Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

CoBank Quarterly: US Monetary Policy Poised to Replace COVID as Economic Wild Card

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 13, 2022

Economic risks from new, high-impact coronavirus variants will remain throughout 2022, said Dan Kowalski , vice president of CoBanks Knowledge Exchange division.

Key Points: 
  • Economic risks from new, high-impact coronavirus variants will remain throughout 2022, said Dan Kowalski , vice president of CoBanks Knowledge Exchange division.
  • As the labor market inches closer to full employment, any last arguments for the Federal Reserve to maintain its highly accommodative monetary policy are losing their merit.
  • With the market now anticipating a sea change in monetary policy, the tightening of financial conditions has begun.
  • Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

Report Cards to Rate 50 States & DC on Top Traffic Safety Laws to Curb Historic Rise in Roadway Deaths

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 13, 2022

Deaths on U.S. roadways are skyrocketing with more than 20,000 people killed during the first six months of 2021, the most during this period since 2006. This accounts for a nearly 20 percent rise in deaths over the same period in 2020 -- the largest such spike ever recorded in the U.S. (Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

Key Points: 
  • Advocates will also release a new public opinion poll on leading roadway safety concerns.
  • The 2022 Roadmap Report will:
    Rate each state and DC as green, yellow or red, based on the number of optimal traffic safety laws enacted,
    Identify Best & Worst states, and
    Recommend specific legislative actions each state should take during the 2022 legislative session to close lethal loopholes in their traffic safety laws and reverse the deadly trend of rising traffic deaths.
  • Deaths on U.S. roadways are skyrocketing with more than 20,000 people killed during the first six months of 2021, the most during this period since 2006.
  • Bill Bronrott, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, +1 2022704415, [email protected]
    Pete Daniels, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, 301-442-2249, [email protected]

Commercial Metals Announces Plan To Build State-Of-The-Art Micro Mill

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 10, 2022

IRVING, Texas, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) ("CMC") today announced, as the next phase of its long-term growth strategy, a plan to construct another state-of-the-art micro mill geographically situated to primarily serve the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Mid-Western United States markets.

Key Points: 
  • IRVING, Texas, Jan. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Commercial Metals Company (NYSE: CMC) ("CMC") today announced, as the next phase of its long-term growth strategy, a plan to construct another state-of-the-art micro mill geographically situated to primarily serve the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Mid-Western United States markets.
  • CMC is currently in the site selection process and exploring several suitable options.
  • The new micro mill will be among the most environmentally friendly steelmaking operations in the world.
  • The technology to be employed is lower in both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional steelmaking processes.

Silicon Ranch Raises $775 Million in Equity Funding Led by Manulife Investment Management

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, January 6, 2022

Manulife Investment Management, on behalf of Manulife Infrastructure Fund II and John Hancock, led the round with a ~$400 million commitment, its first investment in the company.Manulife Investment Management is joined in the round by existing Silicon Ranch shareholders, including Shell, TD Greystone Infrastructure Fund (Global Master) L.P., and Mountain Group Partners.

Key Points: 
  • Manulife Investment Management, on behalf of Manulife Infrastructure Fund II and John Hancock, led the round with a ~$400 million commitment, its first investment in the company.Manulife Investment Management is joined in the round by existing Silicon Ranch shareholders, including Shell, TD Greystone Infrastructure Fund (Global Master) L.P., and Mountain Group Partners.
  • The equity raise caps off another record year for Nashville-based Silicon Ranch.
  • "We are pleased to make this investment on behalf of our clients and thrilled to become long-term equity partners with Silicon Ranch," said Recep Kendircioglu, Head of Infrastructure Investments at Manulife Investment Management.
  • Manulife Investment Management is the global brand for the global wealth and asset management segment of Manulife Financial Corporation.

Bentley Systems to Announce Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Operating Results and 2022 Financial Outlook

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq:BSY), the infrastructure engineering software company today announced that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2021 operating results, as well as discuss its 2022 outlook, on March 1, 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Bentley Systems, Incorporated (Nasdaq:BSY), the infrastructure engineering software company today announced that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2021 operating results, as well as discuss its 2022 outlook, on March 1, 2022.
  • Alternatively, the event can be accessed from the Events & Presentations page on Bentley Systems Investor Relations website at https://investors.bentley.com .
  • A replay and transcript will be available after the conclusion of the live event on Bentley Systems Investor Relations website.
  • Bentley Systems employs more than 4,000 colleagues and generates annual revenues of more than $800 million in 172 countries.

CALSTART Report Shows 27% Growth in Full-Size Zero-Emission Buses in U.S. to Total 3,533

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Full-size ZEBs have grown to 3,533 buses nationally, an increase of 27% since the 2020 count.

Key Points: 
  • Full-size ZEBs have grown to 3,533 buses nationally, an increase of 27% since the 2020 count.
  • The report notes that most ZEB fleets are small, ten or fewer, so the coming funding will be instrumental in scaling fleets.
  • "Smaller transit agencies and regions that are not familiar with zero-emission technologies need additional resources and effort to begin their transition."
  • This year's report also includes a breakdown of full-size and small buses, as small ZEB deployment increased by 51%.

WITT O’BRIEN’S ASSISTS STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DISTRIBUTE NEARLY $1.2 BILLION IN RENTAL ASSISTANCE

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 27, 2021

We are immensely proud of our participation in this monumental achievement to deliver lifesaving aid to over 200,000 households around the country, says Matthew Erchull, managing director at Witt OBriens.

Key Points: 
  • We are immensely proud of our participation in this monumental achievement to deliver lifesaving aid to over 200,000 households around the country, says Matthew Erchull, managing director at Witt OBriens.
  • These include community assessments, program framework development, communications and outreach, application management software, and application review, among other critical services.
  • More recently, Witt OBriens has also been assisting its clients with HUD allocated HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds to accelerate the development of affordable housing throughout the United States.
  • Witt OBriens , a subsidiary of SEACOR Holdings Inc., is the world leader in crisis and emergency management.

KKR, Ontario Teachers’ and PSP Investments Complete Acquisition of Spark Infrastructure

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 22, 2021

KKR, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers) and Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments and together, the Consortium) today announced the completion of the acquisition of all issued securities of Spark Infrastructure (ASX: SKI) in an all-cash transaction for approximately A$5.2 billion.

Key Points: 
  • KKR, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers) and Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments and together, the Consortium) today announced the completion of the acquisition of all issued securities of Spark Infrastructure (ASX: SKI) in an all-cash transaction for approximately A$5.2 billion.
  • Alongside Ontario Teachers and PSP Investments, we look forward to working with the management teams of Spark Infrastructure and its portfolio companies, to support the business objectives to improve grid stability and build secure, high-quality and cost-effective electricity infrastructure for customers across the country.
  • We are excited to add Spark Infrastructure to our Infrastructure portfolio and to continue nurturing our established relationships with KKR and Ontario Teachers, said Sandiren Curthan, Senior Director, Infrastructure Investments, PSP Investments.
  • It manages a diversified global portfolio composed of investments in public financial markets, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, natural resources and credit investments.

AARP Pennsylvania Commends Governor Wolf for Signing H.B. 2071, Establishing a Broadband Development Authority

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 22, 2021

HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of its 1.8 million members, AARP Pennsylvania commends Governor Tom Wolf for signing House Bill (H.B.)

Key Points: 
  • HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On behalf of its 1.8 million members, AARP Pennsylvania commends Governor Tom Wolf for signing House Bill (H.B.)
  • 2071, which creates the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority to oversee the state's strategy to manage the federal funding that will guide the development and expansion of broadband services.
  • AARP Pennsylvania also commends House sponsor Representative Martin Causer (R-67) for his leadership in introducing H.B.
  • Bill Johnston-Walsh, AARP Pennsylvania State Director, praised the enactment of H.B.

Best’s Market Segment Report: New Infrastructure Law Expected to Boost U.S. Surety Market

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 20, 2021

The infrastructure bill also calls for expanded broadband internet access and other investments to protect against droughts, floods and other weather-related challenges.

Key Points: 
  • The infrastructure bill also calls for expanded broadband internet access and other investments to protect against droughts, floods and other weather-related challenges.
  • The Bests Special Report, New Infrastructure Law Expected to Boost US Surety Market, notes that the surety segment saw a slowdown in premiums as the pandemic led to reduced construction spending during the 2020 recession.
  • The downturn particularly affected projects with greater exposure to those sectors most severely impacted by COVID-19, including retail, hospitality and travel.
  • The expected benefits of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act further reinforce the outlook change.