Expert Insights
Expert Insights
As President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., Mary Scott Nabers has decades of experience working in the public-private sector. A well-recognized expert in the P3 and government contracting fields, she is often asked to share her industry insights with top publications and through professional speaking engagements. Get an exclusive look at upcoming trends and insider tips from Mary herself on the SPI blog.
Population growth, weather events and public safety needs are creating great demand for public safety construction
With so many changes announced daily at the federal level of government, inquiries continue to come in from people asking what government contractors should expect. My answer is always the same. While there are few guarantees in life about anything, the one area I am...
Riding the rails will continue for people and freight – contracting opportunities abound… but changes could be looming
At one time, railroads were the predominant mode of travel in America. They still function well, but now hundreds of cities and many states are dealing with rail modifications and roadway revisions because of new safety requirements and other transportation...
Can we stay focused on America’s most critical needs and the public-private collaborations that are required?
Researchers and physicians tell us that one of the best ways to keep our brains functioning well is to embrace learning new things continually. Stretching our brains with new ideas and skills requires rigid discipline – the type we associate with nutrition and...
As America absorbs historic change, business leaders should move quickly to engage with government officials
Although I’ve been involved in government for most of my adult life, I’ve never experienced a more disruptive environment than the one we are dealing with now. America, as we know it, will eventually get back to some degree of normalcy, but until that happens, the...
My thoughts about the government marketplace in these disruptive times
The unique and disruptive chaos so painfully visible at the federal level of government is causing millions of Americans to be extremely concerned about what comes next. The existing angst has disrupted global markets and caused many businesses to put a pause on major...
Outdated correctional facilities in America are creating an abundance of upcoming projects
Construction companies, technology firms and equipment vendors are advised to focus on what is happening with new funding for correctional facilities throughout the country. Plans for these types of facilities are on drawing boards with funding already in place...
Collaborations between public officials and private sector companies continue to multiply
While the federal government faces historic changes and contracting disruptions, local governments continue to offer abundant opportunities for public-private collaborations. Many upcoming projects have been vetted after several years of planning and community...
A bridge repair here, another one there, and many more in sight
America’s old bridges must be repaired, replaced or expanded... and there are thousands of them. They will all receive the attention they require sometime soon because there is no other option. The funding to make these structures safe, sustainable and efficient for...
New healthcare facilities and hospital expansion projects will launch soon in numerous states with more on the way
Many cities, universities and state agencies have new funding for healthcare facilities. Some funding will be used for repurposing or expanding existing buildings. Other funding is earmarked for completely new buildings. These resulting upcoming projects will not only...
Few public projects generate as much diverse demand for industry expertise as infrastructure initiatives
Public infrastructure is a critical component of quality-of-life issues for American citizens throughout the U.S. It is also a huge source of collaboration for public officials and private sector companies. Upcoming projects are abundant and can be found in every...
Transportation projects continue to provide opportunities for government contractors throughout the U.S.
Transportation infrastructure projects are likely to never end because roads, bridges, rail, and public transportation must be maintained. Currently, at the federal level of government, billions are still being allocated for critical infrastructure projects that call...
Transforming public safety facilities for the future
Across the nation, public safety infrastructure is undergoing a significant transformation. Public officials in cities and counties are investing in new facilities to enhance emergency response capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and support growing...
Major infrastructure projects advancing sustainability and resilience
With many of the nation’s critical systems struggling to meet demand, ensure safety, and comply with regulations, sustainability and resilience have become top priorities for public officials nationwide. The following projects highlight key infrastructure projects...
Public officials rush to launch projects that connect communities, boost the economy and stabilize aging infrastructure
Recently funding has come under review for numerous government programs, however funding is still available for projects that connect communities, boost economic vitality and upgrade aging infrastructure. While current allocations are expected to be fully utilized,...
America’s problems related to homelessness continue to create massive demand for collaborative initiatives
The issue of homelessness is at the very top of priority lists for every mid-size and large city in the U.S. The costs associated with large communities of unhoused individuals are daunting. Different types of remedies exist, and hundreds of cities are planning...
Healthcare demands are fueling needs for new facilities and modern technology throughout the U.S.
The needs for healthcare services throughout the U.S. continue to escalate and the efforts to meet them are creating high demand for construction, engineering, and technology expertise. Multi-million-dollar projects will soon launch in Pennsylvania, South Carolina,...
Major investments in parks and recreation driving new contracting prospects
Across the U.S., major investments are being made to enhance parks, outdoor recreation areas, and essential infrastructure. From zoo expansions to shoreline protection and utility systems upgrades, these projects represent significant economic activity and will create...
Large local projects to consolidate law enforcement, public safety and judicial operations can be found in planning documents throughout the U.S.
It is becoming increasingly common for public safety, law enforcement, fire departments and other first responders to consolidate their operations in locations that feature leading edge technology and more efficient equipment. Many are situated in locations where...
Public officials will launch numerous large correctional facility construction projects in 2025 and 2026
Correctional facilities in many regions have been overlooked for decades, overshadowed by more pressing and immediate priorities. Most operate very inefficiently. Not only are they costly to maintain, most lack the modern technology needed to enhance security and very...
Nationwide water quality projects present plentiful contracting opportunities in 2025
Water projects are likely to offer some of the most significant infrastructure contracting opportunities in 2025. While funding is still available at the federal level, public officials are rushing to upgrade water infrastructure. The expectation is that the incoming...
New cultural arts centers are planned nationwide for 2025
Cities and counties throughout the U.S. are launching or planning new cultural arts centers. Many of them have plans to partner with universities, local foundations or non-profits. Others may have leveraged state or federal funds. No matter how it is obtained, funding...
Now is the time to check out the new rail projects planned for a 2025 launch
Countries throughout the world are currently spending billions on rail infrastructure. America faces ongoing struggles in staying competitive, a task that is far from simple. Vietnam’s National Assembly recently approved construction of a $67 billion high speed...
Upcoming DOD construction projects offer diverse contracting opportunities
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has many large construction projects with launch dates planned for 2025. The projects will be federally funded and implemented in multiple states across the nation. Contractors from multiple specialties and industries will be...
Healthcare facility construction: key projects set to shape America’s infrastructure in 2025
As the demand for modernized and expanded infrastructure surges, one sector stands out with unprecedented momentum: healthcare facilities. Healthcare facilities are critical components of the nation’s infrastructure and from what can be seen in planning documents, it...
Cutting-edge technology is transforming construction, with AI and digital models leading the way
Technology is changing every industry, and the architecture, engineering and construction sectors have been impacted significantly over the past decade and a half. The use of technology such as digital twins, building information modeling, and generative design would...
Revitalizing America’s cities: investment, innovation and contracting opportunities in 2025
Cities and counties throughout the U.S. are revitalizing downtown areas, providing more housing, adding revenue generating attractions and repurposing other public areas. There are numerous drivers behind these types of focused projects, with population growth and the...
Fast-growing cities are moving quickly to upgrade and expand infrastructure
Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Texas, Florida and Arizona are among the fastest-growing states in America. In any rapidly growing state, booming population growth brings abundant opportunities. Six of the 10 fastest-growing counties in the U.S are located in Texas. This surge...
November bond elections provide millions in new funding for upcoming projects throughout Texas
Texas voters approved hundreds of millions of dollars in bond proposals on Election Day this past Tuesday. More than 50 cities, counties and school districts put measures before voters to fund projects such as road repairs, facility construction and renovations and...
Large, low visibility infrastructure projects are being planned throughout America
At-grade rail crossings – where roads intersect at the same level with railway tracks – are the second leading cause of rail-related fatalities in the U.S., with over 2,000 incidents and approximately 200 deaths annually. The existing technology for grade crossing...
Hundreds of projects to reconnect communities separated by roadways will launch in 2025
The 4.2 million miles of roads and highways in the U.S. are critical components of the country’s economic vitality. The transportation infrastructure allows Americans to commute, connect and transport goods efficiently. Yet, many of the older roadways limit access...
New funding awards escalate the launch of 44 major infrastructure projects
A new $4.2 billion funding allocation was announced this week, and the allocations will support the planning and pre-launch efforts of 44 new projects. This financial support comes from two major federal programs that provide MEGA and INFRA grants for infrastructure...
Power grid projects are abundant—and vital for American people and businesses
The historic effort that has been made to upgrade and stabilize America’s infrastructure over the past several years has moved the country into a safer and more resilient state. But there’s more that must be done. The effort is not ending, and new funding has just...
Community parks, sports and recreation projects drawing newfound interest—and funding—from public officials
The attraction to and interest in parks, community centers and sports-related recreational facility projects has escalated significantly over the past several years. Public officials, especially at the municipal levels of government, are increasing their investments...
Public-Private Partnerships continue to gain traction throughout America
Public-private partnerships (P3s) of all sizes and types are becoming more common throughout America and this type of project delivery model is being use for all types of initiatives. Many federal funding programs now require some amount of private-sector investment,...
Professional services contracts will launch in abundance throughout the U.S. for years to come
Officials at every level of government procure hundreds of professional services to meet specific needs. These types of contracting opportunities are abundant, and many industry sectors fall into a professional services category – planning, design, legal, consulting,...
Water infrastructure projects are abundant as cities and states face shortages
America has water problems. Water stress can be found in almost every state. New Mexico falls into the category of extremely high ‘water stress’ for multiple reasons, including climate change, limited rainfall and reduced volume of water in both the Rio Grande and...
Transportation technology in high demand as roads, bridges, airports and public transit authorities are modernizing nationwide
Transportation systems nationwide are undergoing significant change. Emerging technologies and innovative mobility options are changing all modes of transportation, and soon both people and freight will be transported differently. Intelligent transportation systems...
Communities nationwide planning disaster preparedness, sustainability projects
In 2023, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) responded to 100 disasters, provided approximately $12 billion to communities and states for disaster recovery and $1.3 billion to survivors of disasters. With three months remaining in 2024, 150 disasters have...
Transit-oriented development projects are launching nationwide
Cities and counties throughout the U.S. are benefitting from funding that is readily available for transit-oriented development (TOD). Economic development teams have seen the boost of economic vitality that this type of initiative brings to local communities, and the...
Cities, counties nationwide are launching public safety facility projects
Cities and counties throughout the U.S. are expanding and modernizing public safety facilities. Many are long overdue for upgrades. The urgency to upgrade is because well-maintained and strategically placed facilities contribute to lower response times by police, fire...