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The Future of Open Floor Plans: Achieving Flexibility Without Employee Backlash

Cubicles and closed-off spaces in workplaces are outdated. Today, many businesses prefer open floor plans over private work zones. While open spaces are great for collaboration, they also have some drawbacks. How can you enhance the flexibility of open floor plans, boost employee well-being, and mitigate the drawbacks? Here are some ideas to consider. The […]

AI Adoption Creates ‘Unprecedented Demand’ for Data Centers: JLL Report

As the global economy continues to rapidly adopt artificial intelligence (AI), infrastructure to support these systems must keep pace, according to a new report from JLL. Consumers and businesses are expected to generate twice as much data in the next five years as all the data created over the past 10 years. This growth presents […]

FAA Awards Over $240 Million in Airport Infrastructure Grants

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $243.7 million in Airport Infrastructure Grants under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The $243.7 million includes 150 grants in 37 states to modernize airport infrastructure and improve runway safety. “We saw a record number of passengers fly during the recent holiday season, and we can […]

Under Construction: Top Facility Projects of January 2024

Facilities Management Advisor’s “Under Construction” series highlights some of the latest, most interesting facility project announcements every month. Hornets Arena Overhaul Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) has unveiled plans for major renovations at Spectrum Center, home of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. Dubbed “Re!magine Spectrum Center,” the $215 million project includes a range of fan-focused and […]

FEMA Expands Disaster Relief Funding to Include Net-Zero Energy Projects

For the first time, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will fund net-zero energy projects through its Public Assistance grant program, which covers the rebuilding of schools, hospitals, fire stations, and other community infrastructure investments post-disaster. FEMA is also funding net-zero energy projects for its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and now offers incentives through its […]

Creating a Safe Workplace for Winter: Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls

While some might enjoy walking in a winter wonderland, if facilities managers aren’t careful, their employees’ journey could include slip, trip, and fall injuries, which can be costly for employers and employees. However, there are ways to be prepared for what Mother Nature has in store. What Are Slips, Trips, and Falls? The Occupational Safety […]

North Carolina Awards $35M in School Safety Grants

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction’s Center for Safer Schools has awarded $35 million in safety grants to 230 school districts and charter schools. The funding will be used for safety equipment, training, and services for students in crisis. Safety equipment covered by this grant includes items such as cameras, vape detectors, radios, and […]

Back to Basics: 4 Types of Sprinklers to Consider for Your Facility

Back to Basics is an article series that highlights important, but possibly overlooked, information facilities management professionals should know. Whether facilities professionals are renovating an existing facility or doing new construction, installing the right type of sprinklers not only protects your facility from fires but also helps your organization adhere to federal, state, and local […]

Study: Geothermal Heat Pumps Represent Major Opportunity for U.S. Building Decarbonization

A new analysis from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that, coupled with building envelope improvements, installing geothermal heat pumps in around 70% of U.S. buildings could save as much as 593 terawatt-hours of electricity generation annually and avoid seven gigatons of carbon-equivalent emissions by 2050. “To put that in context, 593 terawatt-hours is about 15% […]

EPA Awards Nearly $11M to Help Community Buildings Combat Wildfire Smoke

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected nine applicants throughout the West to receive nearly $11 million in funding through the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings grant program. The new federal program aims to enhance community wildfire smoke preparedness by providing grants to states, federally recognized Tribes, public preschools, local educational agencies, and […]