Volume 17, Issue 11 - Wednesday, March 19, 2025

As America absorbs historic change, business leaders should move quickly to engage with government officials

Although I’ve been involved in government for most of my adult life, I’ve never experienced a more disruptive environment than the one we are dealing with now. America, as we know it, will eventually get back to some degree of normalcy, but until that happens, the government marketplace is a scary environment for business leaders. It is perhaps even more uncertain and stressful for elected officials and government employees.

It could be difficult for thought leaders, planning professionals and financial executives to function with confidence in either sector because of uncertainty. But that must not be the case. The focus should be on strategy — new strategies for the world’s largest marketplace — the U.S. government market. There is a clear path when it comes to strategy, and it is important for business leaders to see it and embrace new thinking.

Most importantly, private sector leaders cannot abandon their efforts in the government marketplace. Businesses that contract with the government should be aggressively responding and thinking strategically about how they can contribute. Companies that stay the course and continue to interact with and befriend public employees performing under difficult circumstances and turmoil will be positioned favorably when change slows down and the pace of business picks up again… as it obviously will.

These disruptive times can be made better if private sector innovation, expertise and resources are all available to public officials. Commitment to good government, partnerships and collaborative initiatives will be remembered long after the chaos ends. Company executives who want their firms recognized as “trusted advisors” should realize that government officials need them now.

Strategy development for businesses should begin with consideration of a company’s offerings. Can or should the services and offerings be tweaked to meet current needs? An analysis to determine how a company’s capabilities might be consolidated, re-engineered or reduced in cost, at least in the short term, is advised.

Click here for more.

UW-Platteville announces $124 million overhaul of engineering building

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville (UW-Platteville) will spend $123.7 million to renovate and expand its engineering building. The project will convert the 60-year-old Ottensman Hall into a flexible learning and collaborative facility. Construction is expected to begin in May 2028.

The project will start by developing a replacement data center and upgrading campus computer equipment. Additional work will build out a forensic investigation laboratory and a biosafety level 2 instructional and research morgue. The high-bay civil engineering laboratories will be renovated, and all chemistry instructional and research laboratories will have their size, shape and configuration corrected.

UW-Platteville will provide adjacencies to the chemical stockroom, instrumentation laboratories and support spaces for the chemistry sections. To meet student and faculty needs, the university will update and resolve all teaching and technology inadequacies in the laboratories. This will include full replacement of the fume hood and exhaust system and building general access classrooms.

Plans include replacing all building infrastructure systems, including mechanical, electrical, telecommunications, fire protection and plumbing. The university will retrofit a fire suppression system and repair the building domestic water service. The project will repair and replace the building's exterior envelope concrete and masonry, roof sections and install new exterior windows.

Additional work will reconfigure the exterior entrances and exits and repair or replace the retaining wall at the north entrance plaza. The university will improve the interior circulation and wayfinding solutions. Architectural finishes will be replaced and restored and issues with the stormwater and drainage systems will be addressed.

As part of the project, the university plans to demolish Gardner Hall and Royce Hall, with the potential demolition of Pioneer Tower and restoring associated sites. UW-Platteville will ensure construction adheres to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards.

(Photo courtesy of James Steakley.)

Arkansas governor makes flurry of leadership appointments to the state’s university system

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders has made an array of appointments to the Board of Trustees (BOT) of several institutions in the Arkansas State University System.

Randy Lawson has taken a seat on the University of Arkansas (U of A) BOT, with a term to expire March 1, 2027. Lawson currently serves on the Arvest Bank Benton County Board of Directors and as a commissioner on the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission. He has an extensive history serving on various boards, including for economics committees, hospitals, colleges and national security. Lawson has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from U of A. He succeeded Tommy Boyer in the role.

Judd Deere has also been appointed to the U of A BOT, replacing Sheffield Nelson. Deere’s term will expire March 1, 2035. He will continue serving as deputy chief of staff in the governor’s office. Deere brings more than 10 years of government management and communications experience to the role, previously serving in a variety of positions with the White House, the Arkansas Governor’s Office and multiple senators. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Lyon College in Batesville.

Carole Farmer has also joined the Arkansas State University System BOT. Farmer replaced Christy Clark in the role, with a term set to expire Jan. 14, 2032. She brings extensive healthcare experience to the position, previously working for 17 years with the largest multi-specialty physician medical clinic in northeast Arkansas, culminating in her role as the clinic’s administrator. She served on the Board of Directors for the Arkansas Medical Group Managers Association and owns her own medical consulting firm. She graduated from Arkansas State University with a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Iverson Jackson is the final new appointment, replacing Laura Winning on the BOT of Southern Arkansas University (SAU). Jackson has a history of active involvement with the university, serving on the SAU Foundation Board for five years. He previously served as executive director of the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. Jackson has a master’s degree in public administration from Webster University and an undergraduate degree from SAU.

Len Cotton has been reappointed to the Arkansas Tech University BOT, updating his term’s expiration to Jan. 14, 2030. Cotton was originally appointed to the board in 2020. He has drawn from his 37 years of experience working for the Arkansas Department of Health to lead the university. He has served on several commissions, including as chairman of the American Legion Arkansas Boys State Commission and as a member of the Arkansas Veterans Commission, Tri-County Regional Water Board and the Dardanelle Chamber of Commerce. Cotton has earned a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from U of A.

Kay Hinkle is another reappointment and will retain her seat with the BOT of the University of Central Arkansas (UCA). This will be her fourth consecutive term, originally appointed to the board in 2004. Hinkle previously served 11 years on the Mountain View School Board and is a member of the Committee of 100 for the Ozark Folk Center. She is an alumna of UCA.

Durham to build $43 million aquatic center on vacant roller rink land

The city of Durham, North Carolina, will spend $43 million to build an aquatic center. The project is in the design phase, with construction expected to begin in fall 2026.

The aquatic center will be located at Merrick-Moore Park, next to the park’s former roller rink. The park will feature multiple pools and aquatic recreational features.

Plans include installing a zero-depth entry pool, a lazy river and additional dedicated pool space for recreational swimming for all ages and abilities. The city will install an aquatic playground along with waterslides, a vortex seating area and a retractable obstacle course. Additional features include a pool house, toddler pool, shade structures and a water volleyball court.

The site’s design includes a deep pool area that may include slides, a rock wall, a diving board and more as the city refines the project. The park will also feature an event pavilion, event lawn, playground, sprayground and table sports, alongside restrooms, concessions and a seating terrace.

The city will develop regular and overflow parking, a drop-off area and a public transit stop. Pedestrians will benefit from an enhanced crossing, public sidewalks and improved access to a connecting street. In addition, the project will feature a maintenance building, stormwater treatment in the parking lot, a skating rink and a pool deck.

(Photo courtesy of Jaee Kim on Unsplash.)

New York county receives $26 million to connect rural communities with broadband network

Oswego County, New York, has received $26 million to build an expansive fiber-to-the-home network to bring internet accessibility to nearly 10,800 homes and businesses.

The grant is the state’s latest investment to ensure all New York residents have access to high-speed, reliable internet. The funds will enable Oswego County to build 345 miles of fiber infrastructure to reach rural areas.

The project will target underserved communities with high poverty rates that are geographically isolated from existing communities and broadband infrastructure. Expanding the state’s broadband network to reach these rural areas will provide residents with equal access to critical services such as telehealth resources, remote education, digital employment platforms and online business services.

Oswego County will manage the broadband network and lease it to internet service providers. The leases will enable the county to perform ongoing and preventive maintenance and enable potential future expansion.

(Photo courtesy of Pixabay.)

States pioneer new bills to reinforce cybersecurity infrastructure, policies for public entities

Shoring up the nation’s cybersecurity measures is growing increasingly important to safeguard security at the local, state and federal levels of government. States are introducing new legislation promoting stronger cybersecurity measures by modernizing IT infrastructure, protecting data and ensuring agencies are prepared for advancements and challenges in digital technology.

Arizona is one of the states spearheading these initiatives after introducing House Bill 2736 to develop a seven-year pilot program to protect the state’s data. The bill features several provisions requiring major state departments to implement data encryption systems and to upgrade cybersecurity infrastructure. The pilot program would begin in 2026 and conclude in 2033.

In addition, the implementation process will require the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs Cybersecurity Team to conduct security assessments for all technology products bought by state agencies. Evaluation will include using penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities and determine how robust the defenses are, testing the hardware integrity of individual components and verifying that the tech’s vendor complies with technical and cybersecurity standards.

New Jersey’s Senate Bill 3835 would create a new office to centralize the state’s cybersecurity efforts. The Office of Cybersecurity Infrastructure would be responsible for cyber operations for school districts, cities, counties and state agencies. These responsibilities would include:

• Creating and implementing cybersecurity policies for the state.
• Creating, implementing and monitoring statewide technology infrastructure for nonprofit and private organizations.
• Creating artificial intelligence (AI) policies to enable public and private institutions to safely incorporate AI into operations.

The governor would appoint a cybersecurity director to lead the office. If approved and enacted, the bill would immediately take effect.

Mississippi is making a significant push to reinforce cybersecurity infrastructure with two proposed bills. House Bill 1491 would create a Cloud Center for Excellence within the state’s IT services department to help simplify cloud adoption, improve security and optimize costs. The bill includes a five-year plan to transition state and local governments to cloud services. If approved, the bill would take effect July 1.

Senate Bill 2267 would be pivotal for advancing Mississippi’s cybersecurity capabilities by improving data sharing between state agencies without compromising existing security protocols. If passed, the bill would establish a cloud-based platform for state agencies to share information. The state would create a council composed of IT leaders from state agencies to oversee the initiative, recommend best practices and meet the needs of digital government services. The legislation would take effect July 1.

Indiana has introduced Senate Bill 0472 to protect public-sector organizations, educational institutions and government entities. Approval would require all relevant organizations to adopt standardized cybersecurity policies by Dec. 31, 2027. The state would also create a Cybersecurity Insurance Program to assist government entities in recovering from cyberattacks. If passed, the bill would take effect July 1.

(Photo courtesy of TheDigitalArtist on Pixabay.)

Sam Gaston 

City Manager 

City of Mountain Brook, Alabama 

My public career highlights and education: I hold a bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration from Auburn University. My municipal government career includes roles in Decatur, Gulf Shores and Anniston, Alabama. I served as city manager of Powder Springs, Georgia between 1992 and 1993 and have been city manager of Mountain Brook for 22 years.

I’ve served as president of the Alabama City-County Management Association and the Alabama chapter of the American Planning Association, as well as ICMA regional vice president and president. I also taught MPA courses at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Regent University.

What I like best about my public service is: I love the opportunity to serve and work with others. In this profession, we can solve problems, improve the quality of life, make a difference in the community and in individuals’ lives. Public Service is a “calling.” I try to bring passion, determination and professionalism to my role each and every day.

The best advice I've received: “You catch a lot more flies with sugar than you do with vinegar.” - My Mother

“Treat everyone as you would like to be treated.” - My Dad

“Cost and Value are not the same.” - Not sure where this came from!

One thing I wish more people knew about my division of public service: Local government has a greater impact on your quality of life than the federal or state governments.

A project or initiative we're currently working on is: I am working on several projects and plan to close most of them out or have them at a place to be finished when I retire. That includes bridge projects, two sidewalk projects, securing a grant for a third sidewalk project, replacing generators along US Highway 280, finishing and adopting updated master plans for two city parks and completing two roundabouts in our city.

People might be interested to know that: I am a “PK” (Preacher’s Kid). My parents were wonderful examples to me in service to others. I have also traveled to all 50 states.

Honolulu proposes $5 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026

As part of its proposed $5 billion Fiscal Year 2026 budget, the city of Honolulu will dedicate more than $1.2 billion to capital improvement projects. The funds will be distributed to support and/or advance ongoing improvement projects for public facilities, public safety buildings, roadway infrastructure, water and wastewater, recreation and transportation.

• $533.7 million will support refuse and sewer projects.
• $207 million will go toward improving and building bikeways, highways, streets, bridges, storm drainage and street lighting.
• $143.8 million will advance affordable housing and homeless service facilities projects.
• $86.1 million will be dedicated for parks, the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, the Honolulu Zoo and golf courses.
• $86 million will enable the city to buy buses and handi-vans, improve bus stops and ADA accessibility and upgrade the Middle Street Intermodal Transit Center.
• $82.5 million will enhance public safety initiatives, including improvements for police, fire, ocean safety, ambulance, telecommunications and traffic and flood control.
• $73.3 million will be allocated for civic center upgrades, transportation electrification, energy conservation projects and enhancements to bus and traffic facilities, public buildings and municipal parking.

The city’s largest investment – totaling $244.2 million – will fund several major capital improvement projects at two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The Honouliuli WWTP will upgrade its sewer basin facilities, secondary treatment, solids handling system, effluent treatment and outfall, headworks and associated equipment. Honolulu will improve the Sand Island WWTP’s facility infrastructure, basin odor control, sewer basin, energy efficiency, management and renewable energy production, primary treatment, secondary treatment, outfall and return flow treatment solids system.

Another $100 million will support affordable housing initiatives across the city, prioritizing mixed-use development. The city will buy and develop land in Transit-Oriented Development areas, create housing for the homeless population and build homeless service facilities. The budget includes $10.4 million to support development of low-income affordable housing options.

A major project featured in the budget is the widening of Salt Lake Boulevard. The city will dedicate $76 million to make improvements to improve traffic circulation and flow, address climate change measures and improve sustainability and resiliency.

The city will invest in its public transit service offerings, spending $74.2 million to buy buses and handi-vans that are available and accessible to residents. Buses that have met the end of their life cycle will be replaced with new vehicles.

(Photo courtesy of ArdentArbitration.)

Sacramento greenlights $677 million plan to safely connect neighborhoods

The Sacramento City Council has approved a $676.9 million plan to improve connectivity, safety and mobility across the city’s neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Connections Plan details 147 street infrastructure improvement projects. In total, they cover 237 miles of primary network routes and 194 miles of secondary routes. As they’re built and implemented, these updated routes will provide non-motorized travelers with low-stress options for walking, biking and rolling.

Projects outlined in the plan will connect residents to schools, parks, shopping centers and other critical amenities. The plan emphasizes traffic calming measures, safer crossings and enhanced wayfinding.

Examples of traffic calming measures detailed in the plan include:

• Installing speed humps, lumps and tables to slow vehicles and help cyclists navigate.
• Using traffic diverters and street closures to reduce cut-through traffic and give priority to non-motorized travelers.
• Building median and refuge islands to protect pedestrians.
• Creating mini roundabouts and traffic circles to manage traffic, slow drivers and reduce crash severity.
• Using chicanes to increase driver safety and available public space.
• Developing pinch points in conjunction with other traffic calming features.
• Building raised crosswalks and intersections to increase visibility and make it easier for people with mobility impairments to cross the street.
• Planting street trees to expand greenspace, reduce noise and enhance comfort.
• Expanding on-street parking.
• Narrowing lanes.
• Extending curbs.
• Changing geometry and curb radii to improve visibility and reduce crossing distances.
• Using hardened centerlines to encourage slower turn speeds and to guide turning vehicles.

Sacramento will implement additional pedestrian and cyclist-focused improvements to enhance overall safety and accessibility. These efforts will include shortening crosswalks at intersections or mid-blocks, improving turning movement treatments and installing regular crossings and shade.

The Neighborhood Connections Plan is a foundational element of the city’s broader Streets for People Active Transportation Plan. The Streets for People plan recently had its latest draft released for public review. Adoption of the full plan is anticipated later this summer.

(Photo courtesy of wal_172619 on Pixabay.)

Smart city investments to reach $3.7 trillion as cities prepare for autonomous vehicles

According to market forecasts, smart city infrastructure investments are growing steadily and will reach $3.7 trillion by 2030. INFRA, a leading provider of infrastructure solutions for autonomous vehicles, and Verra Mobility Corporation, a leading provider of smart mobility technology solutions, see opportunity for investment as more and more cities adopt autonomous mobility.

Verra Mobility released a new Urban Mobility Technology Study, which found 93% of U.S. cities are preparing for driverless vehicles within the next five years. The study, conducted by Wakefield Research, polled city technology leaders from 100 municipalities of various sizes. Despite the anticipation of autonomous vehicles, 81% of respondents said they expect some systems will need updating before incorporating connected vehicles technology into their mobility initiatives.

Click here to learn more about how cities are readying infrastructure to handle autonomous vehicles

(Photo courtesy of JirkaBulrush.)

Santa Cruz’s nearly $1 billion rail plan includes 28 bridge replacements

Santa Cruz County, California, is providing an update to a nearly $1 billion rail plan seeking to provide passenger rail service and multimodal transportation options to residents.

The update, unveiled during the county’s Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) meeting earlier this month, estimates it will be necessary to replace 28 bridges and repair five others to support the Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project (ZEPRT), which intends to develop intercity rail service along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line.

Click here for more information about the billion-dollar rail plan 

(Photo courtesy of Noah_Loverbear.)

Energy investments needed to fuel next-gen data infrastructure

The U.S. grid is not yet ready for the surge of data centers, a new study suggests. Electricity consumption from data centers is projected to rise from 5% to over 16% of total U.S. electricity use by 2033. A new report from Accenture reveals the massive investment needed to power America’s AI-driven digital transformation, with projections that $58-89 billion in additional capital expenditure will be required for power generation by 2030.

According to Accenture’s research, the data center industry could consume between 413 and 509 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity by 2030, up from 176 TWh in 2023. This rapid growth is primarily driven by facilities capable of accommodating advanced AI technologies, which may account for about 70% of the overall demand surge.

Click here for more details about what’s needed to meet data center energy demands 

(Photo courtesy of Akela999 on Pixabay.)

Connecticut board approves over $77 million in grants for capital improvement projects

Connecticut is considering awarding grants for dozens of capital improvement projects across the state, including $10 million to advance a mall redevelopment in the town of Enfield.

The state’s Community Investment Fund (CIF) 2030 Board is approving 35 grants in the sixth round of awards, which will deliver over $77 million in state funding to local and regional municipalities. The grants, which still require final approval by the State Bond Commission, look to transform local communities and infrastructure while expanding economic opportunities for residents and businesses.

Click here for more details about the awarded projects 

(Photo courtesy of Steve Buissinne on Pixabay.)

California – Farouk Dey has been chosen as Palo Alto University’s next president. Dey is the current inaugural vice provost for integrative learning and life design at Johns Hopkins University. He brings 26 years of higher education experience to the role, previously working at institutions including Washington State University, the University of Florida, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Michigan and Stanford University.

Florida – Stacy Miller has been selected to lead the Miami-Dade transit system as director and CEO of the Department of Transportation and Public Works. Miller currently serves as district secretary in the Florida Department of Transportation, the latest in her three decades with the department. She will replace Eulois Cleckley in the new role.

Nevada – The Clark County School District Board of Trustees has appointed Jhone Ebert as superintendent. Ebert brings more than three decades of educational, policy and administration experience to the role. She is the current superintendent of public instruction for the Nevada Department of Education.

Florida – Loren Parra has been appointed chief resilience officer of Miami-Dade County. Parra was promoted from her previous county role as chief and water resources officer. She has also personally worked for County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava as senior director of communications.

Arizona – The city of Mesa will welcome Scott Butler as its next city manager. The City Council unanimously elected to appoint Butler to the role, effective June 1, 2025. Scott has been with the city since 2004, starting as a city council assistant. Since then, he has held multiple leadership roles, including government relations director, deputy city manager and most recently as assistant city manager.

Washington, D.C. - Larry Allen has been selected as associate administrator of the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Office of Governmentwide Policy. Allen brings more than 30 years of public sector experience to the position.

California – The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) has appointed Danielle Elkins as deputy executive director of planning, programs and policy. She previously served the city of Minneapolis as senior project manager for mobility. Elkins brings more than 22 years of transportation sector experience to the position.

North Carolina – The University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Governors has appointed Kevin Howell as the 15th chancellor of North Carolina State University. Kevin Howell currently serves as chief external affairs officer at UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine. He succeeds Randy Woodson. His first day will be May 5, 2025.

Tennessee – Kristin Darby has been selected to take over as chief information officer (CIO) of the Department of Finance and Administration. Darby has spent almost three decades in the private sector working in numerous executive leadership positions.

Utah – Utah State University has a new interim president. Alan Smith was appointed to the role Feb. 12, leaving his previous position as dean of the Emma Eccles Jones College of Human Services. Smith brings more than 24 years of educational experience, including serving as professor and chairperson in the Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University and various roles at Purdue University and the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.

Washington – Adiam Emery has assumed her role as interim director of the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT). Emery brings more than three decades of transportation experience to the position, serving her entire career within Seattle. During that time, she has served as deputy mayor, division director for transportation operation, executive general manager, manager of TOC/ITS and transportation engineer.

Arkansas – Jay Harton has been finalized as the state’s new director of the Division of Information Services (DIS). Harton has been leading the division in an interim capacity since February 2024. Prior to accepting the interim role, he spent nine years as DIS’ chief operating officer. Harton succeeds Jonathan Askins.

Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers

Editors: Adam Rollins

Candace Barnette

www.spartnerships.com

Government Contracting Pipeline, a publication of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is a free, weekly newsletter detailing important happenings nationwide and the premier source for federal, state and local government news and contracting opportunities.