As economies begin to reopen, one thing is clear. There is no guarantee that businesses, schools, and other commercial sites won't have to close again if COVID-19 escalates in the future.

Because of that possibility, the SPI Team has received numerous calls from companies that have decided it is time to diversify and move some of their resources into the government marketplace. We also believe that is an extremely wise decision.

Government does not shut down and government procurement officers purchase everything - products, services of all types, intelligence, staffing, etc. And, because so many governmental entities are working with constrained budgets, public officials are eager to hear about potential partnerships that reduce costs, generate revenue, stimulate economic vitality, or provide any type of operational efficiency.

So, below in this newsletter, you'll see a small announcement about a GUIDE that has been produced by the SPI Team. It is entitled Welcome to the Multi-Trillion Dollar Government Marketplace, and it was developed for companies that are trying to decide whether or not to move into government sales. The booklet, or guide, covers everything a company will need to consider, know, or learn. It offers a comprehensive look inside the government marketplace, and it outlines what it takes to be successful.

Most of this newsletter's readers are already interested in government, but this booklet is for companies that are not as knowledgeable or experienced in selling to government. I just wanted to explain a bit more about this unique resource.

Washington, D.C. - Ten of the 15 fastest-growing large U.S. cities of 50,000 or more since 2010 were in the South, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released on May 20.

Frisco, Texas was the fastest-growing city in the U.S. from 2010 to 2019 with a growth rate of 71.1 percent. The city's population eclipsed the 200,000 mark during that time. Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, and Dallas combined to equal 39.5 percent of the 2.4 million increase by the top 15 cities in numeric gain.

Among the 15 U.S. cities or towns with populations of 50,000 or more as of April 1, 2010, that had the largest numeric increases since 2010, eight were located in the South, five in the West, and one each in the Northeast and the Midwest.

Phoenix, Arizona, tops the list of the 15 largest numeric gainers with an increase of over 234,300 people or an average of 25,330 people per year between 2010 and 2019. Aside from New York, New York, and Columbus, Ohio, the other cities making up the list of the largest numeric gainers were located in the South or West.

Nine years after the 2010 Census, New York continued to be the nation's most populous city by a wide margin, with 8.3 million residents on July 1, 2019, followed by Los Angeles with almost 4 million and Chicago with about 2.7 million.

Oregon - Voters approved several capital projects in the $121.5 million bond referendum held by Lane Community College (LCC) on May 19, according to unofficial state results.

Passage will authorize the college to direct $77 million to local workforce career investments that include:

• Re-establishing a workforce development center;
• Constructing a new building to house the college's Dental Clinic and expand health professions programs;
• Expand manufacturing and technology programs;
• Create a mobile manufacturing-welding lab; and,
• Update the nursing program's simulation lab.

LCC will allocate $32.5 million toward safety and security updates and seismic retrofitting. Some LCC buildings are more than 50 years old and are seismically and structurally not up to code.

Other facility improvements include plans to make buildings and walkways more accessible, add automatic locks, secure learning spaces, and enhance communication tools. To ensure students are able to escape buildings in the event of a natural disaster, the college will reconstruct aging facilities.

The college will use $12 million from bond sales to update all science and biology laboratories with new equipment, ventilation hoods, and chemical storage. It also will install interactive technology and up-to-date classroom equipment and expand the Maxwell Student Veterans Center.

California - The Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD) issued a request for proposals (RFP) for a minimum of six school microgrids.

According to the RFP, the district is looking for an applicant that can finance, design, permit, build, commission, own and operate, and maintain the microgrid infrastructure under a 25-year power purchase agreement.

The effort is part of a solar and resiliency project at 15 district locations designed to support SBUSD's self-sufficient power operations. This ability will aid the district during utilities' planned power outages to avoid causing wildfires.

Other anticipated benefits are energy resiliency, lowered electricity costs, a reduced carbon footprint, and shaded campuses.

Proposals are due June 25. SBUSD officials plan to award the contract on August 25.

Nebraska - The city of Lincoln is considering a request for proposals (RFP) for the construction of a 700-space city-owned parking garage with first-floor commercial space as part of the Block 65 redevelopment project.

The RFP would begin the third phase of the estimated $100 million downtown development. The city recently selected a private developer for the first two phases.

An office building built by the development firm is set for the first phase, and the second phase will feature the renovation of the Sharp Building to retrofit upper stories into apartment units while preserving its office space.

Planning commissioners are scheduled to host a public hearing on the project on June 10 followed by the City Council on July 13.

Michigan - The state's Department of Transportation (MDOT) developed an interactive map that shows all road closures related to the flooding that resulted from two dam failures on May 19.

Gladwin, Midland, and Saginaw counties suffered the most flooding, and more than 20 state highways and local bridges have been impacted. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency for Midland County, helping to ensure federal aid availability for areas impacted by flooding.

MDOT officials report that many bridges will require extensive inspections and repairs before reopening. They are expecting more closures as water levels rise through Saginaw County.

The department immediately began establishing emergency contracts to begin inspections and repairs to the structures once water levels recede to allow the work.

Arizona - The Mesa City Council selected a $98.7 million package of transportation projects to consider for a potential November bond election.

Councilmembers reviewed several potential transportation projects at a study session on May 21 before selecting a dozen for consideration.

The 12 projects they will consider in order of priority are:

• Signal Butte Road improvements from Williams Field to Pecos Road - $9.5 million;
• Signal Butte Road improvements from Pecos Road to Germann Road - $6.8 million;
• Broadway Road from Mesa Drive to Stapley Drive - $17.5 million;
• Southern Avenue and Country Club Drive - $900,000;
• Arterial reconstructions package No. 1 - $22.6 million;
• Center Street from McKellips to 10th Avenue - separated bike lane - $6.8 million;
• Eastern Canal shared-use path from Broadway Road to Baseline Road - $3.1 million;
• Ellsworth Road from city limit to State Road 24 - $6.2 million;
• Sossaman and Baseline roads - $1.2 million;
• Ray Road connection to Ellsworth - $6.8 million;
• Stapley Drive and University Drive intersection - $9.4 million; and,
• Val Vista Drive from Pueblo Avenue to U.S. Highway 60 - $7.9 million.

City Council is scheduled to vote on June 15 whether to call the bond election.

New York - The city of Plattsburgh is seeking requests for proposals (RFPs) for a public-private partnership (P3) to build a waterfront development project that will contribute to creating an economically vibrant Lake Champlain waterfront and downtown.

City leaders envision development of the Dock Street Waterfront District to take advantage of its lake views, existing open spaces and kayak launch, marinas, and future home of a farmer's and crafter's market.

The city also sees the development as an opportunity to attract catalytic investment in downtown Plattsburgh by connecting the city's historic core with its waterfront and attracting visitors.

The city intends to contribute a 341-space parking lot and use grant funding it obtained to develop a Harborside master plan and update its comprehensive plan and zoning code, as well as finalize its Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP).
Completion of the LWRP will allow the city to apply for funding for future improvements to the Harborside area to make it a pedestrian oriented, waterside gateway with mixed-use development.

The 10-acre property is adjacent to city park land, a recreation path, Amtrak Train Station, a boat launch, and two marinas with a total of over 200 slips. Its amenities include a newly paved parking lot with 341 spaces, lighting and landscaping, sewer and storm water infrastructure on site, and power on site.

Deadline for RFPs is June 10.