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07/19/2018
Message from Beth--July 19, 2018
Candidates for Governor share ideas for infrastructure funding; ACEC Ohio becomes founding member of the FOR Ohio Coalition
07/19/2018
2019 Engineering Excellence Awards Call for Entries
Showcase your projects by submitting an entry in the ACEC Ohio 2019 Engineering Excellence Awards
07/19/2018
ACEC Ohio Committee's Need You!
Join an ACEC Ohio committee this year and provide your ideas while experiencing personal and professional growth
07/19/2018
ACEC Ohio Political Action Program Making an Impact!
Advocating on behalf of the Business of Engineering, the PAC is a key component moving the needle at the State and Federal Level
06/27/2018
Last chance to complete the ACEC Ohio Membership Survey!
Survey closes July 6th, take 3 minutes today and give us your feedback
06/21/2018
Message from Beth--June 21, 2018
An overview of the last year at ACEC Ohio by the numbers and in pictures
06/21/2018
TRIP releases report on Modernizing Ohio's Transportation System
Shortfall in transportation system funding and cost to Ohio motorists highlighted
06/19/2018
Annual Meeting welcomes Jim Kleingers as new Board Chair
ACEC Ohio members enjoy annual meeting presentations; thank you sponsors
06/19/2018
Chapter Integration = One ACEC
Chapter Integration changes effective July 1, 2018 - what you need to know!
06/08/2018
Registration OPEN for Candidate Forum--July 10, 2018
Candidates for Governor Mike DeWine and Rich Cordray to attend this ACEC Ohio sponsored event
06/04/2018
Don't miss the ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting on June 14th!
Benchmark your company against growth, profit and industry trends from across the Engineering Consulting Industry!
05/24/2018
Message from Beth -- May 24, 2018
Welcome Holly Roberto to ACEC Ohio, Step 1 of the Chapter Integration Initiative
05/24/2018
Don't miss the ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting on June 14th!
Benchmark your company against growth, profit and industry trends from across the Engineering Consulting Industry!
05/24/2018
ACEC Ohio Committees Working Hard
The new OFCC --A/E RFQ--a result of work by the State Public Works Committee
05/24/2018
ACEC Ohio Welcomes Three New Members and a New Affiliate Member
Onyx Creative/BlueStreak Consulting, Singh + Associates, Pinnacle Engineering and Two CPA's & Consultants
05/09/2018
2018 Primary Election Results
A detailed look at all races from the May 8, 2018 primary provided by Government Advantage Group
05/07/2018
Access Ohio is being updated--Public Meetings Schedule
Meetings start May 7th-May 17th, join the conversation on transportation!
04/26/2018
Message from Beth -- April 26, 2018
ACEC Ohio delegation meets with Congressional Members on key issues
04/26/2018
2018 ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference Registration Open!
Social Event on May 30th at PINS Mechanical and the Conference on May 31 at The Hyatt Regency Columbus
04/26/2018
ACEC Ohio Chapter Integration Update
The Implementation Plan includes key focus areas and a change in the chapter dues structure
04/26/2018
2018 ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting Presents the State of the Engineering Consulting Industry
Guest speakers include Josh Lahre of EFCG Consulting - Financial and Strategic Advisors as well as a JobsOhio Panel Discussion from Business Sector Directors.
03/23/2018
2018 ODOT/ ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference Registration OPEN
May 31, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus, register today!
03/23/2018
ACEC explains Federal $1.3 Trillion Spending Bill
The bill provides substantial increases for transportation accounts. Highway programs are funded at $47.5 billion, an increase of $3.5 billion above FY 2017 and $2.5 billion above FAST Act levels.
03/23/2018
Message from Beth--March 23, 2018
ACEC Ohio has been working over the past year with Representative Bill Seitz on a piece of legislation which would regulate the use of indemnity provisions in contracts related to public improvements.
03/23/2018
The 2018 Engineering Excellence Awards a Big Success
Congratulations to the 2018 ACEC Ohio Engineering Excellence Grand Award winner, DLZ Ohio, as well as all award recipients!
03/23/2018
Join your ACEC Ohio friends at the ACEC Annual Convention
An action packed 3+ days of great speakers, networking, educational sessions and Congressional visits awaits you in Washington, D.C.
03/23/2018
RSVP today for the ACEC Ohio's Northeast Regional PAC Event
ACEC Ohio will be hosting our first Regional PAC Event on Tuesday, April 3rd at the Holiday Inn in Strongsville.
03/12/2018
ACEC National seeks input on NYU Survey
Specifically the Corps of Engineers and the Naval Facilities Command (NAVFAC), please complete the survey if your firm works with these agencies.
03/05/2018
You are invited to the Northeast Ohio PAC Event Event--April 3, 2018
Congressional Candidate, Anthony Gonzalez, is the special guest for the Council's first regional PAC Event.
02/27/2018
Message from Beth--February 27, 2018
Over 50 ACEC Ohio members enjoyed the second annual PAC Kick-Off Event with special guests Gubernatorial Candidate, Rich Cordray and OSU Basketball Analyst, Rick Smith.
02/27/2018
Jim Kleingers nominated to serve as next Chair of the ACEC Ohio Board of Directors
Nominating Committee submits recommendations at February Board Meeting
02/27/2018
Connect with ACEC Ohio Committees
ACEC Ohio Committees have been busy at work advocating for the business of engineering, see what has been going on
02/27/2018
Welcome to new ACEC Ohio members!
Tekton Engineering and Lanham Engineering join to take advantage of the ACEC Ohio member benefits.
02/12/2018
Infrastructure Proposal Details Released
The Administration has released the long-anticipated infrastructure proposal today, full details included.
01/29/2018
RSVP today for 2018 PAC Kick-Off
Join ACEC Ohio at our 2018 PAC kick-off event with special guests Richard Cordray, candidate for Governor and Rick Smith, former Captain of the OSU men's basketball team and basketball color analyst for 10TV news.
01/29/2018
ACEC Ohio Partners with ODOT on Multiple Events
Showcase your company, submit to the ODOT/ACEC Partnering Awards, Diversity and Inclusion Awards or an Ohio Planning Conference Abstract.
01/29/2018
Johnny DeLoretto returns to emcee Engineering Excellence Awards on March 8th
The Engineering Excellence Awards (EEAs) are just around the corner, RSVP today!
01/09/2018
You are invited to the 2018 PAC kick-off Event--February 8, 2018
Join ACEC Ohio at our 2018 PAC kick-off event, enjoying house-made craft tastings and wonderful food along with special guest Richard Cordray, candidate for Governor and Rick Smith, former Captain of the OSU men's basketball team and basketball color analyst for 10TV news.
01/03/2018
Nomination forms for the 2018 Partnering and Diversity/Inclusion Awards!
January 31 and March 23, 2018 are the due dates
12/19/2017
Message from Beth--December 19, 2017
Thank you for your membership. The year ahead will be an important one as we go to the polls to elect a new Governor, a U.S. Senator, 16 members of Congress, 99 state representatives and 17 state senators.
12/19/2017
Tax Reform Success- Conference Vote today
Both "passthrough" and C-corps see tax relief. Thank you to ACEC Ohio members for your grassroots effort to inform your congressional member about the impact of the tax reform bill on your business.
12/15/2017
ACEC Ohio's 2018 PAC Kick-Off Event
The ACEC Ohio Political Action Committee invites you to the second annual PAC Kick-Off Event on February 8, 2018. Thank you to those member firms who met their 2017 PAC Goal!
12/15/2017
ACEC Ohio Welcomes Five New Members
SHA Engineering, Nexus Engineering Group, JHI Group, Paul J Ford and Company as well as Eco Engineering join ACEC Ohio.
12/08/2017
Tax Reform Update--Conference Committee at work
The Tax Reform bill has gone to conference committee and Senator Rob Portman from Ohio is one of the conferees, see analysis from ACEC.
12/08/2017
House Bill 180--Residency Bill Ruled Invalid
In a decision that was issued in a comparatively short time period, the Eighth Appellate District Court of Appeals' in Cuyahoga County affirmed the trial court's decision that the Local Hire law passed by the Ohio legislature and signed into law by the Governor, is a not a valid exercise of the legislature' constitutional authority, and that the statute unconstitutionally infringes on the city's Home-Rule authority.
12/05/2017
Member Firm Leaders Asked to Complete the Streamlined EBI Survey of Member Firm Leaders
Member Firm Leaders Participation Encouraged in the ACEC’s Engineering Business Index survey for the 3rd quarter 2016
11/28/2017
Tax Reform Message from ACEC
We need a continued strong grassroots push to reinforce our central message that all firms – regardless of firm size or tax structure – deserve equitable treatment in the tax code.
11/21/2017
Message from Beth--November 21, 2017
Tax reform bill still problematic for passthrough engineering firms; learn more about the priorities of the ACEC Ohio Chapter Integration Task Force.
11/21/2017
ACEC Ohio Committees hard at work, see what is going on
A busy month at ACEC Ohio with JobsOhio and ODAS (Edge Program) joining committee meetings and wishing "good luck" to Lyle Flower in his retirement.
11/21/2017
Another big year for the Engineering Excellence Awards!
The 2018 Engineering Excellence Awards judging panel truly had their work cut out for them this year! It has been another big year in engineering, we received 28 entries from 22 firms.
11/21/2017
Salary, Fringe and Business Practices Survey Launched November 9th
This survey is a value-added benefit for you and your business from ACEC Ohio and we hope you participate by the deadline on December 8, 2017.
11/17/2017
Statement from ACEC on Tax Reform
Both Senate and House tax reform proposals treat small and mid-size engineering firms unfairly.
11/13/2017
ACEC Ohio expresses concern with U.S. Senate Tax Reform Proposal
The Senate bill excludes certain passthrough businesses that provide professional services – including engineering and architectural firms – from qualifying for the new deduction.
11/07/2017
Additional information on Tax Reform Proposal
Affiliate member, Somerset CPAs and Advisors, provide an update on the first step in Tax Reform that was announced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives.
11/06/2017
ACEC Ohio weighs in on Tax Reform
The House Ways and Means Committee has released a tax reform plan that could actually raise taxes for engineering firms organized as passthrough businesses, including S corporations, partnerships, and LLCs. ACEC member firms are asked to contact their Representatives today to express their concerns about the plan.
10/25/2017
Message from Beth--October 26, 2017
ACEC Ohio shines at ACEC Fall Conference and member input needed on Tax Reform proposal in U.S. House of Representatives.
10/25/2017
ACEC Ohio plans to launch new Salary, Fringe and Business Practices Survey
This year, the Council is launching a new survey administered by The Owens Group that will cover Salary and Fringe Benefits as well as Business Practices. This online survey will be sent out fourth quarter.
10/24/2017
Get involved at ACEC Ohio--Committee and Chapter Updates
ACEC Ohio panel headlines chapter meetings in November. Join your chapter for an update on key strategic initiatives as well as legislative issues at both the State and Federal level.
10/24/2017
Engineering Excellence Awards Deadline is Here
Two new faces join the judging panel. The deadline for the 2018 Engineering Excellence Awards project entries is November 2, 2017.
10/18/2017
Last Chance to Apply for Workers' Compensation
2018 Group Rating available until October 23, 2017
10/02/2017
Engineering Excellence Awards Submission Deadline
The ACEC Ohio Engineering Excellence Awards submission deadline is exactly one month away. If you have yet to choose your project, get with your clients today!
09/25/2017
Message from Beth--September 26, 2017
ACEC Ohio is making an impact at the Statehouse, take a look at our new hand-out on transportation funding!
09/25/2017
Connect with ACEC Ohio--Committees in Full Swing
The new year has started out very busy for ACEC Ohio Committees, including liaison meetings with ODNR, OFCC, OEPA and ODOT.
09/25/2017
Get Your Clients Excited!
Get your engineering project that exhibits innovation, complexity, achievement and value identified today!
09/25/2017
ACEC Ohio Member Display's at OTEC
Snap a picture and post it to Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #ACECOH and tag us @ACECohio to show off your display!
09/11/2017
ACEC PAC Summer Sweepstakes Deadline Extended to September 29th
$25 per ticket; Grand Prize $1000
08/30/2017
Interested in Continuing Education Events?
ACEC Ohio Affiliate Member DesignPro is now offering Continuing Education events across Ohio.
08/24/2017
NE Ohio PAC Event to be Rescheduled
The August 31st event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a later date.
08/22/2017
Mat Mauger named to head Office of Consultant Services
Ohio Department of Transportation announcement
06/08/2016
Nearly 400 attend ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference
Yesterday's fifth annual ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference, held at the Ohio Union in Columbus, was another record-setter in terms of attendance.
06/03/2016
ACEC-backed bill banning cities from imposing residency quotas is signed into law
ACEC Ohio-backed legislation that prohibits political jurisdictions from imposing local hiring quotas on engineers and contractors has been signed into law by Governor John Kasich.
06/02/2016
ACEC Ohio urges legislators to reject PVC pipe bill
Legislation that would prohibit local governments from exercising a preference for the type of pipe that is used in water and wastewater projects infringes on the judgment of the professional engineer and should be rejected, ACEC Ohio told state lawmakers last week.
04/27/2016
$2.6 billion capital improvements budget taking wings through Ohio General Assembly
A $2.6 billion, two-year state capital improvements budget, which funds all manner of projects in virtually every county, is taking wings through the Ohio General Assembly.
04/26/2016
ACEC Ohio members meet with majority of state's Congressional delegation during national convention
Fifteen ACEC Ohio members attended the Council's annual convention in Washington, DC, last week and took advantage of the opportunity to meet with most of the members of the state's Congressional delegation to discuss issues of importance to the industry.
04/26/2016
'Early Bird' registration for ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference ends Tuesday, May 3
Next Tuesday, May 3, is the deadline to get the 'Early Bird" registration rate for the annual ODOT/ACEC Ohio Partnering Conference, to be held Tuesday, June 7, in Columbus.
04/25/2016
Four months into the year, 21 firms hit their voluntary PAC fundraising goals
A third of the way through the year, 21 ACEC Ohio member firms have met their 2016 voluntary contribution goals for ACEC's state and national political action committees, but many more firms need to pitch in order for the Council to hit its target numbers.
03/21/2016
Beth Easterday selected to be next Executive Director of ACEC Ohio
Beth Easterday has been selected by the ACEC Ohio Board of Directors to be the organization's new Executive Director. She will officially assume her duties July 1.
03/20/2016
AECOM captures Grand Award in Engineering Excellence Awards competition
Providing the structural engineering and building systems design for the new $768 million Louisiana State University Medical Center in New Orleans has earned AECOM Technical Services the top award in ACEC Ohio's Engineering Excellence Awards competition.
03/19/2016
Michael E. Duffey, of SSOE Group, nominated to serve as next ACEC Ohio President
Michael E. Duffey, a principal with the SSOE Group, based in Toledo, has been nominated to serve as the next president of ACEC Ohio, effective July 1.
03/18/2016
Big Ohio contingent to attend national convention; sign up and plan to visit your Congressional representatives
A big contingent from Ohio is registered to attend next month's national ACEC Annual Convention and Legislative Summit in Washington, DC, but there's still time for you to sign up and arrange to visit with your members of Congress.
02/10/2016
Proposal for $1 billion water infrastructure bond issue gets first Senate hearing
A rare bipartisan proposal that would see the state issue $1 billion in bonds over a decade to fund water infrastructure projects around the state got its first hearing in the Ohio Senate Tuesday.
02/09/2016
Fourteen project entries to be honored at March 10 Engineering Excellence Awards luncheon
Fourteen entries, ranging from the design of massive building and public works construction projects to the rehabilitation of a covered bridge, will be honored at ACEC Ohio's Engineering Excellence Awards luncheon on March 10 in Columbus.
02/08/2016
Ban local hiring quotas, ACEC Ohio urges legislative committee
State lawmakers came very close to passing legislation last year to prohibit municipalities from imposing local hiring quotas on those who want to compete for city contracts. In testimony before the House Government Affairs Committee last week, ACEC Ohio Executive Director Don Mader urged legislators to finish the job.
12/28/2015
Governor insists he won't give up on extending sales tax to services
Even though extending the state sales tax to services has been rejected twice by the Ohio General Assembly, Governor John Kasich said last week he will not give up on the idea.
12/28/2015
Don Mader to retire as ACEC Ohio Executive Director; search for successor underway
After 34 years of service, Don Mader, executive director of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Ohio, will retire effective June 30, 2016.
10/29/2015
ACEC Ohio launches annual salary, fringe benefit survey
Whether your company is seeking to hire new technical staff, or just trying to retain the quality staff you have, it is vital that your firm’s salary and fringe benefit plans are competitive in the industry. That’s why your company should participate in ACEC Ohio’s 2015 Salary & Fringe Benefit Survey.
10/27/2015
CPD requirement can't be fulfilled merely by correspondence course, registration board warns
Professional engineers and surveyors shouldn't be misled into thinking they can meet their biennial continuing professional development requirement just by completing a correspondence course, warns the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Surveyors.
10/05/2015
Sewer district can impose storm water management fees, court rules
A Cleveland-area sewer district has the power to assess regional storm water management fees in an area covering 60 cities, villages and townships in four counties, according to a recent ruling of the Ohio Supreme Court.
09/29/2015
Work underway on new two-year state capital budget bill; few local enhancement projects to be funded
The process of developing the state's next two-year capital improvements budget bill is just getting underway and the state's budget director is already warning that there won't be much in the bill in the way of funding for local community enhancement projects.
09/02/2015
Bipartisan group of state senators proposes new $1 billion bond fund to finance water, sewer projects
A bipartisan group of members of the Ohio Senate has introduced legislation that could eventually authorize the state to issue up to $1 billion in bonds to help upgrade and expand local water and wastewater facilities.
09/01/2015
There's still time to volunteer to serve on an ACEC Ohio committee
With summer winding down and your calendar filling up, serving on an ACEC Ohio committee may not be high on your priority list. But it should be.
09/01/2015
Two months remain till deadline for submission of Engineering Excellence Awards competition entries
Many ACEC Ohio firms are busy preparing their entries for the 2016 Engineering Excellence Awards competition, but even if you haven't started yours yet, you still have two months to "git 'er done."
07/06/2015
Lynn Miggins begins service as new ACEC Ohio President
Lynn S. Miggins, of KS Associates, Inc., in Elyria, assumed the reins as the new president of ACEC Ohio at the Council's Annual Meeting on June 25, succeeding Richard J. Iafelice, of CT Consultants, Inc.
07/03/2015
Firms recovering from recession, but not all the way back, Deltek A/E survey shows
Design firms are continuing their steady recovery from the recession but have yet to return to the level of financial strength they enjoyed prior to the downturn, according to the 2014 Deltek Clarity A/E Industry study.
07/02/2015
Best aspect of new state budget: no sales tax on services
For engineering companies, the best feature of the new two-year state budget signed into law by Governor John Kasich last week is what it doesn't contain: his proposal to extend the state sales tax to engineering services.
05/21/2015
PVC pipe advocates again seek to limit engineer's design options
For the second year in a row, advocates of the PVC pipe industry are asking the Ohio General Assembly to limit the professional engineer's ability to specify the most appropriate piping material for local government water and wastewater projects.
05/21/2015
Earn a chunk of continuing education credits, improve your decision-making skills by attending Annual Meeting
Professional engineers can earn a big chunk of their biennial requirement for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours – and learn how to improve their decision-making skills – by attending the ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting, June 25, in Grove City.
05/20/2015
Ban municipal residency quotas on engineers, contractors, ACEC Ohio urges legislators
Cities should be prohibited from forcing engineering and construction firms to hire a quota of city residents as a condition of competing for contracts, ACEC Ohio told a committee of the Ohio House of Representatives Tuesday.
04/29/2015
Developer of 'Infotuition' decision-making model to present at June 25 Annual Meeting
If you or members of your management team are prone to over-thinking decisions, you should mark Thursday, June 25 on your calendar and plan to attend the ACEC Ohio Annual Meeting, at which nationally recognized speaker, author and management consultant Shelley Row will share with you her Infotuition™ decision-making model.
04/29/2015
Big contingent of Buckeyes attends national convention, lobby Ohio members of Congress
The largest contingent of ACEC Ohio members in recent memory traveled to Washington last week to attend the national Council's convention and visit with members of Ohio's Congressional delegation.
04/27/2015
Ohio House kills Kasich tax plan, but Senate may have other ideas
Even though Governor John Kasich's plan to increase business taxes, including levying the state sales tax on engineering services, was rejected by the Ohio House of Representatives last week, he clearly intends to try to resuscitate the plan in the Ohio Senate.
02/26/2015
Lynn Miggins nominated to be next ACEC Ohio President
Lynn S. Miggins, of KS Associates, Inc., in Elyria, has been nominated to become the next president of ACEC Ohio effective July 1.
01/16/2015
National ACEC launches study to compare DOTs' cost of doing engineering in-house versus hiring consultants
ACEC Ohio is encouraging its members to participate in a nationwide study, commissioned by the national ACEC, that will compare the cost to state departments of transportation of performing engineering design in-house versus contracting with consulting engineering companies to provide those services.
01/15/2015
ACEC Ohio member appointed to Ohio Board of Building Standards
ACEC Ohio member Shayne O. Manning, a director at structural engineering firm THP Limited Inc., in Cincinnati, has been appointed to the Ohio Board of Building Standards by Governor John Kasich.
01/12/2015
New legislature likely to resurrect bills left for dead by its predecessor
Before state legislators start introducing bills in the new, two-year session of the Ohio General Assembly that is just getting organized, it is useful to look back at some of the key bills that were passed – or abandoned – in the final "lame duck" days of the last legislative session.
11/11/2014
Local governments must use QBS to award design contracts for water projects receiving State Revolving Fund grants
Local governments must use Qualifications-Based Selection in awarding contracts for the design of water projects financed through Ohio's Clean Water State Revolving Fund, thanks to the lobbying efforts of the national ACEC.
11/11/2014
Council representatives meet with interim OFCC administrator, discuss range of issues
Representatives of ACEC Ohio met with the interim leader of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and his top staff Wednesday to discuss issues relating to the agency's administration and oversight of state building construction projects.
09/24/2014
State's biggest highway project to be designed, built, financed by private team
The Ohio Department of Transportation says it is ready to undertake the largest highway project in the state's history using a new project delivery method, the Public Private Partnership (P3).
08/08/2014
ACEC Ohio hosts confab with Senate President, Transportation Committee Chair
In the middle of an August 7 campaign swing through her northeast Ohio district, Ohio Senate Transportation Committee Chair Gayle Manning – accompanied by Senate President Keith Faber – took time to meet with a group of ACEC Ohio leaders and members.
07/28/2014
Volunteer now to serve on an ACEC Ohio committee
ACEC Ohio President Rich Iafelice is encouraging Council members to help the organization advance the industry's interests by serving on one or more committees.
07/28/2014
Engineering Excellence Awards competition entry rules, guidelines now available
The rules and guidelines for ACEC Ohio's 2015 Engineering Excellence Awards competition are now available. The deadline for submitting project entries is Friday, October 31.
07/01/2014
Do you know a state legislator or member of Congress?
If you have a relationship with a state legislator or member of Congress, please take a couple of minutes to pass this information on to ACEC Ohio by participating in the Council's Legislative Relationship Survey.
07/01/2014
Improvement in business conditions slow, steady, says new Deltek A/E industry study
Business conditions for A/E firms continue to improve slowly and steadily, but the industry still has not fully recovered from the recession, according to the new Deltek Clarity financial performance survey.
06/05/2014
Ohio Senate okays electronic tolls to pay for replacement of Cincinnati bridge, legislature recesses until fall
The Ohio Senate gave its okay Wednesday to a bill previously passed by the state House of Representatives that allows all-electronic toll collection to finance the reconstruction of the Brent Spence Bridge over the Ohio River in Cincinnati.
03/18/2014
$2.39 billion capital budget introduced in Ohio House
A bill providing $2.39 billion over two years to fund state capital improvements and local school construction was introduced Tuesday in the Ohio House of Representatives.
06/13/2013
ACEC joining in effort to stop "patent trolls" from extorting small businesses
Imagine getting a threatening letter from an attorney half way across the country, demanding that you pay $1,000 per employee for the right to use your document scanner or your Wi-Fi system. If you think it can't happen, think again.
05/23/2013
Survey shows rebound in design industry is for real, outlook is good
Profits earned by engineering and architectural firms last year continued their upward climb from the bottom hit in 2009, indicating the design professions are in real recovery mode, according to a highly regarded national survey.
05/23/2013
Kevin Futryk selected to be new ACEC Ohio lobbyist
Kevin L. Futryk, a partner in Government Advantage Group, LLP, has been selected by the ACEC Ohio Board of Directors to serve as the Council's legislative and executive agency representative.
04/28/2013
Meetings begin on OFCC contract documents
Discussions got underway last week between the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission and representatives of the A/E industry regarding problematic provisions included in the new agency's contracts for design services.
04/22/2013
Immediate threat of sales tax on services dead, but danger still exists long-term
The immediate threat of seeing the state sales tax extended to engineering and other business services is dead, but the concept is still very much alive and kicking.
03/23/2013
Ohio's infrastructure gets C- grade from ASCE
The condition of Ohio's infrastructure gets a grade of C-, slightly better than the nation's overall grade of D+, according to the 2013 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, released this week by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
03/07/2013
ACEC tells legislators: Sales tax on engineering will destroy jobs
If the state sales tax is levied on engineering services, Ohio companies will be put at a severe disadvantage with engineering firms outside the state and jobs will be lost.
02/17/2013
Turnpike bonding plan best hope for catching up with highway needs, ACEC Ohio tells legislators
Governor John Kasich's plan to issue highway construction bonds backed by Ohio Turnpike tolls is the only hope the state has of cutting into its backlog of badly needed highway projects anytime soon, ACEC Ohio Executive Director Donald L. Mader told a legislative committee Thursday.
12/28/2012
Utility location law changes passed as curtain drops on legislative session
Before bringing the curtain down on the 129th Ohio General Assembly last week, legislators gave their approval, as expected, to changes in Ohio's underground utility location laws.
12/27/2012
ACEC-AIA delegation meets with leaders of new state construction agency
A delegation of members of ACEC Ohio and AIA Ohio met with representatives of the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission on December 19, the first of what was agreed will be a continuing series of liaison meetings between the new agency and the design industry.
12/08/2012
Supreme Court rules CAT revenue from fuel sales must be used for highways
Commercial Activity Tax revenue collected from the sale of motor fuels must be used for highway-related purposes and not diverted to the state's general fund, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled Friday.
12/08/2012
Nearly 80 members step up to support ACEC's political action committees
A famous comedian used to quip, "Don't ever give money to politicians – it only encourages them!" That's a funny line, and there's more than a grain of truth in it.
12/07/2012
High court's ruling upholding medical statute of repose bodes well for engineers
Professional engineers and other design professionals can take comfort in the decision handed down Thursday by the Ohio Supreme Court that upholds the state's four-year statute of repose for filing medical practice lawsuits.
12/07/2012
Legislators poised to modify underground utility location laws
Legislation strengthening Ohio's underground utility location laws appears to be on its way to enactment in the final days of the current two-year session of the General Assembly.
12/07/2012
SEC's 'Municipal Advisor' rule has harmful ramifications for engineering companies
Engineering companies that provide utility cash-flow modeling and other advice to municipalities will be faced with onerous new regulatory requirements and restrictions if the Security & Exchange Commission's proposed definition of "municipal advisor" is allowed to stand.
10/19/2012
ACEC Ohio leaders 'represent' at national conference
Several officers of ACEC Ohio attended the national Council's Fall Conference in Boca Raton, Florida, earlier this week.
10/10/2012
Forum will make plain how state, national politics affect your engineering business
If you think state and national politics don't have a significant impact on your engineering company, the Legislative & Political Action Forum that ACEC Ohio is sponsoring on October 29 is certain to dispel you of that notion.
10/09/2012
Private companies may repair county roads without following QBS, competitive bidding laws
A county may allow oil and gas drilling companies or wind farm builders to repair road they use at no cost to the county, and the design and construction of such projects would not be subject to the state's QBS or competitive bidding laws.
06/22/2012
Registration open for PSMJ Project Management Bootcamp
Registration is now open for the highly acclaimed PSMJ Project Managment Bootcamp, which ACEC Ohio will sponsor on October 2 and 3, in Columbus.
06/16/2012
Governor signs legislation creating state public works "super agency"
Before the summer is out, Ohio will have a new "super agency" in charge of developing all non-highway state public works projects, including state-assisted local schools.
05/04/2012
House votes to create new Ohio Facilities Construction Commission
Tucked away in a 2,581-page bill passed by the Ohio House of Representatives on April 25 are a couple dozen pages that would make big changes in the way the state of Ohio builds non-highway capital improvement projects.
04/07/2012
Capital budget signed by governor notable for its omissions
The $1.74 billion two-year capital budget bill signed by Governor John Kasich Monday may be distinguished as much for what it doesn't fund as for those projects it does.
04/06/2012
ODNR could eventually be included in merger of Ohio School Facilities Commission and State Architect
Unlike some other proposals in Governor John Kasich's ambitious "Mid-biennium Review" legislation, the planned merger of the Ohio School Facilities Commission and the Office of the State Architect appears on track for legislative approval.
03/15/2012
Merging Office of State Architect, School Facilities Commission proposed by governor
The Office of the State Architect will be merged with the Ohio School Facilities Commission if Governor John Kasich gets his way.
03/15/2012
First state capital budget in four years proposed by Kasich
A "restrained" $1.74 billion state capital improvements budget – the first in four years – was proposed Wednesday by Governor John Kasich.
03/03/2012
Environmental groups blast proposed clean energy bond issue
A proposal that would require the state to issue $13 billion in bonds for clean energy development, but give the state no control over how the funds are spent, hit a brick wall with environmental groups Thursday.
03/03/2012
Steven R. Bergman, of HDR, nominated to be next ACEC Ohio President
Steven R. Bergman, vice president of HDR, Inc., in Cincinnati, has been nominated to serve as the next president of ACEC Ohio effective July 1.
03/02/2012
House 'at a standstill' on transportation spending bill
With less than 30 days remaining before federal funding for highway construction runs out, Congress is no closer to enacting a new surface transportation funding bill than it was a week ago. In fact, today it may be even more of a political uphill climb.
02/27/2012
New project delivery systems now available to state, local governments
State and local government agencies may now make use of sophisticated new public works project delivery systems, thanks to changes in state law enacted last year.
02/24/2012
Welcome to six new member companies!
ACEC Ohio's ranks continue to grow with the addition of six new member companies. Extend a welcome to these new members and consider working with them when possible.
02/23/2012
Senate President makes it clear: no moratorium on 'fracking'
Those calling for Ohio to slap a moratorium on fracking can pretty much forget about it.
02/23/2012
Struggle to pass new federal highway bill changing by the hour
The struggle in to pass a new federal highway funding bill is taking new twists and turns literally by the hour.
11/20/2011
ACEC scores big win with repeal of 3% withholding requirement
Yesterday, Christmas came early for ACEC. With National Council President Dave Raymond looking on, President Obama signed legislation to repeal a tax law that would have required most government agencies to withhold 3 percent from payments made to contractors beginning in 2013.
11/19/2011
Governor says no local projects to be funded in next state capital budget
The state of Ohio's next capital budget will include no funding for local projects such as parks, museums, and recreational facilities, if Governor John Kasich gets his way.
11/04/2011
Rulemaking to implement construction reform law moving ahead, albeit slowly
Slow but steady goes the process of drafting administrative rules that will allow state and local government agencies to use the new public works project delivery methods approved by the Ohio General Assembly last summer.
11/03/2011
Environment & Energy Committee creates five new sub-groups
ACEC Ohio's Environment & Energy Committee is forming five new subcommittees so that the Council can more effectively respond to the wide variety of issues that arise in the environmental arena.
10/26/2011
New publication explains recent amendment of QBS law
The recently enacted amendment of Ohio's Qualifications-Based Selection law for design professionals is explained in a new ACEC Ohio publication.
08/15/2011
Crumbling transportation infrastructure will exact huge economic costs, report warns
The nation’s deteriorating surface transportation infrastructure will cost the American economy more than 870,000 jobs, and suppress the growth of the country’s Gross Domestic Product by $3.1 trillion by 2020, according to a new report commissioned by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
08/11/2011
Volunteer now to serve on an ACEC Ohio committee
ACEC Ohio President Robert W. Campbell (TranSystems Corporation) is encouraging all Council members to volunteer to serve on one or more committees of their choice.
08/02/2011
Local governments will benefit from turnpike lease, ODOT director says
Leasing the Ohio Turnpike could be a boon for cities and counties strapped for funds to build local infrastructure projects, Department of Transportation Director Jerry Wray said last week.
07/09/2011
Public works construction law massively altered by state budget bill
State and local governments will soon have a number of new project delivery systems available to them thanks to massive changes in Ohio's public works construction law that are included in the new state budget bill signed Thursday by Governor John Kasich.
07/08/2011
Budget bill gives legislature approval authority over possible Turnpike lease
Both houses of the Ohio General Assembly will have to give their permission before the state can proceed with any plan to lease the Ohio Turnpike to a private operator.
07/06/2011
Procurement of design by 'reverse auction' blocked – for now
While ACEC Ohio succeeded in keeping language out of the state budget bill that would have permitted local governments to award A/E contracts by reverse auction, it is likely the battle will have to be fought again in the near future.
07/06/2011
ACEC Ohio wins legislative approval of major QBS law amendment
When Governor John Kasich put his signature on the state budget bill Thursday, he also signed into law a major change in the state's Qualifications-Based Selection law for design professionals.
04/05/2011
PE registration would go on two-year cycle under budget bill proposal
Professional engineers and surveyors would renew their licenses every other year, instead of annually, according to a proposal in the general fund budget bill unveiled last week by Governor John Kasich.
04/05/2011
Massive changes in public works construction law included in Kasich budget proposal
Massive changes in Ohio law governing the design and construction of public works projects are included in the 3,224-page state budget bill proposed by Governor John Kasich last week.
04/04/2011
Budget bill language paves way for leasing of Ohio Turnpike
While no deal for the leasing of the Ohio Turnpike has been struck, language in Governor John Kasich's $55.5 billion biennial budget plan certainly paves the way for the administration to move ahead with the concept.
03/24/2011
Transportation budget bill on its way to Governor's desk
A $7 billion, two-year state transportation budget bill awaits the signature of Governor John Kasich after the Ohio Senate approved the bill Wednesday and the House of Representatives concurred in the Senate's amendments.
03/17/2011
Kasich budget gives agencies alternatives to multiple-prime contracting
Ohio's local governments, schools and institutions of higher education would be permitted to build capital projects using a single-prime contractor, rather than the multiple primes now required in state law, under the state general fund budget proposal unveiled Tuesday by Governor John Kasich.
03/16/2011
Ohio Senate might reverse House-made changes in transportation budget bill
A pair of significant policy initiatives deleted from the Kasich Administration's proposed two-year transportation budget bill passed by the Ohio House of Representatives just might find their way back into the version of the bill being considered in the Ohio Senate.
03/03/2011
Policies favoring union contractors dumped by school facilities panel
Local school districts that want state funds to help pay for building projects may no longer require the use of project labor agreements or the payment of prevailing wages in their construction contracts.
03/03/2011
House Committee may add Public Works funding to transportation budget
The Ohio Public Works Commission will run out of money to build local infrastructure projects that are scheduled for the upcoming construction season if the legislature fails to appropriate additional funds for the program soon, the director of the commission told legislators Monday.
03/02/2011
ODOT director says highway construction program will be reduced
Dwindling gasoline tax receipts will force a reduction in Ohio's highway construction program, but proposals to raise funds from other sources aren't attracting much support during hearings now underway on the state's next two-year transportation budget bill.
02/15/2011
Robert W. Campbell, of TranSystems Corp., nominated to be next ACEC Ohio President
Robert W. Campbell, of TranSystems Corp., Columbus, has been nominated to serve as the next president of ACEC Ohio effective July 1.
02/15/2011
Adoption of new building codes stalled by homebuilder opposition
Faced with opposition from homebuilders, proposed updates to the state’s commercial building codes were delayed Monday when the Ohio Board of Building Standards withdrew the proposed code revisions from consideration by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review.
02/15/2011
Transportation budget bill to be introduced this week
The state transportation budget bill, the first of several major two-year budgets that must be approved by the Ohio General Assembly before the new state fiscal year begins July 1, is due to be introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives this week.
02/15/2011
Loan program to help companies clean up their own contaminated properties
Companies that want to clean up pollution on their properties now have access to low-interest loan funds, thanks to the reconfiguration of a little-used state brownfield program.
01/18/2011
Former ACEC Ohio members named to state agency posts
Governor John Kasich has named top administrators for most of the state agencies of importance to Ohio engineering companies, and among them are several former ACEC Ohio members.
01/18/2011
Seminar examines cost accounting requirements on federal contracts
If your company has design contracts funded with federal dollars, what you don't know about federal cost accounting standards and limits can cost you dearly.
01/17/2011
ACEC Ohio seeks to resolve fee negotiation issues at Columbus airport
ACEC Ohio is attempting to resolve concerns voiced by member companies regarding fee negotiation practices of the Columbus Regional Airport Authority.
01/17/2011
Governor considers leasing Ohio Turnpike to private operator
The possibility of leasing the Ohio Turnpike to a private operator will be considered by Governor John Kasich, but the proceeds of any such deal would not be used to help reduce the huge general fund budget shortfall facing the state.
11/23/2010
Shift in political landscape portends big changes for Ohio School Facilities Commission
Republican John Kasich’s victory in the Nov. 2 gubernatorial election almost certainly portends big changes in the way the Ohio School Facilities Commission funds and oversees the construction of local school projects.
11/23/2010
Legislators may again tap gas tax to fund Highway Patrol
Just a few years ago, transportation advocates persuaded Ohio lawmakers to stop funding the operations of the State Highway Patrol out of the proceeds of the state’s motor fuel tax, freeing up well over $100 million for additional highway and bridge construction projects.
03/31/2010
Don't use 'quality contracting' rules to steer contracts, court warns
Government agencies may adopt "quality contracting" rules, but they can't use them to steer contracts to preferred bidders, the Ohio Supreme Court warned in a ruling last week that could be very costly to Franklin County.
03/31/2010
Three projects selected for state construction reform pilot program
Three university building projects of various sizes have been selected to test whether state agencies and educational institutions should be permitted to use an expanded range of project delivery systems for constructing capital facilities.
03/28/2010
ACEC Retirement Trust adds 'IncomeFlex' option
A new investment option that offers the features of both a defined benefit and a defined contribution pension plan is now available through the ACEC Retirement Trust.
03/26/2010
Senate may hold hearings on passenger rail plan
The Republican-controlled Ohio Senate may hold hearings on Governor Ted Strickland's plan to institute passenger rail service in the Cincinnati-Columbus-Cleveland corridor before deciding whether to allow the project to move ahead.
03/11/2010
Special inspections is subject of May 12 ACEC Ohio seminar
Few provisions in the Ohio Building Code are as misunderstood as the requirement for special inspections, which is why ACEC Ohio is sponsoring a half-day seminar on the topic in Columbus on May 12.
03/11/2010
Legislators begin work on state capital budget bill
While Democrats in the Ohio House of Representatives are moving forward with development of a new two-year capital improvements budget bill, Republicans in the Ohio Senate are saying, "not so fast."
03/10/2010
Stan Harris, of Stantec, nominated to serve as next ACEC Ohio president
Stan A. Harris, of Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., in Cincinnati, has been nominated to serve as the next president of ACEC Ohio beginning July 1.
03/09/2010
ACEC Ohio opposes call to divert fuel tax revenue from highway construction
ACEC Ohio will oppose a proposal to amend the Ohio Constitution to remove the requirement that proceeds from the state's motor fuel tax be used only for highway and bridge construction.
02/18/2010
ODOT amends audit guidelines to conform with federal regulations
The Ohio Department of Transportation has amended its controversial Audit Circulars to conform with federal audit guidelines, meaning the state will no longer disallow overhead costs that are permissible under federal guidelines.
02/17/2010
ACEC Ohio member one of two appointees to engineers' licensing board
ACEC Ohio member James D. Mawhorr, P.E., has been appointed to the State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers & Surveyors by Governor Ted Strickland.
02/16/2010
Longstanding dispute over liability threatens to derail underground utility protection bill
The latest effort to revise Ohio's underground utility protection law is foundering due to a longstanding dispute over who should bear the responsibility when utility lines are damaged during construction.
12/24/2007
Court strikes down new political contribution law, but appeals possible
Although a Franklin County trial court has struck down controversial campaign finance restrictions adopted in haste by the Ohio General Assembly a year ago, engineering company owners should continue to abide by the law for now, advises ACEC Ohio's legal counsel.
09/28/2007
State-funded schools must meet new "green" design standards
New schools that receive funding from the Ohio School Facilities Commission must be designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly, according to new guidelines adopted by the commission Thursday.
09/21/2007
Developers should share cost of highway improvements, Governor says
Private developers whose projects benefit from upgrades in the transportation infrastructure should contribute more to covering costs that taxpayers currently pick up, Governor Ted Strickland said Friday.
07/20/2007
Profits down, overhead up in 2006, survey shows
The average ACEC Ohio member company saw its profits decline and its overhead jump last year, according to the results of the Council�s 2006 Financial Performance Survey.
07/20/2007
General Assembly enacts several major changes in political contribution laws
Just when you thought you had a handle on the new political contribution restrictions adopted by the Ohio General Assembly late last year, the law changes.
03/29/2007
ODOT budget bill contains potential veto targets
Both Republican-controlled houses of the Ohio General Assembly voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt a $7.8 billion, two-year budget for the Ohio Department of Transportation, but a pair of provisions in the bill could be killed by line-item vetos when Democratic Governor Ted Strickland sits down to sign the measure later this week.
12/21/2006
Legislature eliminates impediment to electronic plan transmission
Ohio professional engineers will soon be able to electronically transmit an "official" set of plans bearing their digitally encrypted registration seals and signatures thanks to adoption of an ACEC Ohio proposal in the final days of the 126th Ohio General Assembly.
10/06/2006
Bill would force counties to bid engineering contracts
Counties would be required to competitively bid contracts for professional services, including engineering and architecture, if a bill introduced in the Ohio General Assembly were to become law.
08/10/2006
ACEC joins coalition in opposing new fee withholding law
Most government agencies would be required to withhold three percent from all payments for goods and services to secure payment of federal income taxes under a little-noticed provision slipped into tax legislation passed by Congress last year.
01/22/2006
Proposal to restrict retainage on public and private projects reintroduced in Ohio House
Undeterred by their failure to pass a similar bill in the previous General Assembly, subcontractors are again pushing legislation that would limit the withholding of retainage on both public and private construction projects.
01/20/2006
House passes bill to set higher energy efficiency standards for state buildings
Legislation aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of new and existing state buildings and public schools passed in the Ohio House of Representatives January 17.
12/27/2005
Engineering costs eligible for payment under grant program
Site engineering and environmental remediation costs can be paid from grants that will be awarded under the state's new $150 million Job Ready Site program, which was approved by voters in November as part of Issue 1.
11/01/2005
Design of state facilities would be subject to 'green building' rules under proposed law
All new state-funded facilities will be required to be designed and constructed in accordance with "green building" energy efficiency standards if legislation now being considered in the Ohio House of Representatives becomes law.
10/31/2005
Legislature approves moratorium on use of eminent domain
Governor Bob Taft says he expects to sign a bill passed by the Ohio General Assembly last week that would impose a moratorium on the use of eminent domain by state and local governments.
06/24/2005
Commercial Activity Tax adopted by General Assembly
The two-year state budget bill passed by the Ohio General Assembly includes a new, 0.26 percent tax on the annual gross receipts of nearly all businesses in return for elimination or reductions in several other state taxes.
06/13/2005
Those in "responsible charge" of PE and PS services soon must be full-time employees.
Effective May 18, companies that hold a Certificate of Authorization to offer engineering or surveying services must appoint one or more full-time partners, managers, members, officers or directors as being in responsible charge of the firm�s engineering and surveying services.
