From the President
2009 is now behind us and though it was a tumultuous year, we at OMNNI were able to work on some exciting projects that continue to transform our communities.
On Oct 31st, the new College Avenue Bridge opened to traffic. The new 10-span bridge and associated roadways provide a safe and aesthetically-pleasing entrance into downtown Appleton and will serve the community for many years to come.
In collaboration with Fond du Lac County Airport, we were able to help fulfill their dream of a new terminal building. The new facility opened in June, just in time to prepare for the EAA AirVenture Fly-in, and provides a welcoming space for visitors and all the necessary amenities to safely and effectively run the airport.
In addition, we continue to help communities enhance the infrastructure through innovative engineering designs, rehabilitation and reconstruction.
2010 is bringing economic recovery. The recession has affected us all, and while the federal-stimulus monies have helped reduce the impact, recovery will continue to be slow. With this recovery comes new challenges and I firmly believe that each new challenge will open up more opportunities for all of us.
What are some of the opportunities that exist to help prepare us for recovery?
Fine-tune your Business Strategy. Now is the time to make adjustments to your business plan so that you can react quickly and decisively to new project opportunities. Try not to overreact to what the market is doing but make revisions to your strategy as needed to fund projects and help sustain growth. Many organizations have downsized significantly. Rather than hiring extra bodies, consider outsourcing.
Plan for Additional Stimulus Money. Start planning on how you can take advantage of the second phase of the government stimulus package. Have you identified eligible projects? Do you need to begin the design process? Have you contacted your state and federal representatives to begin the process?
Take Advantage of the Favorable Bidding Environment. When planning and budgeting for upcoming work, take advantage of the current bidding environment which can provide you with more competition and better prices.
Build upon your Public/Private Sector Relationships. With extremely tight budgets and reduced staffing, collaboration between the public and private sector on design and construction projects creates a win-win situation for all.
Recovery won’t be easy for any of us, but we continue to be optimistic and assured that we will come out of this a stronger company. And as always, we thank you for your support and friendship and we vow to continue to deliver the same exceptional service and build upon the trust that OMNNI has earned for over 40 years.
Sincerely,
Phil Ramlet, P.E.
President