NATICK, MA – Partners from the law firm Arent Fox recently presented the first of seven Webinars that focus on information designed to help architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms interpret the impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Working fast and close to home could be the best way for A/E firms to benefit from the $787 billion stimulus package, according to Craig Engle and Dan Renberg, partners from the 1,000-person law firm.
To be eligible for stimulus package money, contracts must be in place by late summer, 180 days after President Barack Obama signed the bill into law on February 17. Engle notes that states that miss the mid-August deadline will see the money they were supposed to get go to another state instead.
"States are going to be under the gun," says Engle. "Local knowledge is key. An application for an airport or mass transit project is going to be more favorably looked at if XYZ Construction Co. steps up and says, 'We can do that.' Go back in your files to find projects that are already approved and say, 'We can do it.' You have to market yourself and say you're ready, willing, and able."
"Now is the time to get the proper application in the proper way so the projects get funded," adds Engle. “Nothing is simple here. Things are going to go wrong. There are gaps and overlaps in this bill, so it's important to be able to act quickly and react quickly. It's getting more complicated by the minute. The lobbying on Capitol Hill is over. That's irrelevant now."
Each subsequent installment in the ZweigWhite organized Webinar series will feature an interview with a different industry expert who will provide a new perspective on the outlook for the A/E industry at large or will focus on a specific market. The Webinars will give listeners valuable insight into where money will be spent and how to be part of it.
Subsequent speakers include: D. Wayne Klotz, P.E., D.WRE, current president of the American Society of Civil Engineers and president of Klotz Associates; Kurt Ubbelohde, vice president, director of federal programs, LEO A. DALY; Frank Rapoport, senior partner, McKenna, Long & Aldridge, LLP; Scott Brenner, consultant, governmental affairs and public policy, Akerman Senterfitt; and Kermit Baker, chief economist of the American Institute of Architects.
About ZweigWhite
ZweigWhite is one of the nation's leading sources of business management services for architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting firms. The ZweigWhite team consists of experts in strategic business planning, business valuation, ownership transition, human resources management, finance and administration, mergers and acquisitions, market research, marketing, project management, and project delivery methods who collectively produce a comprehensive suite of products and services, including newsletters, industry reports, executive training, business conferences, and advisory services covering virtually every aspect of firm management. The firm is headquartered in Natick, MA, with additional offices in, Chicago and Washington, D.C. For further information, contact Claire Roderick Keerl, [email protected], or visit www.zweigwhite.com.
