Business
CASE Construction Equipment dealer expands along Gulf Coast
Lee Tractor will sell and service the full lineup of CASE heavy, compact and subcompact equipment and attachments.
New Jersey American Water agrees to purchase Salem, N.J., water and sewer system
(UI) — New Jersey American Water signed an agreement on Nov. 30 to acquire the water and sewer system of Salem, N.J., for $18 million. This municipally owned system serves more than 2,300 customers.
Plastics Pipe Institute selects 20-year curriculum veteran to lead education committee
The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. appointed Jason McKinnon, Director of Engineering Services, Viega, LLC (Broomfield, CO), as the chair of its education committee.
Fort Point Capital invests in sewer rehabilitation company Visu-Sewer
Headquartered in Pewaukee, WI, Visu-Sewer has served municipalities and commercial customers for 50 years with a comprehensive range of rehabilitation and maintenance services.
Aegion, Trenchless Technology Center to hold CIPP seminar in Washington
Titled “Environmental Updates Around CIPP,” the seminar will subjects such as UV vs. Standard CIPP, a presentation on styrene, and a roundtable discussion, where attendees are encouraged to bring a CIPP-related topic to discuss.
Kinetic to lay over 440 miles of fiber optic cables in Colquitt County
Kinetic will use about $21.4 million in state grant money from the federal government. The company will invest $11.1 million and cover any cost overruns.
MDU Resources to expand electric, natural gas utilities, pipeline businesses with $2.8 billion investment
MDU Resources intends to become a pure-play regulated energy delivery business consisting of electric and natural gas utilities and a natural gas pipeline business.
NV5 Global to support New Jersey utility projects with $17 million contracts
NV5 will deliver engineering services for a variety of critical areas, including metering and regulation (M&R) station upgrades, gas transmission main replacements involving trenchless technologies, gas facility structural support solutions, and feasibility route studies.
United Rentals recognized for achievements in veteran career development
United Rentals, Inc. is the recipient of the following three awards: 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award, 2024 Military Friendly Employer, Gold and 2023 Military Times Best for Vets.
Northeast fiber contractor Waveguide rebrands as Centerline
(UI) — Waveguide Solutions LLC, a turnkey fiber optic communications company based in Nashua, New Hampshire, announced that it will begin doing business as Centerline.
PPI releases technical document comparing polyethylene pipe grades: PE 100-RC vs. PE4710
(UI) — The Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI) has announced the publication of a new document that provides the technical basis for comparing PE 100-RC to PE4710 pressure pipe.
PUC approves Pennsylvania American Water's $230 million acquisition of Butler Area Sewer Authority
(UI) — Pennsylvania American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, received approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) to purchase the Butler Area Sewer Authority wastewater system for $230 million.
GF Central Plastics breaks ground on a new manufacturing plant in Shawnee, Okla.
(UI) — Georg Fischer Central Plastics has broken ground on a new 150,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Shawnee, Okla. The $30 million investment will accommodate the company’s growing business needs, potentially creating up to 300 full-time jobs upon opening.
American Rental Association: US equipment rental industry growth will soften but still grow
Earlier in the year, the forecast predicted a recession that did not materialize. While the first two quarters of the year proved slow, third quarter revenues are very strong, and the quarter four projections appear that way as well.
Pennsylvania American Water purchases Butler Area Sewer Authority for $230 million
Upon taking ownership, Pennsylvania American Water will make necessary collection system upgrades to improve the wastewater system, which are expected to total more than $75 million.
Salem and Manville voters approve selling water, sewer systems to New Jersey American Water
(UI) — Voters in Salem City and the Borough of Manville have decisively approved ballot referendums to transfer water and sewer operations ownership to New Jersey American Water.
Business News
Vacuworx celebrates 25th anniversary; Grundfos celebrates the 50th anniversary of its U.S. operations; 120Water selected to manage the data and submittal of Georgia’s lead service line (LSL) inventories; and more!
Russ Ford named 2024 MVP of underground infrastructure industry
(UI) — Russ Ford, a noted infrastructure expert, has been selected as the Most Valuable Professional of the underground infrastructure industry for 2024. Ford, a senior associate at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc., will be honored at a special luncheon on March 19 at the annual Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).
Fiber Broadband Association, NTCA release complete Broadband Infrastructure Playbook 3.0
Playbook 3.0 combines four deep-dive modules that aim to help state broadband offices as they make decisions on key aspects of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and complete their initial proposals for NTIA review before a December 27 deadline.
Underground Infrastructure Awards ’24 finalists announced
The annual Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIA), the most comprehensive and prestigious program to recognize outstanding performance and technology for the entire underground infrastructure industry, has announced the finalists for the 2024 awards.
CASE Construction Equipment welcomes new addition to North American dealer network
CASE Power & Equipment of Pennsylvania will initially service the Pittsburgh, Pa., area through two strategically planned locations in Cranberry Township and Delmont, with plans to expand to Central Pennsylvania.
Wyo-Ben acquires M-I Swaco's bentonite operations
(UI) — Wyo-Ben Inc. recently announced its acquisition of the bentonite operation of M-I Swaco, a division of Schlumberger and renowned global leader in drilling fluid systems and services. This strategic move further solidifies Wyo-Ben's position as a leader in the industry and opens up new avenues for growth and innovation.
InfoWest acquires assets of SunRiver Fiber Network
(UI) — InfoWest Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Boston Omaha Corp., has completed the acquisition of all of SunRiver Fiber Network's assets from Cable Systems of Nevada.
Indiana American Water to gain 8,000 water customers with Silver Creek Water acquisition
As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years.
Utility clerk appointed to West Virginia Legislature as GOP House member
Erica J. Moore, a city administrative clerk from central West Virginia, has been appointed to the state Legislature. Moore said she’s looking forward to serving in the Legislature and contributing to policy with her knowledge of water and sewer issues from her work with the city.
Baton Rouge company set to acquire Entergy gas distribution business
Utility giant Entergy’s plans to sell its gas distribution business are moving forward under a $484 million cash deal with Bernhard Capital Partners, a Baton Rouge-based private equity management firm.
Elevate your expertise and expand your network – register for the Underground Infrastructure Conference today
Get ready for the most exciting event of the year for underground utility professionals. The 2024 Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC) is where the industry will come together to address the pressing needs and priorities of our aging infrastructure. Join us for this groundbreaking, two-and-a-half day conference from March 19–21 in Oklahoma City, Okla., and take your knowledge and career to new heights!
Asset management: Working with Duke’s ‘like having a crystal ball’
(UI) — When optimizing sewer and wastewater treatment systems, it can be overwhelming to look at more than 100 miles of sewer pipe funneling heavy flow during a rain event and wonder where that excess flow is coming from.
Prysmian secures $955 million deal for one of the largest transmission infrastructure projects in U.S.
Under the terms of the agreement, Prysmian Group will be responsible for the design, manufacture, construction, installation, and commissioning of Clean Path New York’s HVDC (high-voltage direct current) 400 KV single core cable system with XLPE insulation.
Shenandoah Telecommunications Company to acquire Horizon Telecom for $385 million
Horizon’s unique 7,200 route-mile fiber network is the largest and most dense network across its footprint with over 9,000 on-net locations.

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