KOHLER, Wis. (December 17, 2013) – A hard-hit area on the New Jersey coast received a big gift today from Kohler Generators. In a goodwill gesture, Kohler Generators donated a commercial-grade, standby generator to the Borough of Seaside Park, N.J.

The backup generator will provide emergency power to the administration and executive building, which serves as a command center and shelter during crisis situations.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (December 16, 2013) - Seventeen construction professionals recently earned the Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) certification from the American Institute of Constructor’s Constructor Certification Commission (AIC & CCC). To become certified, an individual must meet certain qualifying experience and/or educational requirements and pass a comprehensive examination. The examination was held Nov. 2 at more than 70 locations across the U.S.

(Dec. 13, 2013) - Overall, construction materials prices fell 0.5 percent in November and are up only 1.1 percent year over year, according to the Department of Labor’s Dec. 13 Producer Price Index. Nonresidential construction materials are down 0.6 percent for the month and are 0.7 percent lower than the same time last year.

Washington, D.C. (Dec. 17, 2013) -The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced its third annual “Best of Green Schools” list, which recognizes top educational institutions, individuals and initiatives across the country for environmental efforts.

As part of efforts to focus on its core business, the Volvo Group has agreed to sell Volvo Rents to the US private equity firm Platinum Equity for $1.1 billion. Volvo Construction Equipment will continue to sell products to Volvo Rents under the new ownership.

The Volvo Group has announced that it is to sell its Volvo Rents business in North America to private equity company Platinum Equity for $1.1 billion (approx. SEK 7.2 billion).

WASHINGTON (December 16, 2013) – A pronounced shift in housing and neighborhood preferences has occurred during the last decade, with strong and growing demand for infill development, mixed-use projects, access to public transportation and high-density development. There is also an emerging desire for communities that promote a healthy lifestyle through more pedestrian-friendly design and increased access to recreational activities.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., (December 13, 2013) – ENR magazine named The Bill Holmes Tower at CHOC Children’s Hospital a 2013 Best Health Care Project. Design and construction team members from CHOC Children’s, McCarthy Building Companies, Jacobs and FKP Architects accepted the award Dec. 5 at the Long Beach Marriott during ENR’s annual award ceremony.

GREENVILLE, S.C. (Dec. 12, 2013) – Michelin held an event to mark the opening of its newest manufacturing facility in South Carolina. Michelin executives and employees were joined by dozens of dignitaries from across the state to celebrate the milestone just 17 months after breaking ground on the Anderson County facility, which will produce large tires for earthmoving equipment.

WASHINGTON (December 12, 2013) – Investment in equipment and software is expected to grow 3.1 percent in 2014 as economic conditions solidify and business confidence continues to recover, according to the Annual 2014 Equipment Leasing & Finance U.S. Economic Outlook released today by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation. Equipment investment is expected to grow across most verticals, as underlying economic fundamentals continue to improve.

RALEIGH, N.C. (December 4, 2013) – FMI, a provider of management consulting and investment banking* to the engineering and construction industry, announced the release of the 2013 Fourth Quarter Nonresidential Construction Index report. The NRCI shows a 2.9 point drop in the fourth quarter to 57.4. However, the score is still ahead of fourth quarter 2012 by 1.9 points.