In This Issue... Kickoff Scores Big Cast Your Vote Next Safety Meeting New Task Force In The News Your Inside Scoop                              June 24, 2010 National Utility Contractors Association  of Nebraska  Coming in Sept:   Utility Construction Buyer's Guide    Suppliers: Get a FREE Premium Listing When You Join by July 23    Register here   Taking your chapter's voice to Capitol Hill! Finding Our Voice "Welcome" from Kara Habrock,  Your Chapter President   Ever lost your voice at a particularly inconvenient time?  This happens to me quite often.  The doctor says it's from overuse....but I can't imagine that (wink, wink).   Before last fall, I felt like we underground utility contractors had lost our voice at a particularly tough time in our industry.  And there was a lot we needed to say about infrastructure funding, labor, regulation, and many other things.    In September 2009 a great thing happened - we found our voice.  It wasn't that our own voices got better, but rather we came together as an industry and created a strong collective voice - NUCA of Nebraska.   How are we being heard and who is listening?  Read on. Kickoff  Event  Scores Big View Photos Here  Nebraska's utility construction industry turned out in force May 6 to celebrate the successful launch of your new NUCA chapter.  Photo gallery here.   Chapter leaders greeted the audience with triumphant news.  The chapter's membership has more than tripled to 33 member companies just months after NUCA of Nebraska's incorporation.  Additionally, 5 chapter committees are formed and beginning their activities.  More. Cast Your Vote Which Training Topics Are Most Critical?  Your input will decide classes for Nebraska during 2010-2011.  Help narrow our list of 50 possible classes in utility construction.  Click here to take your survey. Next Safety Committee Meeting July 7 Lonnie Shoup Join Us at United Rentals Omaha Office    We will review survey results and plan upcoming programs. Join us on July 7, 1:30 pm to 3 pm.  Attend via conference call or in person at the Omaha office of United Rentals Trench Safety, 14515 Meadows Blvd. Map.   RSVP by emailing nebraska@nuca.com to receive the agenda.  Lonnie Shoup (pictured) of Horizontal Boring & Tunneling is chairman of the NUCA of Nebraska Safety, Compliance and Training Committee. NEW!  Workforce Development Task Force Come Collaborate With Omaha Officials   Your chapter is forming a special task force of utility contractors.  Initially, this task force will collaborate with Omaha officials to advance workforce development in the region.    Our task force will hold its first meeting with Omaha officials during the week of July 19 - date/time TBD.  More. In The News Nebraska Utility Construction Projects:    Henderson Receives $600,000 in Bonding to Complete Large Sewer Project.  More. $133 Million Needed to Improve Lincoln's Water Distribution.  More.     2 Multi-Million-Dollar Projects Underway in York.  More. Web Links Join NUCA Nebraska Calendar A Committee for You? Join Our Email List!   Our Website About  NUCA of  Nebraska Nebraska's utility construction is our #1 priority.  We're an affilited chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA). Our members provide the materials and workforce that builds and maintains Nebraska's network of water, sewer, gas, telecommunications, and construction site development industries. We've banded together to secure a more favorable regional business climate for our Nebraska members. Join your chapter.   Contact: Kenneth Sommer, Executive Director NUCA of Nebraska Phone: (800) 662-6822 ext. 119 Email: nebraska@nuca.com   Website: www.NUCAnebraska.com