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February 1, 2017 • Vol. XXX • No. 3 • 470 Maryland Drive • Ft. Washington, PA 19034 • 215-885-2900 • Toll Free 800-523-2200 • Fax 215-885-2910
Inside
Putnam County, Fla., Invests in New Machines…8
Museum to Bolster Nashville’s Booming Tourism Industry
AED Brings Construction Industry Together…12
Business Leaders to S.C. Legislators: ‘Finish the Job’ COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Business leaders are again pushing the Legislature to fix South Carolina’s crumbling roads, saying it’s time to “finish the job’’ by passing a long-term funding solution or risk losing jobs to other states. The state chamber of commerce praised House leaders’ latest plan, introduced Wednesday, estimated to pump an extra $600 million annually into roadwork once it’s fully phased in over five years. A Senate proposal, pre-filed last month, would raise an estimated $800 million annually after a three-year phase-in. Chamber members said they support either amount and leave the details to lawmakers, as long as the result is a reliable, consistent stream of money. The business group has long called for at least $600 million extra annually. “If you do any less than that, you’re not making the system any better. You’re just maintaining the current decay of the system,’’ Ted Pitts, the chamber’s president and CEO, told The Associated Press. While Pitts applauded road-funding laws passed last year and in 2013 as a start, another borrowing bill won’t cut it, he said. see FUNDING page 72
Ascendum Refurbishes Volvo Machines…30
Table of Contents................ 4 Truck & Trailer Section........ ...................................... 31-34 Attachment & Parts Section ...................................... 35-41 Recycling Section........ 47-59 Auction Section............ 78-85 Business Calendar............ 83 Advertisers Index.............. 86
By Cindy Riley
Described as a state-of-the-art educational asset, the new Tennessee State Museum will offer impressive views of the state CEG CORRESPONDENT capitol and the Nashville skyline when it opens in fall 2018. The $160 million, 130,000 sq. ft. (12,077 sq m) facility is currently under construction at the corner of Rosa Parks Boulevard and Jefferson Street, replacing an aging facility. “The museum hosts an average of 115,000 visitors each year and is an important educational tool for students and teachers from across the state,” said Steve Curtis, project executive, Compass Partners LLC. “The current space wasn’t intended to be the museum’s permanent home, and more than three decades later, it’s outdated and antiquated. Over the years, several plans were considered for a new museum but didn’t develop due to cost and budget constraints, so Governor Bill Haslam created a task force to recommend a plan that would work.” In 2015, Gov. Haslam and the Tennessee General Assembly approved a total of $120 million to build the new museum to highlight the state’s history. An additional $40 million is being raised in private funds. The new museum will showcase unique artifacts and art and historical documents in an interactive fashion. Featuring art, music, videos and touch screens, the two-story structure will offer a wide range of multi-media presentations, as well as the latest in technology. see MUSEUM page 82
ELFA Names Top Acquisition Trends The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) which represents the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, revealed its Top 10 Equipment Acquisition Trends for 2017. Given U.S. businesses, nonprofits and government agencies will spend more than $1.5 trillion in capital goods or fixed business investment (including software) this year, financing a majority of those assets, these trends impact a significant portion of the U.S. economy. Businesses will find positive momentum for equipment investment as the changing economic and regulatory environment contributes to improved business conditions. ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta said, “Equipment acquisition continues to drive the supply see ELFA page 68