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Research & Development (R&D) Tax Credits, Section 174
A recent change in policy is causing enormous economic hardship for engineering firms in Michigan and across the country. Longstanding tax policy that incentivizes critical research and development, important to the nation’s competitiveness, has been upended and we need Congress to act now to solve this problem. ACEC is working hard to implement a solution with the introduction of the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act (H.R. 2673) (151 co-sponsors, 8 from MI) and the American Innovation & Jobs Act (S. 866) (37 co-sponsors) that will repeal the amortization requirement.
Starting on January 1, 2022, engineering firms and other innovators can no longer deduct R&D expenses in the year they are incurred and now must amortize those expenses over five years in most cases. This is imposing substantially higher tax bills and creating severe cash flow problems. The impact is particularly heavy for small and midsize firms.
The change in policy has had an immediate impact on hiring, growth, and capital purchases. Many employee-owners of engineering firms have been forced to take out loans or dip into savings to pay the firm’s 2022 tax bill.
The National ACEC Board of Directors is taking this one step further and is about to vote on funding a major ad campaign to educate lawmakers and the general public on the need to repeal the federal R&D tax credit amortization requirement. Congress needs to act now to solve this problem that is hurting businesses and creating a strong disincentive for investment in innovation.
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2024 MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop | |
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Planning is underway for the 2024 MDOT-ACEC Partnering Workshop! The annual event brings together transportation professionals from across the state to get the latest information, technology, and processes being used to design and build our transportation system.
If you would like to be a presenter at this year's event, please use this link to submit your proposal. We encourage you to team up with MDOT staff to present, as we want to continue to strengthen our partnership. Submittals are due by September 29.
Save the date of February 16, 2024 for the Workshop at the Lansing Center. A leadership networking reception will also be held the evening of February 15.
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Statewide PAC Euchre Tournament | |
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Please join us at one of the many available locations across the state on October 12th. The Statewide Euchre Tournaments represent an opportunity for a broad base of members to gather for a fun-filled night of Euchre competition while providing vital support to both the state and national Political Action Committees (PACs). For more information and to register please see the Event Page.
Registration closes on September 29th so please act fast!
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ACEC/Michigan Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards | |
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Save the date and plan to join us for the ACEC/Michigan 2024 Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala at One Campus Martius in Detroit.
The Awards Gala is a celebration of our industry and its accomplishments. We will recognize outstanding projects, honor industry leaders, and visit with colleagues and peers. ACEC members and their guests will see firsthand the impact that engineering and surveying has on our everyday lives.
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ACEC/Michigan 2024 Firm of the Year Award | |
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ACEC/Michigan's "Member Firm of the Year" award program is now open for entry! This prestigious and coveted award recognizes ACEC/Michigan member firms for their demonstrated leadership in promoting engineering through their activities with ACEC and in their communities. Winning this competition will greatly enhance your firm's image and your marketing efforts to both current and potential clients.
Firms are judged on three important factors:
· Contributions to the Success of ACEC/Michigan
· Advancement of the Consulting Design Profession
· Community Involvement
A small firm (1-30 employees) and a large firm (>30 employees) are eligible to receive this award. The winning firm(s) will be announced at the ACEC/Michigan Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards Gala on March 9, 2024, in Detroit.
Applications are due by November 22, 2023. Visit the ACEC/M website for submission details.
2023 winners:
WSP (large firm) and Cincar Consulting (small firm)
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Construction Science Expo Coming to Lansing | |
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ACEC/Michigan and ASCE Michigan Section are partnering with construction associations and labor organizations for the first ever Lansing Construction Science Expo at Impression 5 Science Center on October 3, 2023.
The Lansing Construction Science Expo will introduce 350 students from the Lansing School District to careers in engineering, surveying, architecture, and the trades.
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ACEC/Michigan Scholarships | |
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ACEC/Michigan is planning to award $20,000 to approximately 5 engineering and surveying students enrolled in an ABET accredited College or University. Applicants will be judged on a written essay, their work experience, employer/faculty recommendations, community involvement and their GPA. Pass this opportunity along to any eligible interns your firm has hired!
The official scholarship application will be released soon. Watch the ACEC/Michigan website for details.
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Water/Wastewater Roundtable
ACEC/Michigan will host its second Water/Wastewater Roundtable on October 10, 2023, in Grand Rapids. This event will pull together professionals from across our membership to network and discuss important topics to the water and wastewater sectors. After a brief update of ACEC/Michigan activities and issues, we will hold a roundtable discussion on items affecting engineering firms. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, climate change impacts, stormwater utilities, PFAS, asset management, resiliency, aging infrastructure, and lead service line replacements. Have an issue or topic you want to discuss? Come join us and let’s talk about it!
Visit the ACEC/Michigan website for additional details and registration.
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Emerging Leaders Roundtable and
Networking Event
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ACEC/Michigan will host an Emerging Leaders Roundtable and Networking Event on October 26, 2023. This event is open to all Emerging Leaders Program graduates. This event will pull together graduates of the Emerging Leaders Program to network and discuss important topics to them. After a brief update of ACEC/Michigan activities and issues, we will hold a roundtable discussion on items affecting emerging professionals and their firms. Registrants will have an opportunity to suggest topics for discussion. Have an issue or topic you want to discuss? Come join us and let’s talk about it!
Registration (ELP Graduates only) is on the ACEC/Michigan website.
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MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award | |
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The MDOT-ACEC Partnership Charter Award recognizes project managers and consultants for their commitment to excellence and promoting an enhanced business partnership based on the ideals set forth in the MDOT/ACEC Partnership Charter Agreement. These ideals include mutual trust, effective communication, continuous improvement, embracing innovation, and timely issues resolution.
Projects accomplished by team effort between MDOT project managers and ACEC consultants are eligible to receive this award.
Watch the ACEC/Michigan website for this year's entry information (coming soon!).
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Strategic Planning Underway
The Michigan Society of Professional Engineers recently began the process of creating a new strategic plan. The committee is formed and MSPE has contracted the services of Sharon Rice from .orgSource to serve as facilitator. The new strategic plan will ensure that MSPE is providing valuable programs and services to Michigan’s licensed PEs.
2024 Conference Planning Starting
The conference committee for the 2024 MSPE Annual Conference is currently getting organized. No dates are set yet for the conference, stay tuned.
ED Attends NSPECon
MSPE’s Executive Director, Ryan Roth, attended the National Society of Professional Engineers Conference in Louisville, Ky. August 2-3. Many of the challenges that are being faced by engineers in Michigan are being experienced across the nation. NSPE is currently working on a series of pilot programs to address concerns raised in a national survey of professional engineers. If these are successful they will become larger, more permanent programs.
AESLC Legislative Meet & Greets Scheduled
AESLC’s lobbyist, Kelley-Cawthorne has scheduled a series of legislative meet and greets across Michigan. These are a fantastic opportunity for design professionals to meet their local legislators and discuss issues that are important to the design community.
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ACEC/Michigan will host the popular PSMJ Principals Bootcamp January 18-19, 2024. This two-day networking event imparts skills and methods the most successful A/E/C leaders use to excel in every aspect of firm management. You will learn how to:
- Move from tactical to strategic thinking - big picture traits of the most successful A/E/C principals
- Backlog boosting marketing and BD tactics of the best principals - post-COVID strategies for landing new projects
- Designing a structure for your success - rethink your firm's org chart
- Financial management secrets for crushing your profit goals
- Maximizing team value and productivity - hang onto top performers, develop their full potential, recruit more like them
- Ownership & leadership transition - preparing for, managing through, inevitable change
- And so much more!
Class runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on January 18 and from 8:00 a.m. to (approximately) 3:30 p.m. on January 19.
Discounted registration fees are available for ACEC/Michigan members and for multiple attendees.
- $1,600/person for ACEC/Michigan members
- $1,700/person for non-members
- 3 registrants from one firm - first 2 are regular price, 3rd at half price
- 4 registrants from one firm - first 3 at full price and 4th free
- 5 or more registrants from one firm - first 3 at full price, 4th person free, all others are 25% off
To register, visit the ACEC/Michigan website.
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Member News:
Great Lakes Engineering Group Graduates from the USDBE Program
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Great Lakes Engineering Group, LLC (GLEG) announces that the firm has successfully graduated from the USDOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program. “We have been a part of the DBE program since the company was formed back in the year 2000, and it has always been our goal to one day graduate from the program” says Amy Trahey, President, and founder of GLEG. Great Lakes Engineering Group, LLC has been removed from the Michigan Unified Certification Program list of DBE’s as it no longer meets the program criteria outlined in federal regulations set forth in 49 CFR Part 26. Appreciation to our partner firms that helped us achieve this great company success. GLEG will continue to work with and support DBE firms and looks to continue its partnerships with industry ACEC/MI peers.
“Congratulations, your company has graduated from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) DBE program…the Office of Business Development staff, as well as MDOT, have greatly enjoyed working with Great Lakes Engineering Group, LLC for the time that you have been a participant in the USDOT DBE program. We wish you great success in all your future endeavors” as quoted from Lisa S. Thompson, Administrator for the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Business Development.
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2023 - 2024 Events Calendar | |
Michigan Engineering News
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