GOVERNOR SIGNS PROMPT CONSTRUCTION PAYMENT BILL
Legislation, sponsored by State Senator Stephen Sweeney, Assemblymen Joe Egan and Tom Giblin, creating a standardized process for prompt payment of construction contracts to prime contractors has been signed into law by Governor Jon Corzine.  The new law applies to contractors on construction projects at all levels of government as well as the private sector.

The law provides that the contractor receive payment within 30 days of the billing date, provided that the contractor meets the terms of the agreed-upon construction contract and the bidding meets the approval of the owner.

If owners fail to make payment within the 30-day time frame, the law holds them liable for the remaining balance, plus interest at a rate equal to the prime rate plus one percent.

In addition to organized labor, key players in promoting the legislation were the Building Contractors Association of NJ, Associated General Contractors of NJ, the Utility & Transportation Contractors Association and the New Jersey Asphalt Pavement Association.

MARY PETERS NOMINATED TO BE SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
President Bush is nominating Mary E. Peters to be the next Secretary of Transportation.  Peters, a former Arizona Department of Transportation leader served as Administrator of the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.   

GOVERNOR TO INTRODUCE ECONOMIC GROWTH PLAN
Governor Jon Corzine's strategic plan to grow New Jersey's economy will be unveiled at a meeting on Thursday, September 7th , at 11 a.m. at the Newark Campus Center of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Alliance for Action President Phil Beachem has been invited to attend.

Called "Economic Growth Strategy for the State of New Jersey," the Governor's speech is expected to outline steps the state will take for "innovation, job growth and economic prosperity."

STATE BEGINS ROUTE 29 SAFETY PROJECT
To address the highway's frequent accident rate, the State Department of Transportation has begun work to improve safety on Route 29 in Trenton/Mercer County.  The $2.6 million project will add a median center barrier in an eight-tenths of a mile section around the Route 29 intersection with Calhoun Street.  State Transportation Commissioner Kris Kolluri reported that Route 29 has had 237 crashes over the past three years.

The project is the first of several to transform the road.  These include a 2.3 mile-long project next year to add guardrails and improve the road surface from Sullivan Way in Trenton to Upper Ferry Road in Ewing, reconfiguration of the Route 29 and I-95 intersection at Scudder Falls Bridge, and a proposed transformation of the highway to a boulevard near downtown Trenton.

GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ON HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SET
The 2006 Governor's Conference on Housing and Community Development will be held on September 26-27 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.  Governor Jon Corzine will give the keynote address and the Governor's Excellence in Housing Awards will be presented on Tuesday, September 26th.  For information visit www.nj-hmfa.com or call Mary Miller at (609) 278-7403.   

PIPE MANUFACTURING PLANT TO BE CONSTRUCTED IN
SOUTH JERSEY
Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) of Hilliard, Ohio has broken ground for a manufacturing plant in Logan (Gloucester County) to produce high density polyethylene pipe.  The plant, which initially will employ 85, will be constructed for $12 million to provide 68,000 square-feet of space on 32 acres.  ADS sells plastic pipes used for drainage in all types of construction projects.

Greg Bohn, Director of National Engineering, for ADS said the company has 35 facilities around the country.  He stressed that South Jersey was chosen for the new plant because it is located in a major metropolitan area.  The company received a grant from New Jersey's Business Economic Incentive Program (BEIP) and expects employment at the Logan Plant to grow to 100 jobs.

MERCER AIRPORT MAY OFFER ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS
Mercer County and Comair, a Delta Airlines subsidiary, have entered into an agreement to fly out of Trenton-Mercer Airport.  The plan must be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration.  The county hopes flights will be running before Thanksgiving.  The airport is currently served by Boston-Maine Airways, a PanAm subsidiary.  Comair is proposing three flights daily to Logan International Airport in Boston and one roundtrip flight to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

SCHOOR DE PALMA ACQUIRES ADVANTAGE ENGINEERING
Schoor DePalma has acquired Advantage Engineering, a 55-person firm headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA.  Advantage specializes in geotechnical environmental engineering and construction inspection.  Ed Balsavage, founder and CEO of Advantage, will continue to lead Advantage, while working with Schoor DePalma and its other partner firms.  

NJIT GOLF CLASSIC COMING UP
The 8 th annual Golf Classic of New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) will be held on September 14 th at Cedar Hill Golf & Country Club in Livingston.  The tournament benefits NJIT's athletic program.  For a copy of the flyer click http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/njit/genrel/auto_pdf/NJITGolf.pdf

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Alexander Kummant has been appointed as President and CEO of Amtrak, effective September 12th .  He previously was Regional Vice President of Union Pacific Railroad.

ALLIANCE IN ACTION
SOMERSET COUNTY ALLIANCE MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 22nd
The Somerset County Alliance for Action  will be meeting on Friday, September 22nd, at Fiddler's Elbow Country Club, Bedminster.  The program will feature presentations on Somerville, school construction and Somerset County issues.  The program will begin at 9 a.m., following registration at 8:15 a.m.

Speakers will include Somerville Mayor Brian G. Gallagher and Michael V. Kerwin, President of SSP Architectural Group.  Co-Chairs of the Somerset Alliance are Somerset Freeholder Robert Zaborowski, Roger Ellis, Business Agent, Local 472, Heavy & Construction Laborers Union and Kerwin. To register, Go Here.

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