October 2023
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Philanthropy Charitable Foundation Continues Tradition of Community Support
Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity Corporate Build
Farmington, CT – The KBE Foundation continued its mission of community support this past summer, from baiting hooks at the Special Olympics fishing derby to dishing BBQ lunch to veterans and their families to swinging hammers for Habitat for Humanity.
The KBE Foundation is a registered nonprofit charitable organization established in affiliation with the KBE Building Corporation to continue KBE’s long history of philanthropic giving. The foundation provides financial support and volunteer staff for charitable events throughout the year. To date, KBE’s
5 Strategies for Navigating Uncertain Times continued from page 42 2. Focus on valuations. Accurate valuations are critical not only for construction projects but also for equipment. Contractors making equipment purchases must contend with rising inflation, supply chain delays and fluctuating conversion rates. Careful review of all contracts and close collaboration with brokers can help ensure that valuations and associated insurance coverages remain accurate. This is most effective when viewed in real time: i.e., when equipment is being considered for purchase, and at a minimum annually, prior to renewal. 3. Attract and retain your workforce. Consider offering cost-effective benefits that can help attract and retain workers. While competitive pay remains crucial, health plans and financial wellness programs may be particularly appealing to the younger generation of workers. Employers should work closely with their brokers and take a deeper dive into the demographics of their workforces; the traditional “one size-fits-all” approach is no longer in play; a solid demographic analysis will identify gaps in a program which support a more diverse workforce in addition to addressing the needs of an employee population. 4. Consider 3-D printed materials. 3D
printing technology is playing a pivotal role in manufacturing pre-fabricated components for buildings, bridges and highways, offering the potential to save up to 70% in construction time and 80% in labor costs. 5. Choose the right partner. Collaborate with a knowledgeable broker who understands your specific needs and can assist in developing a robust risk mitigation strategy. Such a strategy should help secure the best coverage options while reducing the overall cost of risk. There is no doubt the construction industry faces a complex, changing landscape characterized by inflation, supply chain disruptions, a shortage in expertise, and economic uncertainty. Contractors must proactively adapt their strategies to successfully navigate these challenges by prioritizing risk management, demonstrating their reliability to insurers, ensuring accurate valuations, addressing workforce needs and partnering with knowledgeable experts. By enhancing their resilience, construction firms can thrive — yes, even in these challenging times. Carmine Cimetti is vice president in the construction specialty group at insurance bro erage ub nternational e England.
Special Olympics Fishing Tournament
charitable focus has provided more than $4 million in community support since 2009. The foundation’s latest endeavors include a corporate build for the Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics annual Unified Fishing Tournament, and its annual Veterans Lunch at the Connecticut VA Medical Center. For the Habitat project, a team of seven KBE Building Corporation staff joined with a Habitat leader on July 20 to help build out the lower level of a 2-story home in Hartford. The Habitat program engages families in need of housing to provide “sweat equity” in the construction of a family home and relies on volunteer support to help fund and provide construction services for each project. In August, a group of 15 KBE
staff and their families headed to the Farmington Polo Grounds in Farmington to support the Special Olympics Unified Fishing Tournament. KBE was the founding sponsor for the event, now in its sixth year. The fishing tournament draws Special Olympians from around the country. The KBE team was on hand once again to work with the athletes on all aspects of fishing, from baiting hooks to shouting encouragement when someone hooks a fish. In September, the foundation continued its tradition of serving lunch to veterans and their families, along with staff, at the state-run Veterans Center in Newington. At its fourth annual event on Sept. 21, KBE volunteers served over 200 veterans and their family members and facilities staff with a lunch catered by Mission BBQ.
Veteran’s Center Mission BB Lunch
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