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NIBS, RICS Project Seeks Ways to Expand Use of Public-Private Partnerships, Promote High-Performance
As federal agencies deal with ongoing budget challenges, especially for capital projects, and aging assets facing significant maintenance backlogs, they are seeking new mechanisms to make sure they can continue carrying out their missions. Coupled with these funding constraints, agencies are under increased pressure to improve performance around energy and water use
Standard Mortgage’s Steven Bradshaw Testifies on Flood Insurance
Steven Bradshaw, Executive Vice President of Standard Mortgage Corporation, on behalf of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), testified today before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance at a hearing titled, "How to Create a More Robust and Private Flood Insurance Marketplace."
Statement from NAHB Chairman Tom Woods on House Passage of Resolution Overturning WOTUS Rule
Tom Woods, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Blue Springs, Mo., today issued the following statement on the passage of a House resolution (S. J. Res. 22) that would rescind the Environmental Protection Agency's "waters of the United States" rule:
Solar Industry Applauds Gov. Cuomo’s Commitment to Clean Energy
Following is a statement from Rick Umoff, Director of State Affairs for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to today’s remarks by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in his 2016 State of the State
NAR Forecast: Modest Increase in Home Sales Expected in 2016
Following the housing market's best year in nearly a decade, existing-home sales are forecasted to expand in 2016 at a more moderate pace as pent-up buyer demand combats affordability pressures and meager economic growth, according to National Association of Realtors® Chief Economist Lawrence Yun in a newly-released video on his 2016 housing market expectations.
Apartment Industry Response to the State of the Union
Statement from the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC) and National Apartment Association (NAA) released prior to President Obama’s State of the Union address
ConsensusDocs Releases New Multi-Party IPD Agreement and Joining Agreement
Today, the ConsensusDocs Coalition is publishing the highly anticipated 300 Multi-Party Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) Agreement and the related 396 Joining Agreement. The new documents reflect a comprehensive revision of the ConsensusDocs 300 IPD Agreement, which was an industry-first document when published in 2007. The working group formed to update the documents was co-chaired by Joe Cleves, Construction head and partner at DBL Law, who possesses extensive experience on IPD agreements, and has served as LCI's outside general counsel
Study Demonstrates LEED-ND Rating System Falls Short on Affordable Housing
The national Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® for Neighborhood Development (LEED-ND) fails to encourage developers to include affordable housing in new developments. Nicola Szibbo, PhD, a planner with the City and County of Honolulu, reports her recent findings in the Winter 2016 (Vol. 82, No.1) issue of the Journal of the American Planning Association (JAPA)
Consumers Energy Provides Nearly $48,000 Energy Efficiency Incentive Check to City of Grand Rapids
Improvements to the city of Grand Rapids’ Lake Michigan water filtration plant have earned the city a nearly $48,000 incentive payment from Consumers Energy.
Consumers Energy Provides Nearly $100,000 Energy Efficiency Incentive Check to Grand Valley State University
Energy-efficient building designs for two new Grand Valley State University facilities have earned the school a nearly $100,000 incentive payment from Consumers Energy.
With Colder Weather Hitting Michigan, Consumers Energy Reminds People Help is Available to Manage...
With colder weather blanketing Michigan this week, Consumers Energy is reminding people that help is available if they have any concerns managing heating bills.
Winter Weather Brings Safety Reminder from Consumers Energy: Keep Meters, Furnace Intakes Free of...
Mother Nature’s recent delivery of freezing rain, snow and ice to Michigan has Consumers Energy asking people to keep safety in mind by making sure their gas and electric meters and gas furnace fresh air intake pipes are free of snow and ice
Institute Takes Recommendations from Hearing
The U.S. building industry is under increasing pressure to deliver high-performance buildings to meet the needs of owners, occupants and the government. Owners and contractors are looking for opportunities to improve certainty in schedule, performance and cost while managing risks. At the same time, there is an increasing concern from multiple segments of the industry on the availability of a skilled workforce, as well as the productivity of the buildings workforce today and into the future.
Inside the January/February Issue of AARP Bulletin
New Scams to Avoid: Rip-Offs That Target Your Hard-Earned Cash Your Life: The New Face of Hunger Boomers Turn 70: How They’ll Change the World Again Your Money: How to Make Your Money Last Work Well With Young People: Thriving in an Intergenerational Workplace Washington Watch: High Drug Costs Under Spotlight Where We Stand: The Future of Housing
MBA Welcomes 25 New Members
The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) announced that in November and December of 2015 it welcomed 25 new regular members to its ranks, which currently numbers more than 2,200 member companies
National Security Council’s Senior Director for Resilience Policy to Keynote Building Innovation
Alice C. Hill, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Resilience Policy on the White House National Security Council, will deliver the opening keynote address Wednesday, January 13, during Building Innovation 2016 – the National Institute of Building Sciences Fourth Annual Conference & Expo.
CONSTRUCTION FIRMS ADD 45,000 WORKERS IN DECEMBER AS SECTOR’S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HITS 7.5 PERCENT
Construction firms added 45,000 workers in December as the industry's unemployment rate declined to 7.5 percent from 8.3 a year ago, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that the robust job gains come as a new industry outlook shows most firms expect to expand their headcount in 2016 amid growing private and public sector demand
New MBA Survey: Commercial and Multifamily Lenders Expect Strong 2016
Commercial and multifamily mortgage lending is expected to increase in 2016, as lenders' and borrowers' appetites for new loans remain strong, according to a new Mortgage Bankers Association survey of the top commercial and multifamily mortgage origination firms.
Mortgage Credit Availability Decreased in December
Mortgage credit availability decreased in December according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index (MCAI), a report from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) which analyzes data from Ellie Mae's AllRegs® Market Clarity® business information tool.
Consumers Energy Announces Executive Changes, Building on Customer Focus and Commitment to Michigan
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility and the fourth-largest U.S. combination utility, announced today several leadership moves that build on its customer-first focus and commitment to serving Michigan.