DBIA’s mission is to provide the best resources available to help inform and empower our industry. In these uncertain times, that mission is even more important. As our communities fight the Coronavirus, we are working to find the best information available to help design-build teams navigate the unknown. This daily newsletter will provide the latest COVID-19 news for the AEC community.
Design-builders deliver in times of crisis and we will again.
If you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry from your organization, state or community please email us.
May 22nd
National
A Stimulus Proposal Emerges From The Ashes With GOP Support: Infrastructure Spending-Forbes. Several prominent Republican lawmakers are expressing support for including infrastructure spending in the next coronavirus relief bill, which is a proposal that could become a uniting factor for both parties currently at an impasse over a fourth major stimulus package.
SBA Under Spotlight as Frustrations With Small-Business Aid Programs Grow-Wall Street Journal. Since its launch, the government’s rescue effort for small businesses has been peppered with complaints over terms of the loan programs and the piecemeal way the programs have been implemented. In Congress, lawmakers have another issue, which is that they can’t get answers from the Small Business Administration.
CDC chief issues stark warning on possible second wave, more lockdowns as global cases top 5 million-USA Today. The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this morning that he can’t guarantee whether a second round of lockdowns is coming as a possible second wave of the virus looms.
States
Georgia
Hartsfield-Jackson airport delays some projects and speeds others up-Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport will delay a couple of major projects but speed up others as travel remains depressed due to the coronavirus pandemic. An already long-delayed project to build a Hilton hotel next to the domestic terminal will be on hold longer.
Missouri
Missouri Gov. Mike Parson unveils aggressive plan to ramp up COVID-19 testing to 7,500 per day-KMBC News. Gov. Mike Parson said earlier this week he set a goal of reaching 7,500 tests a day throughout the state. To reach that goal, he released details of a testing plan that focuses on three main strategies – box-in outbreaks, sentinel testing and community sampling.
Pennsylvania
Construction process complicated by circumstances brought on by pandemic-CBS 21 News. Face masks, hand washing stations, cleaning supplies: you’ll see it all on construction sites. Local companies explained why they’re treading lightly in the next couple months after the slew of unexpected costs brought on by COVID-19.
Tennessee
Chattanooga Airport moves ahead with millions of dollars in projects despite COVID-19 crisis-Times Free Press. Despite a steep drop in passenger traffic due to COVID-19, Chattanooga Airport has moved ahead with key projects as officials see an eventual end to the dreary state of air travel due to the virus.
Industry
Digital twins to play a bigger role in post-pandemic construction-Construction Dive. The total U.S. digital twin industry is estimated to soar from $3.8 billion to almost $36 billion by 2025. In the age of COVID-19, digital twin technology will make it possible for building owners to design and build for maximum social distancing under various human traffic scenarios and strategically incorporate and test other building elements.
Supplier relationships go virtual, data-driven as pandemic pauses travel-Supply Chain Dive. Supplier relationship management is becoming a more data-driven process as the pandemic stifles travel. Procurement managers will have to find new ways to manage existing supplier relationships and new ones. Examples include audits-at-home and meeting suppliers through Zoom or online trade shows.
Contact our editors if you have COVID-19 news impacting the AEC industry to share.