The St. Louis region ranks second in the United States for minerals and ores exports, primarily including metals and metal products. The availability of economically viable rare earth elements coupled with unparalleled transportation access and skilled workforce, is credited with attracting investment and contributing to the 39.3% increase in iron and steel mill employment experienced […]
Russell “Russ” Lee Burns, recently retired president and CEO of Clayco, died on March 20th. At the time of Mr. Burns retirement in late 2024, Clayco Founder and Executive Chairman Bob Clark wrote a tribute essay titled, Russ Burns: A Whole Bunch of Something. Mr. Burns was born and raised in Murfreesboro, TN and graduated […]
From St. Louis Magazine: When Greater St. Louis Inc. was formed four years ago, Bob Clark wasn’t among the investors. The founder and executive chairman of Clayco is a St. Louis native who retains a deep interest in local affairs—and, despite moving his headquarters to Chicago, maintains a residence and some 800 employees in the […]
In light of the rapidly evolving landscape around US immigration policy, AGC of America has published an online resource center for contractors. Contractors can explore essential resources and information on topics such as ICE site visits, I-9 & E-Verify processes, and more to safeguard their business and stay in compliance with rapidly changing guidelines. The […]
“What’s Next” is the theme of Construction Forum’s 2024 annual report, which you can access by clicking this link. The report will be available in print form shortly. To order a copy email info@constructforstl.org. “With rededication to its position as the industry’s premier communication, collaboration, and convening channel; strong program metrics; and innovative new initiatives, […]
From Industry Week: With the current administration’s emphasis on cracking down on illegal immigrants, employers can expect that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be either showing up on their property or conducting audits to examine whether any employees are not authorized to work. Even if everyone in the workplace has nothing to fear, the […]
From National Public Radio: In 1980, Lauren Sugerman was enrolled in a vocational program aimed at getting more women and Black Americans into the steel mills. Then, an industrial giant came calling. It had won a federal contract to maintain and repair elevators for the Chicago Housing Authority. Under an executive order signed 15 years […]
From St. Louis Business Journal: Advanced manufacturing and workforce development centers have proliferated over the past few years in the St. Louis area. Fueled by federal and state funding, the multimillion-dollar facilities have an ambitious mission: to provide skilled workers for existing businesses, attract new companies and help boost the population of the metro area. […]
From Spectrum News: An eager crowd of Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) staff, Missouri politicians and onlookers, gathered in Foristell for a MoDOT ceremonious groundbreaking of the second Improve I-70 project: Warrenton to Wentzville. that we’re going through.” In the next three years of construction, crews will add a third lane to both westbound and eastbound I-70 […]
From Industrial Safety & Hygiene News: Can OSHA, never beloved by many businesses, survive this onslaught? The U.S. Department of Education announced March 11 that it’s cutting its workforce nearly in half — 1,300 workers — a move that Education Secretary Linda McMahon said is a first step toward eliminating the department. (There are 1,865 […]
From National Association of Home Builders: Scarcity and an acute, sustained rise in building material costs — from softwood lumber to distribution transformers — are driving up the cost to construct homes and harming housing affordability. There are several factors driving this trend, notably inflationary pressures and global factors, including trade uncertainty. NAHB estimates that $204 […]
NewGround, a St. Louis-based international architectural design and build firm, announces the addition of Danielle Calcara in the newly created role of senior vice president of marketing. She brings 17 years of experience in marketing and, together with the current marketing team, further positions NewGround as a brand leader in the industry. Danielle will lead […]
Entertainment Cruise Productions (ECP), a growing leader in live entertainment at sea, sought a new workplace in the St. Louis metro area that reflected its fun spirit and accommodated its future real estate needs. The company turned to experienced hospitality and workplace designers Lawrence Group to envision a new workspace that blurred the line between […]
As crews from N.B. West Contracting Co. worked on a rural road with no shoulders last year, the paving machine operator sat extended out from his machine to get a better view of the work. When a dump truck unexpectedly passed from behind, its mirror struck the paving operator’s seat. Luckily, there was no major injury. But […]
KAI 360 Construction Services (KAI 360 CS) has expanded its staff in St. Louis, with the addition of Vera Cavato as Senior Project Manager. In her new role, Cavato acts as the primary point of contact and liaison between owners, design teams, and contractors on various projects. She is also responsible for the internal and […]
From HOK: Cities around the world are struggling with office towers left empty from the pandemic and the shift to hybrid work. In London, HSBC Bank recently announced it will vacate 8 Canada Square, its 42-story headquarters building, by 2027. The move could leave a colossal city landmark completely empty in London’s once-booming Canary Wharf […]
From the Influential Project Manager: When I think back to my first major project in 2013, I still cringe. It was a disaster – no organization, constant miscommunication, moving targets, unhappy stakeholders, and a team on the verge of burnout. The entire process felt chaotic and broken. “Is this normal?” I asked a senior colleague […]
From the American Institute of Architects: The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score was 45.5 for the month, indicating that a majority of firms are still experiencing declining firm billings. Billings were flat early in the fourth quarter of 2024 but have softened significantly since then. February also marked the first month since the height […]
by Jarrad Holst, Partner at Riezman Berger P.C. | Founder/President of 1904Group I came across this amazing life lesson from Anthony Bourdain on the wall of a restaurant last night and it reminded me of my first jobs in the service industry at Sears and Walgreens. “You can always tell when a person has worked […]
From ENR: Propelled largely by specialty contractors’ hiring of an estimated 14,600 new workers, the construction industry saw an overall increase of 19,000 jobs in February, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ March 7 jobs report. This latest overall gain adds up to an increase of 174,000 industry positions over the past 12 […]
stLouIST