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Steered ahead by strengthening demand in smaller markets, the commercial real estate sector should remain on stable ground in 2017 and offer decent returns for investors, according to the latest National Association of Realtors® quarterly commercial real estate forecast.

The Trump administration’s stumbling and reckless approach to U.S.-Mexico relations could have profound and damaging side effects on water security in the American West, according to a new study from the Center for American Progress

Teams from Carnegie Mellon University, Université Laval in Quebec, the University of Maryland, and the University of Texas at Austin have been selected as the four finalists for the 15th annual Urban Land Institute (ULI) Hines Student Competition, an ideas competition that provides students the opportunity to devise a comprehensive design and development scheme for an actual, large-scale site in an urban area. The four teams are advancing to the final round of the competition in April, where they will compete for a $50,000 first place prize.

On Friday, February 17, 2017, Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT), Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) sent a letter to Acting Administrator McCabe at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requesting an extension to the comment period for the proposed rule, “Financial Responsibility Requirements Under CERCLA §108(b) for Classes of Facilities in the Hardrock Mining Industry,” that was published in the Federal Register on January 11, 2017.

National business groups representing the range and breadth of clean energy companies in the United States cheered government statistics showing their industries support more than 3 million American jobs – equal to the employment of retail stores across the country, and twice as many jobs as involved in construction of buildings. This is based on 2016 data recently released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in its second annual U.S. Energy and Employment Report.

Existing-home sales stepped out to a fast start in 2017, surpassing a recent cyclical high and increasing in January to the fastest pace in almost a decade, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All major regions except for the Midwest saw sales gains last month.

Associated General Contractors of America to Push for Swift Confirmation So He Can Focus on Rolling Back Needless Regulatory Burdens. The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement today on the nomination of Alexander Acosta to serve as U.S. Secretary of Labor

Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas, today issued the following statement regarding the joint resolution of disapproval introduced today to overturn OSHA’s recordkeeping rule known as the “Volks” rule

Unico, Inc., maker of small-duct heating and air conditioning systems, has launched a major partnership with the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), the largest and most prominent professional organization for remodeling companies. The partnership will focus on collaborating with remodeling contractors who face the challenges of adding central air in older homes, as well as options for home additions that would be impossible to design with conventional HVAC systems.

The Senate voted to approve President Trump’s nomination of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency. Environment America’s Executive Director, Margie Alt, issued the following statement in response

In an instant for so many in Birmingham, Christmas Day 2015 turned into a nightmare as residents dealt with the safety of loved ones and lost property following a violent tornado.

Granger MacDonald, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Kerrville, Texas, today issued the following statement regarding the Senate confirmation of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

USGBC released its LEED in Motion: Venues report, which highlights the efforts of convention centers, sports venues, performing arts centers, community centers and public assembly spaces to transform their environmental, social and economic footprint through LEED certification. The report showcases some of the most impressive green venues around the world.

Capital Impact Partners announced today that it financed projects in underserved communities across fives states including California, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Texas. Notable in this effort are deals that increased healthy food access, scaled cooperative efforts, and broadened and deepened the organization’s presence in Texas. Other enterprises supported by the organization included affordable housing, health care, and dignified aging facilities. This work is expected to create more than 275 permanent and 400 construction-related jobs, further providing help to those who live in the communities Capital Impact serves.

The National Association of Home Builders awarded Habitat for Humanity with the Judges Special Recognition Award during the annual SAFE awards reception at the 2017 International Builders Show in Orlando.