Latest news with #Advancement
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Rural-focused organization launches effort to address infrastructure needs in rural WA
(Getty Images) A rural town in southeastern Washington has been selected to take part in a new pilot project to address critical water infrastructure needs. 'We're losing gallons of water from pipe leaks,' said Charles Hill, city council member in Starbuck. With an aging population and limited revenue, Starbuck – a town of fewer than 200 people along the Tucannon River in Columbia County – faces mounting infrastructure challenges, particularly in its water and sewer systems. Jody Opheim, executive director of Partners for Rural Washington, a nonprofit that supports rural communities across the state, said the pilot project, called 'Rural Opportunity, Advancement, and Resilience,' will help Starbuck and eight other rural towns secure funding and technical assistance for critical improvements. Palouse, another eastern Washington town, also has been selected to complete a comprehensive upgrade to its wastewater system. Opheim estimates at least 24 months of completion for most of the projects. 'We're looking at different ways of financing these projects, beyond the big federal dollars,' Opheim said. Opheim said they are working alongside the Washington Department of Commerce, Association of Washington Cities, Washington State University Extension and the Washington U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development office to help meet the rural towns' needs. She emphasized that while participation doesn't come with guaranteed funding, each community will receive expert and technical support at no cost. 'Our project managers will herd this process, manage this process, do follow up, make connections, facilitate and then where there isn't other technical assistance available to look for funding sources,' Opheim said. 'This is very much a group effort. It's a big lift, but we've got lots of good core partners and affiliates that we will bring to that community table.' Staci Nelson, grant services director for the nonprofit, said the group has worked with Starbuck before and identified the water system as a top concern. She explained the town has two water tanks, one built in 1965 and the other in 1986, which are where their drinking water comes from. 'They need to have the interior of their water tanks re-coated and so we're going through that process of helping to try and find some resources for them,' Nelson said. 'And in addition to the water tanks, they have pipes that need to be replaced due to their leaking.' Hill said the rural town has lost more than 12 million gallons of water in the last year because of the leaks in the pipes. He expects that number to increase as pipe leaks continue. He also noted that one of Starbuck's wells has stopped functioning. 'We do hear from people that there's pieces of metal, you know, rustic pipe in their water downstream of where some of these leaks are, because the pipes are completely corroded,' Hill said. 'I've also seen it in some of my water here.' 'It has been an emergency,' he said. He said that many wheat farmers rely on the town's water system to care for their livestock, irrigate crops, and water orchards – further stressing the need for immediate action. 'There are a lot of people, a lot of farmers, that use the water in town for their cows,' Hill said. Nelson said Palouse, a town of about 1,000 residents, is facing similar major water quality upgrades to its wastewater system – a project estimated to cost $23 million. The cost is largely due to the town's proximity to the Palouse River, where any water quality issue could lead to contamination, she said. The project has a 2030 completion deadline. Tim Sievers, mayor of Palouse, said the town needs to meet regulations regarding their wastewater discharge. Palouse's clean effluent flows into the Palouse River, but the temperature is too high during certain periods of the year, which causes environmental implications for the river ecosystem, he said. 'Secondarily, we have a regulation coming down with our 2030 permit about the levels of dissolved organic nitrogen that is in our effluent. So we're taking steps to address those concerns from our environmental regulators,' Sievers added. Critical rural infrastructure upgrades often are overlooked, Nelson said. 'For us to be able to continue to support those smaller communities, it makes the entire part of Eastern Washington, as well as the state of Washington more successful,' Nelson said. Sievers said the partnership for Palouse will be an important step forward in continuing to grow the rural town. Hill said they are optimistic and hopeful working with the nonprofit, after years off feeling the town has been 'left out' of community development needs. 'Many of us wear multiple hats. One of our farmers volunteers his tractor to cut and dig up the ground to replace a pipe. I've been on the council for a little over two years now and I don't get paid. I mean it's all volunteer work,' Hill said. 'We need help.' This article was first published by The Spokesman-Review through the Murrow News Fellow program, managed by Washington State University.
Time Business News
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Why Simultaneous Casing Advancement is Revolutionizing Modern Drilling Projects
The Challenges of Drilling Through Fractured or Unstable Rock Drilling isn't always a walk in the park. When you're battling fractured, loose, or water-logged rock layers, things can go south pretty quickly. Boreholes collapse, equipment gets stuck, and your project timeline goes up in flames. It's messy, costly, and downright frustrating. That's where casing advancing systems steps in like a superhero. With increasing demands for quick turnarounds, safer sites, and tighter budgets in construction, geothermal, and water well projects, finding a better way to drill and case at the same time is not just a luxury—it's a necessity. Simply put, simultaneous casing advancement means you're drilling and installing casing at the same time. Instead of first drilling a hole and then trying to shove casing into an unstable borehole (risking collapse), you drive the casing down with the drill bit leading the way. Traditional methods are sequential—you drill, then case. But with simultaneous casing advancement, it's one fluid motion. Less time, fewer problems, and a whole lot less gray hair. When you cut out the downtime between drilling and casing, you're shaving serious hours, or even days, off your project. In high-stakes construction or geothermal drilling, time is quite literally money. No more risking borehole collapse or having workers scramble to fix dangerous voids. Simultaneous casing advancement keeps the borehole stable from start to finish, protecting both the crew and the project. Fewer accidents, faster drilling, and reduced equipment wear and tear translate into major cost savings. And who doesn't like saving money? Wing King systems feature extendable wings that help anchor the casing as you advance. It's like having a little mechanical arm helping guide and stabilize the casing deeper into the ground. Ring Bit systems involve a specialized bit that allows drilling and casing together, with a casing shoe that remains in the ground or is retrieved, depending on your needs. It's a clean, efficient option especially suited for unstable formations. Your choice between a Wing King or Ring Bit system depends on your ground conditions, project goals, and whether you need the casing to be permanent or retrievable. For skyscrapers and bridges, stable foundations are everything. Simultaneous casing advancement ensures deep, secure pilings without delays caused by unstable ground conditions. Geothermal projects often dig deep into challenging strata. CAS (Casing Advancement Systems) maintain borehole integrity, ensuring a smooth path to the earth's energy-rich core. Before any major project, you need to know what's underground. Using casing advancement makes exploratory drilling quicker, safer, and more reliable. Sometimes you just need the casing temporarily—maybe for site investigations or exploratory drilling. Retrievable casing lets you reuse valuable materials, saving both money and the environment. In other projects like foundation work or water wells, permanent casing provides ongoing support. It's about matching the casing to the life cycle of the project. Choosing between retrievable and permanent systems gives you the flexibility to adapt to different project scopes, budgets, and timelines, setting you up for success every time. Innovative manufacturers like Drill King International have pushed the boundaries, developing advanced casing systems that allow simultaneous drilling and casing up to 36 inches in diameter. That's some serious muscle for big-time projects. Whether it's soft soils or fractured granite, modern casing systems can adjust on the fly, delivering tailored solutions without a hitch. The future is automated. Expect systems with sensors, real-time monitoring, and AI-assisted drilling, reducing human error and boosting precision. Sustainability is the name of the game. Future casing systems will focus on minimizing waste, reducing carbon footprints, and making drilling projects greener. Simultaneous casing advancement is changing the game for modern drilling. Faster, safer, and smarter, this technology is solving problems that have plagued drilling teams for decades. And with innovative leaders like Drill King International pushing the limits of offering the best Down The Hole DTH Drilling solutions, there's no better time to stay updated, upgrade your systems, and embrace the future of drilling. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Michigan tuition sweepstakes gives 10 students chance to win $50,000 for completing FAFSA
Michigan officials launched a "Ticket to Tuition" giveaway April 16 that will give students pursuing higher education the chance to win up to $50,000 to cover education expenses by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The form unlocks both federal and state support for college-bound students, as well as those headed to career schools. The Michigan sweepstakes will give ten students the chance to win $50,000 and 40 students a chance at $10,000. The cash prize will be held in a Michigan Education Savings Program account for winning students to use to pay for a range of education expenses, including tuition, textbooks and room and board. "Filling out the FAFSA makes you eligible for tens of thousands of dollars of in-state and federal scholarships, and with today's sweepstakes, you can earn some extra money, too," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during a launch event at Eastern High School in Lansing. The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential partnered with the Michigan College Access Network — a nonprofit that aims to increase the number of Michigan students that complete college — on the giveaway. Democratic lawmakers in 2024 approved the funds for the incentive program, encouraging students to complete the FAFSA form. The winning funds are already set aside in the current state budget approved in the last legislative session. The funding is one-time, and lawmakers have not decided whether to set aside similar funding again in the next state budget for another sweepstakes in the future. To enter the sweepstakes, Michigan students and parents must create an account on to fill out the FAFSA form and then the student must text "CASH" to 855-50K-TICKET or 855-505-8425. Students who have already completed their FAFSA form can also participate by sending the text message. Students can also mail an entry form available at and send it to: "Ticket to Tuition Entry, c/o Güd Marketing, 1223 Turner Street, Suite 101, Lansing, MI 48906." The deadline to enter is May 16. A random drawing will be conducted in late May. The contest is open to legal U.S. residents living in Michigan who complete the FAFSA form for the first-time to use during the 2025-26 school year. Michigan Education: Preschool is free for all families in Michigan — but many don't know about it Whitmer wants to boost the share of Michigan residents who pursue post-secondary education and skills training and has set a goal of reaching 60% of Michigan adults with a skill certificate or college degree by 2030. That share stands at about 52%, according to the most recent data shared by Whitmer from the Lumina Foundation, whose analysis her administration has used to track progress made toward reaching target. During the sweepstakes launch event, the governor touted the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides financial aid for college and university, and the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship, which provides support for a career training program. Whitmer also championed the Community College Guarantee, which provides a tuition-free path for graduating high school students to attend their local community college. "We don't want any student to leave money on the table," Whitmer said. Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@ or 313-296-5743. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan sweepstakes will award 50 students for FAFSA form
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Whitmer says record pre-K enrollment will save Michigan families $10K per year
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, speaking at Livonia Early Childhood Center, where she announced that Michigan has achieved record PreK enrollment. March 12, 2025. Submitted photo. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says Michigan families will save an estimated $10,000 per year in child care costs after the state achieved record PreK for All enrollment. Whitmer, making the announcement Wednesday at the Livonia Early Childhood Center, said enrollment in the Great Start Readiness Program, or GSRP, the state's primary PreK program, is up 24% since she unveiled the PreK for All initiative in 2023. 'This school year, a record number of children are enrolled in no-cost, high-quality PreK programs across the state, saving Michigan $475 million,' said Whitmer. 'Today, 56% of Michigan's 4-year-olds are enrolled in free preK, and in this year's budget, we can build on this momentum to set up more kids for lifelong success and save even more families more money.' According to a press release from the Governor's office, preliminary reports to the state from intermediate school districts indicate more than 47,500 4-year-olds are enrolled in GSRP programs in the 2024-25 school year. That includes students in Head Start, developmental kindergarten and early childhood special education. In addition to creating a foundation for children to be successful in school and work, a recent analysis by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research found that for every dollar spent on PreK for All, $1.72 in total economic benefits is created in Michigan. Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea is the director of the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, or MiLEAP. 'We know how important early learning experiences are to children's development and success, which is why MiLEAP is working with partners across the state to expand access to PreK for All,' she said. 'PreK not only benefits 4-year-olds, it also benefits our economy as families can work or go to school knowing their children are safe and learning.' Enrollment in PreK for All is now open to all families, no matter their income, for the 2025-26 school year for children who will be 4-years-old by Dec. 1, 2025. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MiLEAP announces grants to support student success
LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential is accepting applications from colleges and universities for the next round of grants aimed at removing barriers to getting an education and improving graduation rates. They are part of a $45 million Student Success initiative, which MiLEAP said in a Friday release is 'the state's largest-ever grant program aimed at increasing student success rates' in higher education. The initiative will help the state achieve its Sixty by 30 goal of 60% of adults with a skill certificate or degree by 2030. 'To achieve Sixty by 30, we are focused on access and student success,' MiLEAP Deputy Director of Higher Education Michelle Richard said in a statement. 'The Student Success Grants encourage colleges to take a deep look at what's working and where they can improve. These grants equip institutions with the necessary funding to expand support services, offer direct assistance and develop innovative approaches to increase student success.' The Student Success Competitive Grant Opportunities guide lays out the different categories of grants that will be available in 2025: barrier removal for students, barrier removal for growing a college's capacity and college success. Applications are due between April and June, depending on what type of grant is being sought. MiLEAP will host online office hours to assist grant applicants every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. starting Feb. 18. Office hours to assist grant recipients will be every Thursday starting on Feb. 20 from noon to 1 p.m. Click here to learn more about the Sixty by 30 grants. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
