Rogers plans a $10 million utility facility; November work and training

The next Rogers utility project needs a builder before it needs a construction crew. Rogers Water Utilities has set a $10 million construction budget for a new operations facility and is seeking a contractor to help shape the design and delivery. A new state sewer-construction permit also took effect this week, with filing requirements that matter to project schedules.

Below: two trade jobs with posted pay, November business connections, water-industry classes and a fresh look at the practical sessions coming to Bentonville's blacksmithing conference. At home, a small ceiling-fan adjustment can make a heated room more comfortable.

Rogers Water Utilities is seeking a general contractor/construction manager for its planned Field Operations Facility at the Oak Street City Campus. The RFQ sets a $10 million construction budget for offices, workspaces, vehicle and equipment storage, materials storage, parking, paving, drainage and landscaping. Read the utility's RFQ.

The first phase puts the builder alongside the civil, architectural and mechanical/electrical/plumbing design team. Its work includes estimates, constructability reviews and long-lead equipment planning. Construction is anticipated in October 2027, subject to approvals and agreement on price.

For specialty firms, this is a project to follow as the manager and later subcontract packages take shape. The current selection is for the construction manager, not an invitation to bid individual electrical, plumbing or paving packages.

Statements of qualifications are due Monday, November 16, at 4:30 p.m. The utility accepts one PDF by email or on a USB drive under its response instructions. Written questions are due November 4; no required pre-submittal meeting is listed. Official notice and submission instructions.

November 3, 4 p.m.: Rogers lists three Safe Streets and Roads for All consultant opportunities: demonstration-project design and construction engineering/inspection; a US-71B corridor and Railyard Loop Trail undercrossing study; and a high-injury-network lighting, signing and striping study.

These selections will interest transportation, civil-design and inspection firms. They are professional-services requests, with future construction packages separate. Open the city's current bid board.

Arkansas DEQ's ARCC00000 sanitary-sewer construction general permit took effect October 25. It covers eligible collection-system construction, including sewer extensions, force mains, lift stations and pumping stations. The process calls for engineered plans and a Notice of Intent through the state's SEEK system, followed by DEQ's Notice of Coverage.

For schedules, the standard filing lead time is at least 45 days before coverage is desired; designated project-review submissions use a 20-day lead time. The application fee is $500. These are filing requirements, not guaranteed approval dates. Final permit and DEQ application page.

Rogers voters will consider separate bond questions for streets and stormwater, parks, fire, police and animal services, plus refinancing. The proposal would extend the existing 1% sales tax. The city says the refinancing question must pass before the other proposed bond issues can proceed.

The proposed work includes street rehabilitation, downtown brick-street restoration, recreation facilities and public-safety buildings. These are proposed investments contingent on the vote, with individual project timing to follow. The city's bond overview and project details.

Franklin, Springdale: HVAC apprentice, $15-$20 an hour. The employer lists no experience necessary and describes learning alongside experienced technicians. Its available-roles page also lists two weeks of PTO and a 401(k) plan. Read the role and apply.

Beaver Water District, Lowell: Electrical and Instrumentation Supervisor, posted salary range $80,542-$143,186. This role requires a journeyman electrician license and at least 10 years of relevant electrical experience. Work includes power distribution, controls, motors, standby generators and preventive maintenance. Full qualifications and application.

SAU Tech's Arkansas Environmental Training Academy lists November 2-22 online cohorts in Class I Wastewater ($250), Class II ($290), Basic Industrial Wastewater ($260) and Advanced Industrial Wastewater ($360). Those are course fees; licensing exams have a separate application and fee.

For in-person instruction in Lowell, the academy lists Basic Pumps Operation Maintenance November 10, Advanced Pumps Operation & Maintenance November 11 and Chlorine Safety November 12, each with no course fee. AETA's current schedule and registration.

November 4, 8:30-10:15 a.m.: Central Referral Connection. Chamber members and nonmembers can meet at Golden Corral, 2605 W. Pleasant Crossing Drive, Rogers. Bring business cards and a 60-second introduction. Another dated session is listed November 11. November 4 details.

November 10, 8:30-9:30 a.m.: Coffee Connection. Meet local business owners and professionals at The Villas on Turtle Creek, 201 S. 34th Street, Rogers. The Chamber provides coffee and a light breakfast. Event details.

November 12, 8:30-9:30 a.m.: Level Up Local accounting session. Mary Schopp of Bookkeeper Plus covers cash flow, balance sheets, ledgers, payroll and tax reporting at the Rogers Lowell Chamber, 317 W. Walnut Street. Program details.

The November 11-14 blacksmithing conference at Benton County Fairgrounds has published a useful three-part railing program: measuring and design November 12, assembly November 13 and installation November 14, each 2-5 p.m.

For fabricators and people interested in architectural metalwork, that connects the shop process to the field work. Conference admission is ticketed. See the conference program and registration.

Your ceiling fan does not have to sit idle once the heat comes on. ENERGY STAR recommends a low-speed, clockwise setting in winter. That creates a gentle updraft and moves warm air gathered near the ceiling back toward the occupied part of the room.

Start with the fan's normal controls and its instructions. A wall control, remote or reversing switch may handle the change; the method varies by fan. For a physical reversing switch, turn the fan off and let the blades stop before changing it. Then restart at low speed and check the direction from below.

The goal is gentle circulation, not a strong breeze across the couch. If the fan makes you feel chilly, lower the speed or turn it off. Switch it off when the room is empty, too. ENERGY STAR's fan guidance and Hunter's reversing-control guide.

Know about a trade class, an open job or a local project milestone? Reply with the details. Useful local information gets better when the people doing the work contribute to it.

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Levi Pittenger
Publisher, The NWA Trade Guide

Publisher affiliations: Comfort Control and Ambassador Home Maintenance.