Weekly Briefing: October 31, 2025
- Socially Adept Solutions
- Oct 31
- 4 min read
Week of October 24, 2025
Michigan’s Transportation and Infrastructure to Receive $2B From New Fuel Tax
Michigan will replace its 6% fuel sales tax with a 51¢-per-gallon, inflation-indexed excise tax starting Jan. 1, 2026, under a four-bill package Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed in early October 2025 (Public Acts 17–20).
The change dedicates portions of every dollar paid at the pump to the Michigan Transportation Fund for road, bridge and transit work, ending the prior diversions of fuel sales-tax revenue to schools and local revenue sharing.
The administration projects about $2 billion in additional annual transportation funding once fully implemented, with roughly 60% directed to state-managed projects and 40% distributed to county and municipal road agencies under Act 51.
Education groups objected to the redirecting of sales-tax revenue away from K-12, while officials plan rulemaking by early 2026 for quarterly inflation adjustments with higher construction lettings expected to begin with the FY2027 capital cycle.
US, Japan Agreement to Invest $550B into US Energy, LNG, and Critical Minerals
The U.S. and Japan signed an agreement to implement Japan’s $550 billion investment package in the U.S., targeting energy infrastructure, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG), and critical minerals supply chains.
The agreement is framed as strengthening economic security and promoting economic growth, while advancing cooperation on energy infrastructure/LNG and critical minerals supply chains.
The agreement identifies U.S. LNG as a near-term area of cooperation, noting preliminary Alaska LNG deals by Tokyo Gas and JERA with officials highlighting LNG infrastructure and supply as part of the agreement.
Alongside LNG, the leaders signed a critical minerals and rare earths framework to strengthen supply chains through coordinated investments and policy tools, including a Rapid Response Group, project identification to address gaps, and consideration of complementary stockpiling using existing national systems.
October 22, 2025
CivilOne, a Nevada-based civil engineering and surveying firm, has acquired Baughman & Turner, a Nevada-based civil engineering, surveying, and land development services firm. This strategic move expands CivilOne’s offerings and strengthens its presence in Nevada. James Bristow, CEO of CivilOne, commented, "Baughman & Turner has built a legacy reputation as a trusted, local civil engineering firm, recognized for its expertise in community infrastructure design and development. We’re excited to build upon that legacy, integrating their operations with ours, strengthening our market position and elevating the value we bring to our clients."
October 28, 2025
Osmose Utilities Services (Osmose), a Georgia-based technical services provider for both the telecom and electric utilities sectors, backed by EQT Partners, has acquired Centillion Solutions (Centillion), a Georgia-based engineering and software development company that specializes in the telecom and utilities sectors. By utilizing Centillion’s expertise, Osmose enhances its service offerings while increasing the scalability and speed of project delivery. "The addition of Centillion expands Osmose's ability to deliver a complete, end-to-end fiber engineering solution providing customers with one trusted partner for planning, design, and delivery at scale," stated Mike Adams, CEO of Osmose. "Their strong approach to quality, innovation and operational excellence make them a great fit for Osmose."
October 28, 2025
Salas O’Brien, a California-based employee-owned engineering and facility planning firm backed by Blackstone, has merged with M/E Engineering, a New York-based mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design engineering and technology services firm. This strategic move strengthens Salas O’Brien’s offerings in New York and the firm’s ability to deliver solutions to the healthcare, education, government, and commercial sectors. Darin Anderson, Chairman and CEO of Salas O’Brien, stated, “Welcoming M/E Engineering to Salas O’Brien is another exciting step in our mission to create the most agile, connected team of engineering and technical experts in the world. Their proven leadership across New York enhances Salas O’Brien’s ability to serve clients locally and globally with the same collaborative care that defines both our organizations.”
October 28, 2025
GFL Environmental (GFL), a Canada-based environmental services firm, backed by Apollo Asset Management, has acquired Plummer’s Environmental Services (Plummer’s), a Michigan-based industrial and municipal environmental services firm. By leveraging Plummer’s expertise and services, GFL expands its capabilities in key regions and further establishes its industrial and environmental services platform across North America. Todd Plummer, President of Plummer’s, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for our team and customers… we look forward to joining forces with GFL to continue to grow and serve our customers.”
October 30, 2025
Terraphase Engineering (Terraphase), a California-based environmental, water, compliance, and site engineering services firm, has acquired Eolas Environmental (Eolas), a Connecticut- and Massachusetts-based site investigation and remediation firm. This acquisition enhances Terraphase’s services in site investigation, remediation, and regulatory compliance. Kimberly Walsh, Founder of Eolas, noted, "Joining Terraphase marks an exciting new chapter. Our teams share a deep commitment to scientific excellence, technical integrity, and pragmatic outcomes. By combining Eolas' expertise with Terraphase's broad capabilities, we are expanding our capacity to deliver innovative, data-driven environmental solutions for our clients."
RS&H associates in Jacksonville have spent the past eleven Halloweens engineering custom, wheelchair-adaptive costumes for children from the Jacksonville Center for Independent Living (CIL), turning popular kids’ costumes into full-scale builds. The volunteer effort is funded by the RS&H Elevate Fund and brings together employees and volunteers across disciplines to design, build, and finish the costumes with details and decorations. Organizer and architect Brandon Pourch highlights the collaboration and joy the project brings to both volunteers and families, while CIL continues its mission of empowering more than 1,000 individuals with disabilities each year.
The EFCG Weekly Briefing summarizes the week’s key news in the AEC industry, including M&A updates, and micro- and macro-trends, aggregated from industry-focused and global news sources.
To send any additional press releases or news from your firm that you would like us to share please email Clay Han at chan@efcg.com.