Church members say storm water fees may close doors of smaller churches in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Nooga.com
In Chattanooga, Tenn., a few Chattanooga City Council members were concerned that the dozen or more Highway 58 residents who turned out to hear an annexation agreement at the council meeting were under a misapprehension. "This is not a new annexation," Chairwoman Pam Ladd said to the crowd. "This is an agreement of a lawsuit that has been settled."More

Small community makes plans to be sustainable as it grows
WHO-TV
Cumming, Iowa, city planners say they have a ten year plan, and it includes going green. They're challenging the community to become a sustainable city as they grow. The town of Cumming is a short drive from Des Moines down Interstate 35. You can also ride your bike there on the Great Western Trail. Only a few hundred people call it home. Business Owner Ted Lare with Ted Lare Design Build says, "We're a strong, proud 351, but we have big plans."More

Depot work to continue with $380,000 from Washington state
Anacortes American
Funding that should allow the city to complete paving behind the Depot Arts Center - $380,000 - is coming to Anacortes, Washi., from the state, city officials learned. Parks and Recreation Director Gary Robinson said Mayor Dean Maxwell had been speaking with State Sen. Kevin Ranker about funding for the Depot.More

Port of Long Beach, Calif., budget reflects infrastructure projects
Press-Telegram
With replacement of the Gerald Desmond Bridge scheduled to begin later this year, the Harbor Department has proposed a Fiscal Year 2012 budget topping $830 million, up 27 percent from the current fiscal year.More

Hardscaping: Improving the outside of your home
NBC17-TV
Some homeowners are choosing pavers, patios and popular stones to expand their living space outside the home. If one of your home improvement projects includes increasing your curb appeal, then hardscaping may be an option for you. "Hardscaping is a type of landscaping that includes adding hard elements to your landscaping whether it be stones, concrete, pavers or brick," said Angie Hicks from Angie's List.More

2011 ICPI Summer Meeting registration now open
ICPI
This year's ICPI Summer Meeting is scheduled for August 23 - August 27, 2011, and will be held at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. Don't forget passports are required. Since June 1, 2009, everyone from every country arriving in Canada by air, land and sea has needed a passport or equivalent travel document.More

HNA Hardscape Project Awards categories expand for 2011
ICPI
The 4th Annual HNA Hardscape Project Awards expands project categories! Due to growth in so many areas of the hardscape industry the HNA 2011 Steering Special Committee decided it was necessary to expand the categories awarded this year. Some of the changes were made focusing on a better distribution in all categories.More

Canada's economy will see 3.2 percent growth this year: RBC
The Globe and Mail
Canada's economy will grow by 3.2 percent this year, helped by high commodity prices and a continued recovery in the United States, according to the latest outlook from RBC Economics. It expects gross domestic product will grow at a respectable 3.1 percent pace in 2012.More

US housing starts expected to grow slightly
iMarketNews
U.S. Housing Starts for May are expected to remain low, as May floods throughout the South hindered construction and weak economic data pointed to a slowing economic recovery. Tornadoes in the Midwest and flooding in the Mississippi River valley have caused widespread economic problems in their respective regions. More

Obama pushing resurgence of US manufacturing
KOLR-TV
President Obama's pushing a plan to make the U.S. workforce more competitive.
It's part of his focus on the economy - something Republican candidates for the White House are challenging him on. President Obama hopes a trip to a Virginia community college will drive home his message: America needs better-trained workers - to compete in the global economy.More

Canadian dollar declines on federal reserve's outlook for American economy
Bloomberg
Canada's dollar fell after the Federal Reserve said the economy slowed in four of 12 regions of the U.S., the nation's biggest trading partner. The loonie, as the currency is also known for the image of the aquatic bird on the CA$1 coin, dropped earlier as Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said the U.S. recovery is "frustratingly slow." The Canadian currency fell the most against the yen. More