Latest news with #CUI
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
What do theatre camp and Alcoholics Anonymous have in common? They're both happening in church basements
Social Sharing As church membership across the country declines, faith spaces in London are finding new ways to keep their lights on while also asserting themselves as important landmarks in the community. A study from the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) found that one-third of Canada's 27,000 faith spaces are expected to close this decade, which the institute says will leave a gap in neighbourhoods that hurts both religious and secular communities. "[Churches] play a really important role as a civic function," CUI president Mary Rowe told CBC's London Morning on Wednesday. "They're where community meetings happen and cultural events happen. All sorts of different kinds of civic uses have taken place in church properties for years." "Even if the congregations can no longer afford to sustain, financially or physically, the actual function of the church, we don't want to lose those civic spaces," she said. The CUI study found that beyond worship, Canadian churches are also home to non-profit organizations, community kitchens and food pantries. 84 per cent of the 900 non-profits that use churches in southern Ontario have no alternative places to go, the study found. On Wednesday, Colborne Street United Church near London's downtown core was home to a children's theatre camp, Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and church-run women's social group. "It's partly to be part of the community. It's a place for people to come together and do what they would like to do," said church office manager Norma-Jean Greenslade. However, Greenslade said opening up the space to external organizations is also a way for the church to make money and use vacant space as membership dwindles. "Majority of churches are having a decline in congregations, which also means a decline in income from donations," Greenslade said. "Having the available space during the week helps us to be able to keep our doors open." Cheap rent, close proximity to neighbourhood essentials London-Middlesex Ontario Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most frequent users of southwestern Ontario churches, with about 60 groups who meet several times a week, the organization said. Great Big Theatre Company, a non-denominational non-profit organization, is hosting all of its Ontario summer camps in churches this year. "We really like the big space. We have a bunch of different rooms and a gym to host our big show at the end of the week," said camp counselor Jadeyn Lawrence, who is teaching the camp at Colborne Street United Church. "It's also downtown so it's very accessible for public transit … [and] it is really close to parks, so we can go for a walk when we need a break." Greenslade agreed that part of the appeal for community groups to meet within a church is its proximity to other neighbourhood essentials, as well as the low cost to rent a room. "We just have a flat rate, and we negotiate with each group that comes in and we meet them where they're at," Greenslade said, adding that the church is also the home of a nursery school and quilters group. The CUI study found other ways Canadian churches have converted their buildings include opening concert spaces, adding art exhibits and building a rock climbing wall. London's oldest church, St. Paul's Cathedral, recently completed major renovations to turn itself into a downtown music and arts centre. The Diocese of London said that while none of their churches are currently at risk of closing, they do support groups who want to rent space, including the Alzheimer's Society, a seniors exercise group and dance classes. 'You never get the community space back' It's important for churches to adapt early, Rowe said, because if not, they're at risk of being gone forever. "In hot real estate markets, a church building will be seen as prime real estate to redevelop into luxury housing. You never get the community space back when that happens," she said. "In less active real estate markets … when there's no resources to redevelop, you lose churches to neglect." "The argument we're making is that these are assets and they need to be repurposed in thoughtful and imaginative ways because if they're not, they'll be torn down," she said. Greenslade said the future of churches in Canada hinges on their ability to adapt.
Business Journals
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Here's how Houston's energy future is reaching new heights (literally)
Suspended safely hundreds of feet in the air, a specialized services technician carefully maneuvers along the exterior of a massive storage tank within one of Houston's sprawling industrial complexes. With precision and confidence, the technician safely conducts a critical inspection that would have traditionally required significant production downtime and substantially higher costs. This is rope access in action — a method that's changing how energy and petrochemical facilities handle maintenance, repairs, and inspections in hard-to-reach places. Rope access is a method of working at height that uses ropes and specialized equipment to reach difficult-to-access locations without the need for traditional access methods like scaffolding or cranes. Many rope access providers also cross-train skilled craftspeople such as welders, pipefitters, and ironworkers in rope access techniques. expand Overcoming access challenges For Houston's energy sector, every second of downtime can affect the bottom line. Rope access offers several practical benefits that extend beyond simply reaching elevated or confined spaces: Cost efficiency: By reducing the need for extensive scaffolding or heavy lift equipment, rope access can minimize associated costs and production downtime. For facilities along the Gulf Coast, these savings can be substantial. Safety advantages: With lower risk compared to some traditional access methods, reduced workplace congestion, and minimal equipment footprint, rope access can improve overall job site safety when properly implemented. Operational versatility: Rope access works well for accessing complex structures and confined spaces across industries critical to Texas, including petrochemical, power generation, and LNG. The method also adapts to various weather conditions. Delivering results at height Turner Specialty Services' (TSS') rope access group is the largest and most experienced on the Gulf Coast. Their craft-certified rope access technicians offer a vast array of mechanical capabilities, including pipefitting, boilermaking, welding, ironwork, electrical and instrumentation installations, valve maintenance, rigging, and more. Beyond mechanical tasks, they also provide complete inspection services, from advanced NDE and CUI program management to ultrasonic thickness testing and API/AWS inspections. expand TSS' expertise is demonstrated by a portfolio of successful projects in Texas and across the Gulf Coast: Facility demolition and repair: At a Texas chemical plant, TSS completed heavy mechanical work, including demolishing 200 feet of steam line and conducting external inspections and welding repairs, all without incident. Emergency infrastructure repair: A four-person TSS rope access team performed a temporary repair on a massive storage dome, installing over 500 concrete anchors to prevent further damage from high winds. Large-scale construction support: During the construction of a new polyethylene plant in the region, a team of 22 multi-crafted TSS rope access technicians completed 100,000 work hours with zero recordables, performing fabrication, structural installations, and cable tray work. Specialized remediation: At a Louisiana refinery, TSS rope access technicians safely removed over 100,000 pounds of deteriorating fireproofing material from structures in an active process unit. Elevating industry standards As facilities continue to seek more efficient and safer ways to maintain their critical infrastructure, rope access services offer a solution that combines cost savings, safety, and quality. For more information on Turner Specialty Services' rope access capabilities, visit
Observer
27-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
OTTCO named champion for green ammonia storage in Oman
MUSCAT, JULY 27 Oman Tank Terminal Company (OTTCO), a subsidiary of OQ – the Omani government–owned integrated energy company – has been designated as a 'National Champion' for central green ammonia storage. This designation, announced by Hydrom – the master planner of Oman's green hydrogen sector – places OTTCO among a select group of predominantly state-owned utilities and energy companies tasked with developing and operating shared infrastructure, also known as Common User Infrastructure (CUI), to support the country's emerging gigawatt-scale green molecules industry. Confirmation of OTTCO's new status came in a recent interview given by Eng. Abdulaziz al Shidhani, Managing Director of Hydrom, to The Energy Oman. Highlighting Hydrom's pivotal role in advancing the Sultanate's green hydrogen ambitions, he noted: 'We advise the government on policies and regulations to support a robust and investment-friendly framework. We lead auction processes and manage contracts. In parallel, we also serve as custodians of the Green Hydrogen Strategy, overseeing land master planning and the sector's long-term vision. Once projects are awarded, developers take the lead on execution, while we ensure coordination—especially for shared infrastructure. To do that, we work closely with 'National Champions'—key public and private entities entrusted with specific responsibilities across the hydrogen value chain. OQ Alternative Energy leads investment. Nama Water Services oversees water and power. OQ Gas Networks is responsible for gas transport. Oman Electricity Transmission Company manages power transmission. Most recently, Oman Tank Terminal Company was named National Champion for central green ammonia storage,' he added. The move underscores the growing importance of green ammonia as both a versatile carrier of green hydrogen and a low-carbon fuel, particularly for hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Produced from renewable hydrogen and nitrogen, green ammonia (NH₃) is safer and more efficient to store and transport than pure hydrogen. It can also be used directly as a carbon-free fuel in shipping, power generation, and possibly industrial heating, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels. The maritime sector, in particular, is showing strong interest in ammonia as a zero-carbon bunker fuel, while green ammonia also provides a cleaner substitute for the global fertilizer industry, which is a significant source of CO₂ emissions. OTTCO's designation expands its mandate beyond crude oil and fossil fuel-based storage and logistics into the realm of green molecules. Its flagship facility at Ras Markaz, spanning 40 square kilometres, currently offers 17.5 million barrels of storage capacity, with plans to scale up to a world-class 200 million barrels. The site also serves as a strategic hub for imported crude feeding the Duqm Refinery, located approximately 80 kilometres away. According to OTTCO CEO Eng. Salem bin Marhoon al Hashmi, a recent strategic agreement between parent group OQ and Dutch liquid logistics giant Vopak aims to position Duqm as a global storage hub not only for fossil fuels, but also for green molecules such as green ammonia. Several preliminary studies have already been completed to establish advanced infrastructure for the storage, handling, and export of green ammonia. OTTCO is also developing a shared smart storage infrastructure and seeking global partnerships to enable knowledge exchange and accelerate development. Last week, Mohsin bin Hamad al Hadhrami, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Minerals, accompanied Ashraf bin Hamad al Mamari, OQ Group CEO, on a visit to Ras Markaz and other facilities in Duqm. The visit aimed to highlight OTTCO's operations and future plans.
Malaysian Reserve
24-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
GRS Technology Solutions Achieves CMMC Level 2 Certification with A-LIGN, Reinforcing Its Role as a Trusted Partner for Federal Cybersecurity Compliance
WASHINGTON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GRS Technology Solutions, a trusted IT, cybersecurity, and compliance provider dedicated to protecting federal contractors and their missions, proudly announces that it has successfully achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, following a rigorous third-party assessment conducted by A-LIGN, a leading C3PAO. This significant milestone positions GRS among a select group of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) certified to meet the Department of Defense's cybersecurity requirements for handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The certification reflects GRS's commitment to implementing mature, repeatable security practices that meet the 110 controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2. GRS is also a Registered Provider Organization (RPO), recognized by the Cyber AB for its ability to deliver consulting services aligned with the CMMC framework. 'We've always prioritized security and compliance internally and for our clients. Achieving CMMC Level 2 is a testament to the systems, processes, and culture of cybersecurity we've built over the years,' said Larry Burbano, CEO of GRS. 'This certification not only reinforces our credibility, but it also enables us to better support federal contractors who are navigating their own CMMC journey.' Throughout this journey, we put in countless late nights to develop a detailed Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM) that clearly outlines ownership and responsibility for each assessment objective. It's designed to ensure mutual accountability. Our clients can hold us accountable, and we can do the same in return. What This Means for Clients: End-to-End Confidence: GRS applies the same high standards of security and compliance to your environment as we do to our own – whether you're using Windows or macOS systems. Certified Expertise: With Certified CMMC Assessors (CCAs) and Certified CMMC Professionals (CCPs) on staff, GRS brings deep, in-house expertise to every stage of your compliance journey. From gap assessments and remediation to full audit readiness. We don't just prepare you for the assessment; we sit at the table and represent you when it matters most. Ownership: We take full ownership of the CMMC journey alongside our clients. From advising and implementing to managing and supporting each control and assessment objective, we move with purpose – and expect you to keep pace. Think of us as your personal CMMC trainer, keeping you on track every step of the way. A Competitive Edge for Clients: Partnering with a CMMC-certified MSP/MSSP gives federal contractors a clear advantage in achieving CMMC compliance and strengthening their position to win federal contracts. About GRS Technology Solutions: GRS Technology Solutions isn't your typical Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). We're built differently. We are a team of A+ players driven by a clear mission: to deliver excellence without compromise. At GRS, mediocrity has no place. We don't chase volume; we focus on impact. Our clients are federal contractors who demand precision, reliability, and results, and that's exactly what we deliver. With years of proven experience and deep expertise in the Defense Industrial Base, we provide fully managed IT services, cutting-edge FedRAMP-approved cybersecurity solutions, and hands-on CMMC implementation support. If you're looking for a partner who plays at the highest level, you've just found one. Whether you're preparing for CMMC L1/L2, facing a DIBCAC audit, navigating DFARS and NIST 800-171 requirements, or modernizing legacy systems, GRS is the trusted partner devoted to protecting your mission, your data, and your future. For more information visit
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
By Light Achieves CMMC-Level 2 Certification
- By Light Achieves CMMC Level 2 Certification, Strengthening Commitment to Cybersecurity for DoD and Federal Customers - MCLEAN, Va., July 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — By Light Professional IT Services LLC (By Light) is proud to announce that it has been officially appraised at Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, demonstrating the company's deep commitment to safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and meeting the cybersecurity requirements of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). CMMC Level 2 represents a critical milestone for defense contractors, requiring the implementation of 110 security practices aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-171. By Light's successful appraisal underscores its operational readiness and adherence to stringent security standards across its internal systems, processes, and partner networks. This certification further positions By Light as a trusted provider of secure digital transformation services for the federal government, including cyber operations, DevSecOps, and Zero Trust implementations. The CMMC Level 2 appraisal was conducted by a CMMC Third Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) and is valid for three years. By Light continues to invest in comprehensive cybersecurity governance across its classified and unclassified offerings and remains committed to continuous improvement as CMMC evolves in future phases. About By Light: By Light Professional IT Services LLC is an ISO 9001, 20000-1, and 27001 registered and CMMI-Dev Level 3 rated systems engineering company that provides secure turnkey systems by incorporating exceptional engineering, project management, telecommunications, and cyber capabilities to safeguard mission success. Founded by industry professionals with extensive knowledge in DoD, DISA, and other U.S. Government agencies, By Light successfully implements technical solutions that integrate commercial best practices to meet the needs of the government. For more information, visit LOGO link for media: NEWS SOURCE: By Light Professional IT Services Keywords: Cyber Security and Infosec, By Light Professional IT Services LLC, DoD and Federal Customers, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification CMMC, Military, Defense, Government, Armed Forces, MCLEAN, Va. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (By Light Professional IT Services) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P127758 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
