NGA selects Tennessee for multi-state biofuels partnership

The National Governors Association has selected Tennessee for a multi-state public-private partnership effort to establish more retail ethanol pumps across the state. Tennessee is one of 10 states that will work with GM to enhance access to high ethanol content fuels, such as E-85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline).

The announcement comes on the heels of a recent groundbreaking ceremony in Vonore, Tenn., for the nation's first cellulosic ethanol biorefinery and just one week after the completion of the multi-state project to place biofuels stations along all 885 mi of Interstate 65 in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Indiana.

"Tennessee is clearly positioned as a leader in biofuels technology and this new partnership will help further our goals of increasing the availability of biofuels for Tennessee motorists," said Governor Phil Bredesen. "More E85 capable vehicles are currently available and the nation's first cellulosic ethanol plant is already under construction, so it is vital that we act now to get the needed retail infrastructure in place to make biofuels a real option for Tennesseans.

"Improving the use of clean, domestically grown biofuels like ethanol will help move us toward a cleaner, more secure energy future," said NGA Center for Best Practices Director John Thomasian.

Other states selected to participate in the partnership include Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. The states will establish an E-85 task force comprised of state officials, retailers and automobile manufacturers to help identify target areas for E-85 refueling stations.

Merrick & Co. opens Oak Ridge office

Merrick & Co., a $75 million engineering, architecture, surveying and geospatial solutions firm, has opened a new office on Commerce Park Drive in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

The firm has been involved in ongoing projects at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Y-12 Nuclear Security Complex for the past eight years and has continued to build its base of clients in the south and southeast regions of the U.S.

Through the expansion at this location, the firm will be providing engineering and project management services for commercial nuclear projects as well as managing its current contracts and pursuing additional new business opportunities in the Oak Ridge and southeast U.S. markets.

The firm focuses on non-reactor nuclear design, research laboratories, renewable energy, precision mapping and military facilities, and it will continue to expand upon commercial nuclear and other opportunities throughout the world.

Hispanic Contractors Association of Tennessee hosts networking event

The Hispanic Contractors Association of Tennessee (HCAT) held a networking event at the office of Skanska USA Building on Oct. 9. The event attracted more than 35 guests from various businesses within the local community.

Companies in attendance included contractors Skanska USA Building, American Constructors and J.E. Crain, as well as representatives from the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, Home Depot, Nashville Public Television, Latino News LLC and Conexion Americas.

The purpose of the event was to create a networking environment for local Hispanic subcontractors, prime and general contractors, and local businesses within the community to learn about the HCAT organization.

It is HCAT’s intent to work in conjunction with program partners, government entities, private and public organizations, non-profit organizations, grantors, sponsors and the community at large to provide all the resources necessary to nurture and enhance both the personal and professional lives of individuals, companies and other stakeholders within the construction industry.

During the event, Hispanic subcontractors had the opportunity to network with contractors and owners like MNAA to learn more about how they can get involved with opportunities associated with upcoming construction projects in the Nashville area.

The Hispanic Contractors Association of Tennessee,Inc. is a 501(C) 6 non-profit organization that has been established to provide resource and technology access, plus construction and business related educational programs to better prepare the Hispanic construction community in the State of Tennessee for a better future.

Adrian Cota, president of HCAT states, "HCAT is here to promote education, empowerment and serve as a bridge/resource for the construction industry in Tennessee.

“Our goal is to provide a well trained and educated contractor that will contribute positively to the economic cycle of our society and safely deliver a quality product."

Tennessee wins 2008 Southeast Regional Equipment ‘Roadeo’

The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s field maintenance personnel took home top prize in the 2008 Southeast Regional Equipment Operators "Roadeo" on Oct. 2.

Tennessee's maintenance personnel from across the state beat competitors from Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Virginia, and North Carolina in six skill and safety events that showcase their ability to maneuver heavy equipment through a series of obstacles and precision challenges. Competitive events included backhoe, motor grader, tractor mower, equipment hauler and single and tandem axle dump trucks.

"Everyone at TDOT is extremely proud of our team and it reflects the pride and skill our employees have for their jobs,” says TDOT Chief Engineer Paul Degges. "Our maintenance forces are the backbone of the department and they work hard making our roadways better and safer every day."

The 2008 Southeast Regional Equipment Operators "Roadeo" was held in Pigeon Forge. This was the first time Tennessee has hosted the event. TDOT held off defending 2007 winner Mississippi and four time champion Arkansas to bring home Tennessee's first maintenance "roadeo" trophy. This is the third time Tennessee has competed in the event.

"TDOT maintenance personnel operate heavy equipment very close to utility lines and even private property and it's imperative that our operators can handle the equipment safely and with precision," said TDOT Maintenance Director Greg Duncan. "The statewide and southeast 'roadeos' are a good test for our maintenance personnel."

Individual event winners include: Wayne Davis (Tennessee) - backhoe; Johnny Allred (Tennessee) - single axle dump truck; Billy Smartt (Tennessee) - equipment hauler; Richard Stroble (South Carolina) - tractor mower; Scott Horton (Mississippi) - tandem axle dump truck; and Jerry Ellett (Mississippi) - motor grader.

The TDOT team consisted of Wayne Davis - backhoe (Knox County); Randy Perry - backhoe (Crockett County); Claude Martin - motor grader (Cumberland County); Mark Lovelace - motor grader (Madison County); Gary Rohraff - tractor mower (Cumberland County); Tim Bailey - tractor mower (Knox County); Johnny Allred - single axle dump truck (Knox County); Ernest England - single axle dump truck (Cumberland County); Ricky Harris - tandem axle dump truck (Williamson County); Ricky Byrd - tandem axle dump truck (Sequatchie County); Floyd Fortune - equipment hauler (Madison County); Billy Smart - equipment hauler (Coffee County).