SSE helps answer west side questions about forming a new sewer district!

Schultz Surveying and Engineering (SSE) owner Stan Schultz recently attended a meeting to help local Shawnee Bend area residents answer questions concerning the formation of a sewer districts and their purpose.

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$200 Million Will be Available for Northern Arkansas Highways by the End of 2013

Poplar Bluff Chamber sponsors small business conference focused

on how to help Hubzone businesses win contracts with the U.S. DOT 

Rodney Jetton, Willis Mushrush and Tammy Armond

POPLAR BLUFF, MO – The Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce, University of Missouri Extension Center, Ozark Regional Foothills Planning Commission and Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) joined with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in sponsoring a conference to teach Hubzone business owners how to win government contracts to build roads in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri.  DOT Small Business Transportation Resource Center project director Tammy Armond said, “We didn’t have a conference like this scheduled in Missouri, but when I found out that DOT had approximately $200 million in federal aid that was going to be procured in northern Arkansas by the end of the year I knew we needed to do more to reach out to small business in southern Missouri.”

Steve Halter

Participants came from all across southern Missouri and northern Arkansas with one attendee coming all the way from St. Louis.  Chamber director Steve Halter welcomed everyone to Poplar Bluff and emphasized how the Poplar Bluff Chamber was excited to help sponsor the conference and wanted to do everything they could to help businesses grow and create jobs.  The two day conference included presentations on the Hubzone program, contractor bonding requirements as well as the outlook for government contracting in the near future.  Additionally, each agency explained what they could do to help Hubzone businesses apply for and win government contracts.

Willis Mushrush of PTAC

Willis Mushrush, the PTAC Business Development Specialist, covered all the free services PTAC offered to Missouri small businesses.  He got everyone’s attention when he said, “Doing business with the government makes sense because the government is the world’s biggest customer and buys all kinds of goods and services.  Their checks never bounce and they spend $43 million every hour, which is over a billion a day buying products and services.” He explained they help companies develop budgets and marketing plans, plus bid tracking and preparation.  They also help companies sign up on all the government registration sites.  “Using PTAC’s services can help small businesses increase bid and networking opportunities, plus provide them with more chances to attend conferences and training classes, helping them win more contracts,” added Mushrush.    

Schultz Surveying and Engineering was one of the local companies who participated in the two day conference.  “We completed several contracts for the federal government as a Hubzone company and our Small Business Administration (SBA) representative, Patricia Guttmann, as well as PTAC’s services were very helpful in our efforts to win contracts.  I was excited that they were having the conference in Poplar Bluff and wanted our company to participate,” remarked SSE owner Stan Schultz.

Small Business Development Specialist Kevin Anderson

Other speakers included Kevin Anderson from the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Center, Alan Rodgers of Bancorp South Insurance Services, Mel Jackson with Southern Bank, Grover Richardson with DOT, Alan Rodgers from Bancorp South, David Ratliff from AR Credit Services and Rose Lucas with MoDOT.  SSE attendee Rodney Jetton said, “Tammy, Willis and Kevin organized a very informative conference that offered some great business advice.  Our company has done some federal work but I walked away with several great pointers that will help us more effectively compete for government projects.” 

The conference was held at the Holiday Inn in the conference center with the Poplar Bluff Chamber arranging the snacks, drinks and catering from Las Margaritas.  Michael Godi, owner of Godi Excavating in Salem, Missouri concluded by saying, “I am more confident of my ability to bid on state and federal contracts now that I understand the process better.”

Schultz Surveying and Engineering is a Missouri based Civil Engineering Company with offices in Poplar Bluff, Branson, Lake Ozark and Doniphan. They have provided drinking water and wastewater design services to over 58 communities in Missouri.  To date, they have helped those communities obtain over $124,000,000 in public funding.  They have helped design roads for cities, counties and MoDOT including Hwys. 67, 60, and 13 to name just a few.  They have several large state of the art USACE validated testing labs and are one of the select companies that have been approved for a Blanket Purchase Agreement with the USACE.  They have also provided surveying services to a variety of clients from utilities, MoDOT, USACE, cities, corporations, small business, and individuals. SSE is a HubZone certified company and can be found at www.schultzengineering.com

JETTON NAMED CO-CHAIRMAN OF BLUE RIBBON CITIZENS TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – House Speaker Steven Tilley Appointed SSE Marketing Director Rod Jetton and Bill McKenna to Co-Chair the Blue Ribbon Citizens Transportation Committee.  It was tasked with addressing existing and future Missouri transportation issues.  Working alongside the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Blue Ribbon Committee met at several locations throughout the state to discuss local issues and funding ideas.  At each meeting the committee listened to concerned citizens input on transportation projects and funding ideas, as well as a presentation on local projects from MoDOT officials. The meetings were attended by over 600 concerned citizens discussing the future of Missouri transportation projects.  Tilley said, “Former Speaker Jetton is an expert on Missouri transportation issues and is respected for his past work on transportation problems.  His 236 mile walk to Jefferson City in 2001 and his support of Amendment 3 in 2004, as well as his Speaker’s Transportation tour in 2007, all helped to improve the dialog and progress of transportation issues in Missouri.”

 

Most meetings began with MoDOT Director Kevin Keith discussing the substantial funding loss MoDOT has experienced. Keith explained that Missouri transportation needs are financed by fuel taxes, vehicle licensing and sales tax on motor vehicle purchases. According to Keith, Missouri's 17-cent state fuel tax has not changed since 1992, though MoDOT expenses have risen substantially. MoDOT revenue, as a result, has decreased by 2 percent for four years in a row, due to more fuel efficient vehicles and people tending to drive less.

 

“MoDOT has done an impressive amount of work cutting costs,” said Jetton. “Under Director Keith’s Leadership, MoDOT has trimmed over $500 million, (20%), from their budget, which will ensure an even larger percentage of our highway funds go to roads. They have made the same tough choices families and small businesses have had to make in this rough economy.  Reducing staff and closing facilities shows their commitment to building roads, but these MoDOT reductions will not solve the funding crisis by themselves.”

 

Citizens attending were given time to speak to the committee on transportation issues and funding solutions.  The main theme heard from citizens dealt with how transportation projects could improve safety and create jobs.  Some of the top concerns were one lane and deficient bridges, no shoulders, safety cables and rumble strips, intersection improvement, crowded interstates, expansions of highways, more access points on highways, deeper ports, bicycle paths, and better public transportation.

 

Many citizens who provided testimony also had suggestions for how to pay for the needed improvements.  Fuel and sale tax increases were the top two mentioned items, but license and registration fees, vehicle miles traveled fees, and toll roads, were some of the other ideas suggested.  Jetton added, “We heard some very pressing needs on how to improve safety and help our economy.  It was estimated the suggested improvements would probably take an extra billion dollars a year to build, and while nobody wants higher taxes, we also heard some great suggestions on how Missouri citizens can raise the money to pay for the needs.”

 

The committee also heard some very interesting facts about Missouri’s transportation system, which included:

·         MoDOT is responsible for the 7th largest road system in America

·         Missouri has 33,702 miles of state highways. Of these, 6,000 miles are considered to be major roadways – they carry 80 percent of the State's traffic and 88 percent of them are rated in good condition. The remaining 27,000+ miles are classified as minor routes. These highways, which are generally in rural areas, need more attention and improvements – 72 percent are rated in good condition.

·         Missouri has 10,405 bridges on the State system. The average bridge is 46 years old and over 2,200 are deficient and in need of repair. Maintaining safe bridges is not only extremely important, but also very expensive. Replacing them all would cost $5 billion and each year, at least another 100 bridges are added to this deficient category.

·         Freight Rail plays an important role in Missouri’s transportation system.  Kansas City has the second largest rail hub in the country and St. Louis is the third largest. The State has 4,400 miles of mainline track, 2,500 miles of yard track, and 7,000 grade crossings.

·         MoDOT’s construction program has fallen from $1.2 billion in 2010 to less than $700 million today.

·         It takes almost $600 million to maintain the State’s existing system.

·         While MoDOT is responsible for the 7th largest road system in America, it is funded with the 6th lowest gas tax in the country.

·         The Federal Fuel Tax makes up 45 percent of MoDOT’s revenue.

·         State Fuel Tax revenues account for 22 percent of MoDOT’s revenue.

·         Motor Vehicle and License Fees account for 12 percent of MoDOT's revenue.

·         State Sales Tax on Vehicles generates 12 percent of MoDOT's revenue.

 

As a new state representative in 2001, Jetton was one of the harshest critics of MoDOT.  He made a 236 mile trek from his district in southeast Missouri to Jefferson City to protest MoDOT’s handling of the 15 year plan.  Many were surprised when he was selected to serve on the panel, and when asked what he thought was most interesting about the hearings Jetton stated, “No doubt it’s the perception of MoDOT.”  He continued, “In all my past travels around Missouri most of the comments concerning MoDOT were negative.  This year they were almost all positive.  Folks kept complementing MoDOT employees and thanking them for the projects they were building.  I think MoDOT has improved in two areas.  They changed their attitude and started listing to citizens, and they improved their operation and made sure projects were done on time and under budget.”

The committee wrapped up the hearings in September and has been meeting and working on a comprehensive report.  House communications officer Joe Engler indicated that the report should be ready to issue to Speaker Jones’s office before session starts in January. “Co-Chairman McKenna and all the committee members have put a great deal of time and energy into attending these hearings, listing to the suggestions and working on a comprehensive report that will help our legislative leaders move Missouri’s transportation needs forward.  Each of them deserves high praise for the efforts,” added Jetton.

Jetton’s full time job is with Schultz Surveying and Engineering as their marketing director.  SSE owner Stan Schultz said, “The Blue Ribbon Citizen’s Committee work has kept Rod busy and put him behind on a few SSE tasks, but we realize how important this issue is and are proud to have one of our employees working to move Missouri’s transportation needs forward.”

SSE Hosts two networking events in Southeast Missouri



Members of the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce

enjoy 1st Friday Coffee at the Poplar Bluff SSE Office

Poplar Bluff, MO- Schultz Surveying and Engineering was thrilled with the 75 people who joined them as they hosted the Poplar Bluff Chamber of Commerce 1^st Friday Coffee on June 7^th.  The staff of SSS welcomed chamber members and municipal leaders at their Poplar Bluff office for an early morning meet and greet while enjoying some great coffee, fresh fruit, and fresh baked bread.

 

The 1^st Friday event is held every first Friday of the month, hosted by varying chamber members as an opportunity to network with fellow chamber members and the public. SSE has been a member of the chamber since 1997 and SSE’s own Debby Norris was named Poplar Bluff Chamber Ambassador of the year in 2012.

 

SSE founder Stan Schultz said, “Having your business belong to something like the Poplar Bluff Chamber is not only just good business sense, it gives you an opportunity to take pride in your local area. The chamber events and meetings are a great way to network as well as become involved.”

 

Poplar Bluff Mayor Ed Dagaris with

SSE’s Debby Norris

Debby Norris concluded by saying, “Becoming a part of the chamber has opened a lot of doors for me to be able show how much SSE cares about the cities we all live and work in. It’s really been one of the best parts of my employment with SSE and I look forward to all the great things I will get to participate in the coming year.”

 

Doniphan, MO – Following up to the success of June’s Poplar Bluff Chamber event, SSE was excited to be able to host the Ripley County Chamber Coffee and Conversation event on July 26, 2013. Fifty chamber members joined hosts SSE at Coffee and More to take a few minutes in the early morning to hear about SSE, where the big news of the morning was SSE’s latest addition of their Doniphan office.

 

Stan Schultz, owner of SSE said, “Having owned more than one business here in Doniphan, and it being my own hometown, made opening an office in such an area a no-brainer. The towns like Doniphan of Ripley County are the kind of small town America songs are written about, and it’s that quality that has made me proud to call Doniphan and Ripley County my home.”

 

SSE has been a proud long standing member of the Ripley County Chamber, helping out in popular events like Timberfest, Coffee and Conversation and the Ripley County Fair. The Coffee and Conversation event brought some of the county’s most active residents.

Ripley County resident and SSE employee

Marvin Nesbit enjoys some good conversation at the

SSE hosted Coffee and Conversation

Doniphan resident and 13 year SSE veteran Marvin Nesbit enjoyed the great snacks and coffee while being able to chat with those he has worked with and lived with for years, saying, “You really can’t ask for a better place to work, play or live. Ripley County is home and being a part of a company like SSE that takes so much pride in being able to help the residents of my home town and other rural Missouri municipalities means a lot.  Our company is focused on helping rural communities and areas find ways to develop their infrastructure because we understand the unique process for bringing these projects from idea to reality. Knowing I have helped many small communities receive funding for clean drinking water or safe wastewater systems, well, you can't beat that feeling"

SSE Intern helps design and construct safer water system in Guatemala as part of Engineers Without Borders

The Engineers Without Borders volunteers and residents
lay pipe in Nahualate, Guatemala

Lake Ozark – Engineering Intern Tyler Bick returned to the lake area last week after a weeklong trip that started months ago. Tyler traveled to Nahualate, Guatemala to help see the construction of a potable drinking water system that had been designed by a team from Engineers without Borders.   There were 300 agricultural homes in the area that had shallow wells which would not produce a safe level of quantity or quality drinking water.

 

Nahualate, Guatemala

 

As one the 10 poorest countries in Latin America, Guatemala is a prime example of how students like Tyler gain real world experience, as well as meet the future leaders of the industry. Tyler said, “The biggest challenge was trying to design a system you could not visually see, examine or inspect in person, so relying on past teams who had been in the area, as well as teams currently there, taught me about teamwork I never learned in my classes.” Tyler went on to say, “I have travelled before and even studied abroad for a semester 100 miles south of the Arctic circle, but the adventure of Guatemala and being able to see how happy the townspeople were when clean drinking water was available to them was really exciting.  I plan on going back after I graduate in December to see the completed water tower we helped to design.”

 

Project faculty advisor Dr. Richard Stephenson added, Tyler is the perfect fit for this type of project. He has that adventurous spirit, and the inherent nature to want to help those in need. Having Tyler on the team was a huge asset. You can tell he is one of those students who will succeed after graduation and in life.”

 

Dr. Ronaldo Luna of Missouri S&T, Ing Luis Garcia

Ing Fernando Callejas, Todd Williams P.E., and Tyler Bick

Tyler came to SSE in the beginning of the summer of 2013 and has quickly become one of the family. Owner Stan Schultz concluded, “Having a young man with Tyler’s energy, knowledge and skills was a big help on our projects this summer.  I almost hate to see him go back to school, but I know he needs to finish his classwork and have no doubt he will be successful wherever he lands after graduation.”

 

To learn more about the Missouri Science and Technology Student Engineers Without Borders Chapter go here.

To learn more about Engineers Without Borders click here.

To see Tyler’s photo album from his trip to Guatemala visit our Facebook album page here.

 

 

Floodgates open at the Lake of the Ozarks

It has been just over two years since lake area residents and visitors have seen the flood gates of the Bagnell Dam opened, and on August 7, 2013 the waiting had ended.

After  17 inches of rain the last 7 days Ameren plant engineers decided to open 11 out of 12 floodgates and release tens of thousands gallons of water. The sudden rush of inflow was expected to raise the river a further four feet causing places like Camp Bagnell and Riverview RV Park to be evacuated.

The evacuation took place with its own set of issues from displacement of campers to emergency vehicles warning residents and fighting fires possibly caused by lightning strikes being mired in the hazards of the flash flooding that occurred during the night’s storm.

The dam was built between 1929 and 1931 by Union Electric and at the time the largest man-made lake in the United States. The brainchild of Ralph Street in 1912 the dam’s original plan called for a smaller sixty foot hydroelectric dam that would have resulted in a lake only forty miles long instead of the current 2,453 foot dam and 180 mile long lake (the actual coast line of the lake is 1,100 miles; longer than coast of California!).

SSE founder Stan Schultz commented “When the dam was built it was an engineering

SSE's Bob Arnold, R.L.S., Ken Farris, and
Tony cobb take in the view of the Dam

marvel well ahead of its time. It is rare when a structure is stronger than when it was first built, but back in the 80’s adding tension rods to the bedrock below made the dam even stronger. Even if the northern Truman Dam were to somehow fail Bagnell Dam would remain. The civil engineers who designed the dam didn’t only bring environmentally friendly hydroelectric power to thousands but created an entire destination spot for the whole country. That is what civil engineering is about; making lives better for people.”


To see all the pictures from the open floodgates click HERE!

SSE Vehicles Help Southern Missouri Families

Stan Schultz stand with the Ozark Family Resource Agnecy and their new truck.

Schultz Surveying & Engineering is a company that believes it is important to give back to the community and its people.  In the last few years, SSE has worked with the Ozark Family Resource Agency (OFRA) in Doniphan to do just that.  SSE owner Stan Schultz said, “OFRA is a great organization that helps throughout southern Missouri. We are not always able to do as much as I would like but we do what we can.”

 

OFRA is a 24 hour/7 day a week service agency that transports shelter residents and their children to school and community functions.  OFRA also takes those residents to doctor appointments and even to submit applications for employment.  They travel daily into the service area of a seven-county region to provide these direct services.  OFRA provides parenting in-home services, skill building and child development, and they also travel to conduct forensic interviews with children that have been abused sexually and physically.  This seven-county service area spans across more than 4,400 square miles.

 

SSE has donated older vehicles that needed to be taken out of its fleet but were very usable for the type of traveling OFRA workers required.  “We are extremely grateful to Stan Schultz, he has been more than generous to have donated three vehicles over the past few years and two in 2011,” said Melissa Morgan, Director of Operations, OFRA.  “Stan has been so understanding with the work that we do and the need of our agency to travel.  The money that we are able to save by having agency vehicles for use instead of paying mileage has been amazingly beneficial to our agency.”

 

SSE also donated a truck that has been instrumental in helping transition crisis shelter clients into housing.  With the truck, OFRA is able to move people into their own home.  In addition, OFRA is able to utilize it for fundraisers.  “We have had a successful “stuff the truck” to collect food and other supplies for the crisis shelter.  We hold fundraisers across our seven county region, and with the truck we have been able to move all of our fundraiser stuff to our events with one trip, saving us money,” stated Melissa.

 

The mission of Ozark Family Resource Agency is to support children and families in crisis through the crisis shelter, affordable housing, and child advocacy services.  And that is exactly what they are doing.  “Being able to give back to the community in such a way as this has been a true honor.  These families and children are in good hands with Melissa and the OFRA, and I look forward to continuing our relationship for years to come,” said Stan Schultz, owner of SSE.

 

Melissa Morgan had this to conclude, “OFRA has been blessed by knowing Stan Schultz.   He has literally been the “wind beneath our wings, enabling us to transport shelter clients, attend staff trainings, move housing clients, and promote OFRA through fundraising events because he gifted the agency with three vehicles!  Our agency has been able to soar, thanks to Stan’s generosity.”

 

For more information about the Ozark Family Resource Agency or to make a donation please visit www.ofra.org or call (573)996-2648.