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Puerto Rico’s recovery faces ongoing privatization challenges
Michelle R. Matisons Civil & GovernmentOn July 9, Puerto Rican officials submitted a 411-page draft recovery plan to the U.S. Congress that outlines Gov. Ricardo Rosselló’s vision for the island’s future as it acknowledges that the death toll from Hurricane Maria may be much larger than originally admitted. This plan states that prior to September’s storm, the island already struggled "with an economic crisis spanning more than a decade." That crisis led a federal oversight board to take over Puerto Rico’s finances in 2016.
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Robust remodeling trends holding steady
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesSome regional and seasonal fluctuations notwithstanding, remodeling activity held steady during the second quarter and appears to be on track to stay that way for the remainder of the year. Market conditions within the housing industry are favoring remodelers, some of whom are reporting backlogs of up to six months on some projects. On the whole, remodelers and designers are optimistic that business will grow in the coming months.
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Turkish Airlines prepares for Istanbul New Airport amid rumors of stake…
Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & AutomotiveTurkish Airlines, on the back of its highest ever load factors, has undertaken a trial operation of the Istanbul New Airport and announced plans for the largest movement of equipment in civil aviation history ahead of its October opening. It has certainly been a momentous time for the Turkish flag carrier and its growing dominance of air travel in Europe and the Middle East. On Aug. 9, the airline reported it carried a record 7.5 million passengers and 119,000 tons of cargo in July, marking its best ever month, with a $258 million net operating profit in the first half of 2018.
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Matthew Pollard shares 3 steps to rapid growth
Jason Zimmerman Construction & Building MaterialsMatthew Pollard, the "Rapid Growth Guy," shared his blueprint for growth and success as the general keynote speaker Aug. 9 at the 18th annual Sunbelt Builders Show™, hosted by the Texas Association of Builders at the Hilton Anatole. Pollard, the founder and CEO of Rapid Growth, LLC, is dedicated to achieving maximum ROI for business of all sizes. But his passion is helping small business owners. His methods have transformed more than 3,500 businesses.
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Roy Spence: We need to build a new home for America
Jason Zimmerman Construction & Building Materials"We have a marketing problem in America." So said Roy Spence, co-founder and chairman of GSD&M, a leading marketing communications and advertising company, to attendees of the 18th annual Sunbelt Builders Show™, hosted by the Texas Association of Builders at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. "All we hear is the political sides, on all sides, who would perpetuate and 'us vs. them' culture. Us versus them is not the purpose of America. Us versus them is not the promise of America." To combat this divide, Spence — whose agency has helped grow some of the world’s most successful brands — decided to take on America as his client.
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The best methods for client presentations
Michael J. Berens Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesWhile some still prefer the napkin sketch, architects and designers today have a battery of tools they can employ to convey their visions to clients and stakeholders. But which have the biggest impact on viewers? It may seem a no-brainer that animated digital representations such as virtual reality (VR) and artificial reality (AR) win hands down. That, however, is not always the case. What matters most is not the medium, but the message.
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Wolves, transport infrastructure and ‘trophic cascades’
Lucy Wallwork Transportation Technology & AutomotiveWhat have wolves got to do with railway lines? A video that has gone viral on YouTube tells the story of so-called "trophic cascades" through the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park — a small-scale change that set off a chain reaction of responses in the park’s complex ecosystem. Yellowstone Park may seem a far cry from the transport infrastructure of our biggest cities. However, the same processes set in action by the wolves can help to better understand how we should approach planning our highways, railways and streets.
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How to re-enter the design job market successfully
Lloyd Princeton Interior Design, Furnishings & FixturesUnemployment is low, and firms are having difficulty filling positions. If you’ve been out of the job market for a while, perhaps raising a family or for other personal reasons, but are ready to start designing again, now might be an ideal time to get back in the game. Even in an employee-driven market like the current one, returning to work after a prolonged absence can be a challenge. You can increase your chances of landing a suitable position by doing some advance preparation before you start replying to job postings.
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Answers to pressing roof maintenance questions
Scott E. Rupp Facilities & GroundsFor those in the position of building management and maintenance, they’ve got twice the responsibility in one area of their lives that most of us do not: they’ve got to keep two roofs over their heads. In the industrial or commercial setting, the roof — one of the most important aspects of commercial building management — can often get overlooked. In most commercial settings, the roof is one of the biggest investments made on a building and, likewise, it must be maintained beyond most other aspects.
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Tariffs weigh on housing market
Michael J. Berens Construction & Building MaterialsPresent and future U.S. tariffs on imported goods are taking their toll on housing, as both builders and would-be buyers worry about rising costs and the likelihood that economic growth will begin to slow next year. The impact can be seen in market indicators for June, which fell across the board. Dragged down by rising materials and labor costs, the rate of new home construction dropped 12.3 percent in June compared to May, a nine-month low. Single-family starts dropped by 9.1 percent.
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