Disasters are big business in America. When there is a tornado, a destructive fire, an explosion or any type of significant emergency situation, all types of goods and services are needed quickly.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stockpiles large amounts of supplies in preparation for disasters. And, because this is what is considered the disaster season, FEMA has been extremely busy.  

In fact, the agency has procured so many supplies in such large amounts that shipments to retail customers have often been delayed or suspended.

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Potential developers will be sought for one of three sites in Maryland, Virginia

Three finalist sites have been named to be the new home to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters. The storied agency and its facilities will be moving from Washington, D.C., to one of three sites proposed by the General Services Administration (GSA). Two of the suburban sites are in Maryland and a third is in northern Virginia.

The GSA will now start to assess the environmental impact of building on the three sites, take comments from the public and solicit bids from potential developers.

The historic J. Edgar Hoover Building became home to the FBI in 1974. Located on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, it occupies a complete city block. But, the agency has outgrown its home of four decades. Even a Government Accountability Office report said the agency's aging building does not meet its security needs. Additionally, thousands of the agency's employees are housed at leased regional offices. Wherever the agency moves, it will be met by open arms, as that large an agency with that many employees will have a significant positive effect on the area's economy. Jobs will be created, the tax base will increase and retail and service industries will see a boost in sales.

"The FBI is one of the most respected law enforcement agencies in the world," said Rep. Steny Hoyer (pictured) of Maryland. "The kind of people that work there are well-educated, very professional, and I think any jurisdiction would be more than happy to have that kind of facility." Hoyer said the out-of-date existing FBI home would be replaced by an up-to-date commercial building."

If the FBI moves its people to one of the three short-listed sites outside D.C., it would not be alone, as there are a number of federal agencies with their headquarters located outside Washington, D.C.

At a meeting in March of last year, FBI Associate Deputy Director Kevin Perkins told a U.S. House committee that the FBI has more than 10,000 headquarters staff in multiple locations throughout the National Capitol Region, with more than half that number at the J. Edgar Hoover headquarters building. "The dispersal of employees has created significant challenges with regard to effectively managing the Bureau's 27 Headquarters divisions and offices, facilitating organizational change, and sharing information and collaboration across operational and administrative functions," said Perkins. "It is our hope that consolidating FBI Headquarters operations will improve information sharing and collaboration and eliminate redundancy."

The move toward investment in infrastructure projects is continuing, and the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), the largest public pension fund in the United States with approximately $300 billion in assets, is once again taking the lead. CalPERS, which currently has approximately $1.8 billion in infrastructure assets in its portfolio, this week announced another foray into planned infrastructure investments.

CalPERS has announced a new $500 million partnership with UBS Global Asset Management (UBS) that will invest in the global infrastructure market. The partnership will operate as Golden State Matterhorn, LLC. 

UBS has extensive experience and a proven record of success in global infrastructure investing that makes the firm a great partner, according to CalPERS Interim Chief Investment Officer Ted Eliopoulos (pictured). "We're excited to work with them as we identify and acquire core assets that will provide the best risk-adjusted returns for our portfolio," he said. 

CalPERS will bring $485 million to the partnership and UBS, which will serve as the managing member, will bring $15 million to the table. The partnership will seek investment opportunities in infrastructure both in this country and throughout global developed markets. The fund will focus on investing in public and private infrastructure in the transportation, power, energy and water sectors. 

CalPERS has been followed by a number of other states that are now investing in infrastructure, including Virginia, New York and Texas, to name a few. With low interest rates and a stock market short of steady, pension funds and other large investors are looking for a better return on their investment. Many are finding it through infrastructure investment. During the 2013-14 Fiscal Year, CalPERS infrastructure investments returned 22.8 percent and had a five-year average of 23.3 percent. 

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They're calling in "Measure E." It's a $114 million bond issue in the Stockton, California, Unified School District that would pay for "Excellent Electronic Education." The November ballot issue would result in an upgrade to all of the technology in the district - from new computers to increased bandwidth. It might even result in a move to the "cloud" instead of hosting its own servers. The schools will be moved away from traditional textbooks, said Superintendent Steve Lowder (pictured) to the use of more eBooks. "We need technology to help us be smarter and interact with kids," he said. Unlike bonds used for new construction, technology bonds are a different type of investment for taxpayers. The current law does not allow technology bonds to be paid off over 25-30 years like construction bonds. The law is to keep schools from incurring long-term debt they will be paying off long after the computers and other technology have become obsolete. Technology bonds are generally paid off in a much shorter term, such as three to five years. "This way, we pay much less in interest," said Lowder.  

Napa Valley College District seeking millions in bond measure

Campus upgrades, improved technology and services for veterans are all addressed in an upcoming Napa Valley College (California) bond measure. The bond issue, to be on a Nov. 4 ballot, carries a price tag of $198 million. If successful, the bond proceeds would pay for the addition and repair of classrooms, buildings and equipment, expansion of the college's Veterans' Center, technology upgrades for classrooms and expansion of career training facilities. The Board of Trustees putting the bond issue on the ballot came after a May telephone survey indicated more than 60 percent of prospective voters were inclined to support a bond issue for the college.  

School system in Maine prepares for upcoming needs for facility improvements

The structural and functional needs of the Windham Schools in Cumberland County (Maine) for the next 20 years are part of the town's new Capital Improvement Plan. A professional assessing firm hired last year studied the needs of the district's four schools. Superintendent Winfried Feneberg (pictured) said the next 20 years should see about $16 million in capital projects, with each year needing $750,000 to $800,000 spent on the projects. 

County in Pennsylvania lists more needs than it has money

Officials in Luzerne County in Pennsylvania are preparing to make capital repairs. The only problem is their repair needs exceed their funding. The local airport's roof is leaking, nearly 20 bridges are in need of repair, courthouse elevators are in need of repair and more. Infrastructure needs alone total $20 million, and the county has only $16 million to spend. "I don't envy your task," said County Manager Robert Lawton (pictured) told the county council. Among the recommended improvements to be paid for by the county's dwindling funds are $3 million in improvements at Moon Lake Park that include plumbing, potable wells, road repairs and electricity needs. Among other improvements being discussed are: $2.37 million for interior dome plaster and gilding repair at the courthouse; $2 million to replace the Division Street Bridge; $1.45 million to buy and renovate a record storage facility; $1.1 million to install a voice-over Internet protocol telephone system; $900,000 for grading and repairs to the rear courthouse parking lot; $400,000 renovate the courthouse elevators; and $240,000 to repave Chase Road in Jackson Township.

Bond referendum in North Carolina addresses housing, infrastructure

The city transportation system, housing amenities and neighborhood infrastructure would benefit from a $146 million bond issue if citizens of Charlotte, North Carolina, approve the referendum. Of the total bond proceeds, $110 million would be used for transportation projects, $10 million would go to neighborhoods and $15 million to housing. In addition to improving public safety, availability of housing and public transit options, the bond issue would also provide for new sidewalks and trails. Additionally, some of the bond proceeds would go toward redeveloping Bojangles Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium, with an eye toward investment in the Charlotte Douglass International Airport area. All of the upgrades and amenities that would result from the bond are expected to be cause for more business and industry to move to the area, say city officials.

Infrastructure, public safety enhancements part of New Jersey city's program

A capital program for Edison, New Jersey, is aimed at improving public safety while upgrading neighborhood streets, parks and water-related systems. The city's police department would benefit from $1.9 million in the capital improvement plan that includes upgrade of the police department's 911 emergency response system, upgrades to its audio-recording systems and renovation of the police headquarters. The fire department would get $2.1 million for a new medium-duty fire rescue truck, two pumper trucks and some other new equipment. "We intend to make a positive investment in our neighborhoods, enhance essential services like public safety and make long-overdue upgrades to Edison's infrastructure," said Mayor Thomas Lankey (pictured). The township recently approved two capital improvement bond ordinances that total $20 million. Sewer lines would benefit from the first bond ordinance of $8 million, repairing, relining and rebuilding sanitary sewer lines in the town, refurbishing three sewage pump stations, constructing three other pump station bypass lines and making sewage collection upgrades. The upgrades and new equipment related to the fire and police departments would be part of a separate $11.9 billion bond and another $4 million would be used to buy asphalt and other repaving materials. Traffic signal upgrades would cost $932,000. Also included are new public works equipment, park improvement and purchase of four new vans. 

Grants will help fund nine solar projects for schools, cities in Vermont

The state's Clean Energy Development Fund, created to increase more efficient and sustainable electric power sources, will put $442,000 in grants into nine solar projects throughout Vermont. The projects collectively are expected to provide more than 500 kilowatts of power for schools and communities throughout the state. A grant of $80,000 will go to the town of Waitsfield for a 102-kilowatt solar project on the town garage to power municipal buildings. Other grants will go to Richford, South Strafford, Thetford, Warren, Sharon, North Thetford, Berlin and Shrewsbury. The grant awards are contingent on either community ownership or local investment.

 Georgia city looking forward to $2 billion in infrastructure improvements

In the next two to three years, Cobb Town, Georgia, will see about a billion dollars' worth of infrastructure improvements, according to Commissioner Bob Ott (pictured). A special committee was formed to coordinate among all the departments that are involved, all of whom are government officials. Among them are representatives of the water authority, parks and recreation, transportation, communication and information services. "It just seemed to make sense that we bring all these groups together so that everybody knew what everyone else was doing," said Ott.  The county plans to begin construction on at least four major projects along Windy Hill Road in the next two years. One project includes adding a median and additional lane on each side of Windy Hill Road from Cobb Parkway to I-75 and replacing existing sidewalks along the Windy Hill stretch at a cost of about $14.5 million. Another project will add a median and reconfigure the existing six lanes into three lanes traveling in either direction at a cost of about $4.7 million. A third project on Windy Hill Road from Spectrum Circle to Windy Ridge Parkway will add a westbound lane to ease congestion. Sidewalks on the westbound side of Windy Hill will be replaced as well. The total cost will be $3.3 million. The fourth major project to improve Windy Hill Road is the diverging diamond interchange to be built on the bridge over I-75.

Check out these recent awards: 

• Lander's High Country Construction won a contract award of $11 million from the Wyoming Department of Transportation for widening and resurfacing nearly 7 miles of WYO 59 between Weston and the Montana border. The project will add 6-foot safety shoulders to the highway and replace two bridges.
• DCS Consulting won a contract worth up to $1 million from the General Services Administration for professional, administrative and management support services.  
• Conti Enterprises won a $9.6 million contract from the city of South Plainfield, New Jersey, for the capping of Fenimore Landfill.
• Louis Berger won a contract worth up to $3 million from the Navy for professional, administrative and management support services.  
• Pavecon Public Works was awarded a $4 million contract by the city of Greenville, Texas, to rebuild the south ends of Stonewall and Sayle Streets and Webb Avenue between Sayle and Wesley Streets.
• Science Applications International Corp. of McLean won a contract worth up to $89.5 million from the Army for management and technical support for high performance computing services.  
• McGarvin-Moberly Construction won two contracts from the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The first is a $12.2 million contract for milling off deteriorating pavement and replacing it on 12 miles of the westbound lanes of I-80 east of Wamsutter and the second contract is a $7.3 million contract to remove deteriorating pavement and lay down new pavement on nearly seven miles of I-25 at Chugwater Rehabilitation, including 10 bridges on the highway section
• SGT won a contract worth up to $131 million from NASA for research and development.  
• Midlantic Construction Inc. won a $41.4 million contract from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to widen a three-mile section of the Garden State Parkway between Galloway and Egg Harbor.  
• Strategy and Management Services of Springfield won a contract worth up to $3.7 million from the Army for professional, administrative and management support services.

Jacksonville chamber hopes to generate deals for small businesses with P3

The Jacksonville, Florida, chamber of commerce, Jax Chamber, recently announced a new public-private partnership geared toward connecting small businesses with funding opportunities, training and mentoring opportunities that could both lead to contracting opportunities for services and products for the businesses while spurring entrepreneurial growth. Called Jax Bridges, the program is the offshoot of the Entrepreneurial Growth Division.  Early-stage companies will soon be eligible to apply for  the program. Jax Chamber is expecting to be able to facilitate around 100-150 small businesses in its first training stage of the program.

Among the parts of the program are; access to capital for qualified small businesses through assistance with obtaining a line of credit, loans and other financing options; a business exchange portal that allows startups to create business profiles and target market, products and funding for other needs; education for entrepreneurs that includes training on how to pitch to investors; a CEO roundtable with access to top executives in Florida regarding ways to grow and develop small businesses.

"We applaud larger businesses here in Jacksonville, but the quantum growth that's going to take place is going to come from these smaller companies," said Carlton Robinson (pictured), senior director of the Entrepreneurial Growth Division. The program has a goal in its first year of creating $100 million in deal flow for businesses in Jacksonville. Several large businesses have signed up as partners in the program along with the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida, the Jacksonville Small Emerging Business program and other area chambers and economic development organizations.

 PennDOT preparing to move forward with replacing hundreds of bridges

Five consortiums, which include engineers, contractors and a financial group, are being scored by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) as the state prepares to move forward with plans to replace hundreds of structurally deficient bridges throughout the state.

The projects are part of a public-private partnership that will see some of the state's 4,500 bridges replaced. When the consortium for the projects is chosen, it will provide upfront funding for the design and construction of the bridges. Then the consortium will design and build the bridges. The state's stake in the project includes paying the consortium along the way to completion, based on agreed-to milestones. Once completed, the consortium will be responsible for inspection and maintenance of the bridges for up to 35 years.

This project, called the Rapid Bridge Replacement Project, will replace approximately 600 PennDOT bridges. Officials are hopeful to get the projects under way next year. 

 Are you a government official who has moved into a new position or to a new agency? Did you recently retire? Were you recently named to an executive-level position at a state-supported college, university or community college? Have you secured a new job as superintendent of a public school? If so, we'd like to hear from you - and so would your friends and colleagues - for our "Where Are They Now" column. Just drop us a line at editor@spartnerships.com and let us know about your previous job and where you are now. This week we feature Rick Hodges. 

Rick Hodges (pictured) has been named by Ohio Gov. John R. Kasich as the new director of the Ohio Department of Health. Hodges replaces Dr. Ted Wymyslo, who left the department earlier this year. Hodges comes to the job with health care management experience. He held senior roles in health care organizations in Northwest Ohio. A former state legislator, Hodges currently serves as executive director of the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, where he was responsible for overhauling the turnpike's operations to reduce costs and improve the quality of roads in the state. Prior to joining the Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, Hodges served in both the public and private sectors. His public sector career began when he was elected the youngest county treasurer in Ohio - in Fulton County. He later was elected to the General Assembly. While serving as a state legislator, he was on the Transportation and Public Safety and Highways Committees. He has also served previously on the Toledo Public Schools Oversight Commission, helping pass a bond issue that allowed for construction and renovation of 60 public schools. Hodges earned his his Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Oberlin College and his Masters of Public Administration from the University of Toledo.