort of our attendees, as well as the feedback we received from the 2020 virtual conference. It was not an easy decision, but we must do what is safe for everyone.

We will have an incredible lineup of PDH-worthy sessions, as well as the opportunity to engage with your peers on May 5-7, 2021. More information is coming soon.

2021 brings a year of celebration for MSPE members. Seventy-five years is a major accomplishment!

We are in the process of planning various activities and promotions throughout the year and are hopeful that a celebratory gathering will be safe in the Fall. We hope you will join us in honoring our legacy!

Calling all CFO’s, Controller’s and those managing the finances for your engineering firm. ACEC/Michigan will host a virtual CFO Forum on February 16 at 1:30 pm. The session will be facilitated by affiliate member Somerset CPAs and Advisors and will cover the latest information on PPP loan forgiveness, audit updates and President Biden’s tax plans. Bring your questions and hear from others in the industry. Got a topic you would like to discuss, please send to ACEC/Michigan or bring it up at the Forum.

Register today!

The 2021 Partnering Workshop will be held over two days, on February 3 & 4. Although this year's event will be virtual, it remains the ideal venue for technical information sharing, communicating new policies and procedures and networking with MDOT leadership and staff. Included will be morning and afternoon general sessions, multiple breakout sessions and networking opportunities. CEUs will be offered for the educational sessions.

Visit the ACEC/M website for more information.

The West Michigan branch of ASCE has remained active despite setbacks from COVID-19. Last spring the branch was able to raise over $5,000 for the United Way West Michigan COVID relief fund. The branch successfully switched to a virtual format in the interim, hosting monthly meetings through webinars. Furthermore, the branch established a YouTube page to upload and share these videos for future use: ASCE West Michigan Branch YouTube. As soon as it is safe to do so, the branch looks forward to meeting in person once again!

In other news, James H Smith IV, P.E., President of the ASCE West Michigan branch, visited and logged several ASCE landmarks in the west Michigan area to help ASCE National with their cataloguing efforts. These landmarks included: The 57^th Street Bridge in Allegan County, the Trestle Culvert in Algoma Township, the Second Street Bridge in Allegan, the Union Depot in Muskegon, and the Monroe Water Filtration Plant in Grand Rapids. These visits included carefully documenting and photographing the locations of the landmark and ASCE placard so that other ASCE members may more easily locate them in the future.

The Michigan Society of Professional Engineers scholarship program is now accepting applications from high school seniors graduating in the spring of 2021. Scholarships are funded by the past and current generosity of individuals, leading companies, and educational institutions. All scholarships are based on merit and are to be used toward tuition. Applicants must meet the minimum criteria to qualify.

The submission deadline is February 19, 2021. Get the details here.

ACEC/Michigan is excited to welcome the following new affiliate member:

Is your ACEC/M member firm celebrating a significant anniversary this year? Let us know and we will share your good news here.

February 3&4: MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop

February 26: Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala

March 19: Legislative Day

May 5 - 7: MSPE Virtual Annual Conference

May TBD: Michigan Infrastructure Conference