Have you found yourself at work in the middle of winter (or really, any season), wishing you could be surrounded by sand? To your left, to your right, wouldn’t it be nice if it was all sand? Do you wish, when you’re walking your dog that you actually had your toes in the sand? Holding your phone, typing on your laptop- do you wish it could be sand running through your fingertips?
Read MoreWater- it’s one of Earth’s great treasures. There are two main sources of drinking water- surface water (streams, rivers, and lakes) and ground water (aquifers). Protecting these sources of water not only protect the public from health risks, but it also protects from higher treatment costs from utility systems. You probably already know this value of protecting water sources. (If you don’t- check out our August 2019 Spottlight, available on our website).
Read MoreThere are plenty of reasons to invest in Earth’s treasures and environmental sustainability. At all levels, leaders are increasingly recognizing a Return on Environment- indicating their time, energies, and funds put into Earth’s treasures and environmental sustainability are well worth the investment.
Read MoreAmid ongoing COVID-19 protocols, we want to take a chance to update you on our firm’s current working status.
We are here. We are working. We are ready.
Read MoreA sinkhole is a depression formed as the underlying bedrock is dissolved by groundwater (usually limestone). Sometimes, surface water entering a crevice in the bedrock may be the cause.
Read MoreExpertise means having the skills, having the knowledge, having the experience. Expert surveyors use two benchmarks- so you don’t have to worry about unnecessary mistakes.
Read MoreSince 1932, SSM has prided itself on being at the forefront of surveying expertise.
Read MoreThis week, we celebrate National Surveyors Week. Our surveyors provide the pieces, the data, the knowledge, the information that allows us to develop the best designs, offer the most comprehensive alternatives, and deliver the most effective, efficient results.
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What do engineers really do? We asked them to tell us.
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The ultimate truth is, the future isn’t about changing what you know. It’s not about forgetting the past or letting go of who you are. It’s not about fear and it’s not about stress. It’s about forward-thinking solutions for your everyday problems. It’s about being ready- because today, all around you, the future is here.
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Cities and municipalities across the country are working carefully to address not only growing populations but affordable housing crises. Looking to the future- a potential shift away from single-family zoning may aim to address both of these challenges.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a program that makes rebates available to businesses, governments, and other entities that install electric vehicle charging stations on their properties. The Driving PA Forward Initiative opened in September 2018 and is designed to improve air quality in Pennsylvania by making the option to drive clean vehicles more accessible. Through this program, Pennsylvania’s goal is to permanently reduce NOx emissions by as much as 27,000 tons.
Details on the program and grant application forms can be found at: www.depgis.state.pa.us/DrivingPAForward.
The Sustainable Energy Fund Program provides financial assistance for energy efficiency projects through grants and loans. The Program supports commercial, industrial, municipal, agricultural, and nonprofit entities implementing energy efficiency or renewable energy projects. Eligible projects include such improvements as solar photovoltaic and wind energy systems, lighting retrofits, HVAC upgrades, and building envelope enhancements. The Program offers three financing options, each with distinct benefits. Details on the program and FAQs can be found at: https://www.thesef.org/get-financing/.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is authorized to provide financial, technical, and other assistance to state officials in cooperative efforts to organize, train, and equip local forces in rural areas or communities under 10,000 in population to prevent, control, and suppress fires which threaten Human life, Livestock, Wildlife, Crops, Pastures, Orchards, Woodlands, Farmsteads, and other improvements in rural areas. The key objectives of this program are to save lives and protect property in unprotected or inadequately protected rural areas. Therefore, the selection of the participating agencies must be based on vulnerability and the adequacy of existing fire protection. This is a cost-share program. Financial assistance on any project during any fiscal year cannot exceed 50 percent of the actual expenditures, including expenditures of local, public, and private nonprofit organizations participating in the agreement. The maximum grant for 2020 is $10,000. The 2020 grant round will open in February of 2020. Successful recipients will be notified in late July of 2020.
Pennsylvania fire company officers can apply for Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grants using DCNR’s Grant Portal: https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/.
The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)’s Pipeline Investment Program (PIPE) provides grants to construct the last few miles of natural gas distribution lines to business parks, existing manufacturing and industrial enterprises, which will result in the creation of new economic base jobs in the commonwealth while providing access to natural gas for residents. Funds may be used for acquisition, construction, and site preparation costs associated with extending natural gas pipelines to serve eligible applicants. Funds may be used for acquisition, construction, and site preparation costs associated with extending natural gas pipelines to serve eligible applicants (Economic Development Organizations, Businesses, Municipalities, Hospitals, or School Districts).
For more information visit https://dced.pa.gov/programs/pipeline-investment-program/.
It’s been two years since the federal government’s Opportunity Zone Program became law. The final round of regulations of the tax incentive program have now been released to the public.
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The 2020 Census counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories. The count is mandated by the Constitution and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency.
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Have you noticed the buildings around you today? Really, have you stopped and noticed them? Have you thought about how and why the building stood through our weather changes? Have you questioned how the lighting fixtures are perfectly spaced to provide exactly enough light at every angle of the room you’re in? What about the plumbing? Do you have any idea how the piping might run through the building to maintain the perfect amount of water pressure at all times? Or how strategically the sprinklers are set up- making sure no tiny space is missed in the event of an emergency. Have you noticed it?
Read MoreOnline shopping. How does the information you type travel to the computer of the stores your shop? And then how does the confirmation travel back to your email inbox? And the shipping label- how does it generate through wires to print at a store somewhere and tell them what to pack in your box?
Read MoreWe’re proud of our resume, we work with 2 Fortune 100 technology companies, supporting their sites and facilities that bring research and great ideas to life.
Read MoreYour data should be understandable. It should be reliable. And, it should be accessible.
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