With the start of the second half of 2010, it appears that experts were correct in predicting that recovery from the current recession would be a long, slow climb rather than a quick leap. Declines in project starts, which started four years ago, have created a murky marketplace complete with bidding frenzies, razor-thin profit margins and an unemployment rate over 20%. But, along with the bad, there is some good coming out of the current recession. The editors of Mountain States Construction magazine have compiled a list of 10 things that are getting better in 2010.

Cleveland-based Eaton Corp., an industrial manufacturer, has acquired Denver-based EMC Engineers Inc, an energy engineering and energy services company. EMC Engineers had 2009 sales of $24 million and employs approximately 155 people. The firm has provided energy-efficiency solutions for a wide range of government,

John B. Rogers, co-founder of Denver-based architecture firm RNL, died July 12 at the age of 88 of complications resulting from a long battle with lung disease. Rogers served as president at RNL from 1955 to 1985, chairman of the board from 1985 to 1995 and as a board member from 1995 to 2009. In 2009 he became an

Last week the principals of Denver’s ABS Consultants announced that the 26-year-old consulting engineering firm would close its doors by the end of the summer. Principals say the firm will close because of the current economic situation and the bleak prospects for commercial construction in the near future. The

Mountain States Construction magazine will devote its November issue to the Best Of Awards, highlighting outstanding construction projects in Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The annual Best Of Awards is a competition to determine the best projects completed in these states by local firms involved in any aspect

Project team proposes to build rail lines $300 million under budget, ahead of schedule