South Jersey BIZ - Issue #4 (April 2024)

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SJ Biz 424 Construction_Layout 1 4 / 8 / 24 3 : 08 PM Page 2 continually endeavor to be at the forefront for LEED [ Leadership in Energy and En - holistically elevate an industry . The skilled of oncoming trends and give their clients vironmental Design ] certification . Plus , workers operating sophisticated , heavy what they want while “ actively seeking Blue Rock is noticing a trend toward construction machinery are “ pretty much innovative and consolidated solutions mixed - use developments that integrate working hand in hand with contractors ” to overcome these challenges and thrive residential , commercial and retail spaces . and others on - site , according to Greg in this dynamic environment , ” according New technology and innovative building Lalevee , business manager of the Inter - to Blue Rock Construction Executive techniques have also become more national Union of Operating Engineers Vice President Kevin Kelly . widespread , leading to more efficient Local 825 , which represents thousands “ Navigating this environment as a and cost - effective construction processes . of highly trained and experienced heavy - team has proved very effective to minimize Overall , the current focus is on creating equipment operators , mechanics and delay and cost , ” Kelly continues . “ Com - versatile and environmentally friendly surveyors whose work area spans New pared to previous years , South Jersey structures that align with the evolving Jersey and even extends into New York . has undergone significant changes . At needs of the community . ” As the union’s work is deeply inter - Blue Rock , there is now a strong focus The inherent connectivity of the re - twined with regional needs , Lalevee em - on sustainable and energy - efficient build - gion’s robust business landscape neces - phasizes how crucial it is to keep those ing practices , with an increased use of sitates an array of specialists and experts lines of communication open and con - green construction materials and a push all contributing their time and talent to versations going so that everyone can SouthJerseyBiz.net | VOLUME 14 ISSUE 4 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | 23

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SJ Biz 424 Construction_Layout 1 4 / 8 / 24 3 : 08 PM Page 3 BUILDING TOWARD THEFUTURE be fully apprised of what construction and business needs they can anticipate meeting . “ For a construction union , a thriving economy is key to our success , ” he notes , adding that the nature of the industry in - sulates itself from the immediate impacts of a bumpy economic scenario but also comes with the risk of a delayed normal - ization once the region begins to course - correct . “ Construction is always the odd thing , because construction as an industry is always the last thing to slow down when an economy does : Back in 2008 and ‘ 09 , when we had the Great Recession , we kept going until 2010 ! But when the economy turns around , it takes us nine to 12 months [ to stabilize ] because com - panies are restaffing , assessing building needs and getting back on their feet . Not until they’re fully back to where they were before an economic downturn do they entertain construction needs , or consider infrastructure as a full thought , so we try to stay close to the business community just to assess what the needs are in every region . ” Young Yoon , Esq , counsel , construction and procurement , at law firm Parker McCay adds that challenging times un - derscore the importance of building a strong team of trusted advisors who can help shoulder some of the burden while simultaneously clearing the way for tapping into emerging industries with as much mutual benefit as possible . Specific to construction’s role in helping the nascent cannabis industry first find its footing and then establish itself as an important revenue niche , it can be dizzy - ingly complex knowing how to proceed without running afoul of the tricky legal parameters that come with expanding a locally legal industry that national partners and even some stateside ones aren’t al - ways receptive to . As the growing pains of New Jersey’s cannabiz market continue to be ironed out two years after the in - troduction of adult - use recreational mar - ijuana , having sound legal guidance helps ensure that projects stay on the right side of regulatory standards . “ Our construction team handles every aspect from pre - construction drafting to post - construction litigation , ” Yoon says . “ We prioritize avoiding litigation and offer risk management counsel . To that end , we assist in review of bid documen - tation , contract preparation , pre - claim assistance , handling contract disputes , partnership formation , and other aspects 24 | SOUTH JERSEY BIZ | VOLUME 14 ISSUE 4 | SouthJerseyBiz.net

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