Refined Practices
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Since 1932, SSM has prided itself on being at the forefront of surveying expertise.
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A Different Way of Looking at Things
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This 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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New Year, Same 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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Preparing your Municipality for the Future
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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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Funding Opportunities
/Driving PA Forward
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.
Energy Efficiency Projects
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/.
Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants
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/.
Natural Gas Distribution Lines
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/.
Final Opportunity Zone Regulations Released
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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 is Coming
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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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The Buildings Around Us
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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 MoreThe Data Around Us
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Online 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?
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Buildings and Data Around Us
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We’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 MoreMake your Data Work for You
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Your data should be understandable. It should be reliable. And, it should be accessible.
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Great Data is Meaningless if you Can’t Access It
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Despite their map, despite their data, it took that water authority 8 hours to locate and turn off the water valve.
Read MoreMake your Data Accessiblle
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What if the team could actively interact with the map, seeing exactly what they’re looking for- exactly when they need it- and with exactly perfect accuracy?
With GIS technology, they can.
Read MoreThe Everyday GIS User in You
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You are probably using GIS technology in your everyday life, if not many times a day.
Read MoreSCIENCE | TECHNOLOGY | ENGINEERING | MATHEMATICS
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We are so grateful for all of the people and experiences that at one point inspired our employees to pursue their interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. And we are grateful for all of the people and experiences that will inspire our future employees for years to come. To celebrate #STEMSTEAMDay today, we’ve shared a few stories of how some of our people made their way to us.
The Power of the Checklist
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Utilizing checklists from other experts allows you to focus on what you know best and feel relief from battling the unknown. What’s your expertise? You should be spending most of your time doing just that.
Read MoreChecklist: Mold Prevention - Winter Preparations
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Mold is a growing problem in buildings – no matter the season. Now is the time to plan ahead to avoid problems like mold and legionella.
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