|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
January 25, 2021
|
CONNECT WITH OCA
ON SOCIAL MEDIA..... |
  
|
|
 |
Featured Content
|
The Conaway Conference is going virtual and it is shaping up to be a great one. Three half days of great speakers, presentations, educational sessions and industry updates. Because we are going virtual in 2021 there are a number of new opportunities for you to share your message with an anticipated 400+ attendees to this new and engaging event. Logo banners in the virtual lobby and booth space in the live and interactive exhibit hall.
|
|
News |
Scholarship Opportunity - Ohio's 4th Annual Civil Rights Transportation Symposium
Each year during the Civil Rights Transportation Symposium, ODOT awards 3 students a $1000 scholarship. These scholarships are targeted toward students who are enrolled in a post-secondary education institution pursuing a STEM or construction related degree. Students must meet scholarship eligibility requirements to be considered and submit a brief essay describing what impact they foresee technology and innovation having on the transportation industry. Deadline for this scholarship is 11:59pm on February 19, 2021.
The guidelines and application are attached. If you have any questions they can contact [email protected].
Watch Out for Unemployment Benefit Scams
Unemployment benefits fraud is so widespread in Ohio that Gov. Mike DeWine, First Lady Fran DeWine, and Lt. Gov. Jon Husted each had claims falsely filed in their names.
So many false claims have been filed that state officials are now checking on every claim to make sure it is genuine. That often leads to legitimate claims being delayed.
A lot of Ohioans are just now finding out that they have become the victim of identity theft, as they get a 1099 tax form from ODJFS for jobless benefits dishonestly filed for in their name, said ODJFS spokesman Tom Betti.
Scammers employ a variety of techniques to obtain people’s identities and exploit them to wrongly get unemployment benefits, Betti said. In rare cases, he said, thieves even file for benefits using the identities of dead Ohioans, so they can snatch debit cards sent to the mailboxes of the deceased.
Anyone who finds that their name has been used to obtain unemployment benefits should take three steps, Betti said.
First, victims should follow directions enclosed with the 1099 and report the identity theft to ODJFS via the department’s website as soon as possible. That will allow the state to conduct investigations and, if necessary, issue a corrected 1099 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
ODJFS also has a fraud phone line (1-800-686-1555), though the wait times can be extremely long. Fraudulent claims should also be reported by filling out the required form online at the Jobs and Family Services website: Office of Unemployment Insurance Operations | Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Second, victims should file their taxes as they normally would, without factoring in the scam – though they should follow up with ODJFS if they do not get a corrected 1099.
Finally, Ohioans who are scammed should take steps to protect their identity, including those listed on the Ohio attorney general’s website. People who want to see whether they have been victimized can receive a free credit report online, he said.
Ohio Diesel Emission Programs
US EPA has just opened a new grant application opportunity for projects to replace or repower aging diesel on-road vehicles and off-road equipment.
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants Now Open: 2021 Request for Applications Deadline to Apply - March 16, 2021 (11:59 p.m. ET)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is excited to announce the availability of approximately $46 million in Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) grant funds to support projects aimed at reducing emissions from the nation's existing fleet of older diesel engines. Under this competition, between 40 and 70 awards are anticipated.
Eligible Entities
Eligible applicants include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, or port authorities, with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations may apply if they provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleet owners or have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality.
Click to Visit the DERA National Grants Web Page for Application and Eligibility Information
Informational Webinars: Request for Applications
2021 DERA National Grants
Pre-registration is not required for the webinars.
Tuesday, January 26, 2021; 1:00-2:00 p.m. (ET) Join the Webinar
Dial-In: (202) 991-0477
Participant Code: 863 530 573#
Wednesday, February 3, 2021; 3:00-4:00 p.m. (ET) Join the Webinar
Dial-In: (202) 991-0477
Participant Code: 609 539 899#
Thursday, February 11, 2021; 2:00-3:00 p.m. (ET) Join the Webinar
Dial-In: (202) 991-0477
Participant Code: 451 189 144#
Webinar Highlights
·Program Details
·Changes This Year
·Eligible Entities, Projects, Vehicles, Engines & Equipment
·Funding: Availability, Project Funding Percentage, Restrictions
·Proposal Submission ·Evaluation Criteria
·Potential
·Tools, Resources and Support
·Question & Answer Period
If you have questions, please contact [email protected].
OCA Chapter Work Forecast Programs
Upcoming Virtual OCA Chapter programs to feature industry outlook information from local and national presenters and all members are invited.
OCA Chapter Work Forecast Programs will be held virtually this year. This gives members the opportunity to attend chapter programs and access information from around the state without traveling. We are also excited to have some national presenters joining us as some of our featured speakers.
Members are always welcome to attend chapter events outside of their designated chapter, whether in-person or virtual, and we hope to have some new names joining us for our virtual programs! For more information about each chapter Work Forecast program that is currently open for registration, or to register, see below.
Current Chapter Work Forecast Programs open to all members for registration are:
Akron-Canton Chapter – click here for the invitation
Columbus Chapter – click here for the invitation
Cleveland Chapter – click here for the invitation
Dayton Chapter – click here for the invitation
Additional chapter Work Forecast programs will be posted on the OCA website when registration opens. For more information about OCA Chapter events, contact Director of Chapter Development, Melanie Kitchen, by emailing her at [email protected].
Ohio BWC Will Issue Form 1099-G to Employers
The Ohio Bureau of Workers Compensation will begin issuing forms 1099-G to employers who received recent dividend payments intended to help during the COVID-19 pandemic. The forms are being issued because the dividend payments to employers exceed 100% of actual premiums paid. Though BWC anticipates most of the forms will be sent by the end of January, they have applied for an extension through March to avoid late penalties.
The tax implications for employers should be relatively simple. If the employer wrote off premiums in prior tax filings, they will most likely have to declare the dividend payments as income. This article is for information only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice.
Employers are advised to review the BWC 1099-G forms with their tax and/or legal advisors.
ODOT Offering Free Online Unmanned Aircraft Systems Knowledge Course
 |
The number of drones in the United State has exploded in the past decade. Today, 1.7 million drones are registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. However, only about 208,000 pilots are certified to fly them.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is proud to announce FREE e-learning courses that provide the fundamental knowledge needed in preparing for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Remote Pilot Certification Exam.
This is a great place to start for individuals that currently fly as a hobby or would like to fly UAS for work-related applications.
Becoming a certified pilot will provide the knowledge and background needed to safely fly drones and open the door to so many opportunities. UAS remote pilots utilize their skills in performing work such as surveying and inspections of property, roads, bridges, buildings, and telecommunications structures. They can do filmmaking, photography, homeland security, and more!
There are currently job opportunities all over Ohio where companies are looking for UAS pilots to join their team.
Interested persons can access the courses through the Ohio Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) website learning.transportation.ohio.gov.
After completing the FREE e-learning courses, participants will be well prepared to take the certification exam. ODOT is providing this information for individuals and those looking to expand their businesses capabilities.
If you have any questions about the FREE e-learning courses, please feel free to contact Ohio LTAP at [email protected] or 1.877.800.0031.
|
American Concrete Pipe Association Extends Virtual Conference Invite to OCA Members
 |
The American Concrete Pipe Association will be holding their annual Pipe School virtually this year and invites OCA members to participate. The program will be Feb. 1 through Feb. 3 and offers a transportation track and PDHs are available. For more information or to register, click here. |
Several OCA Chapter Scholarships Currently Available
OCA’s nine Chapters award scholarships at various times of the year throughout the state, totaling nearly $30,000. Scholarships typically range from $1,000 to $2,500 per award. Currently, two OCA Chapters are accepting scholarship applications. Students pursuing construction-related careers in Ohio’s heavy highway industry are encouraged to apply.
Current chapter scholarship applications available are:
Toledo Chapter – click here for the application
Columbus Chapter - click here for the application
Please help us get this information out to our future workforce! If you know of students working or going to school in any of the above chapter areas that would benefit, please pass this information along. For more information about OCA Chapter Scholarships, please contact Director of Chapter Development Melanie Kitchen at [email protected].
On behalf of ODOT’s Division of Construction Management and Office of Roadway Engineering, registration is currently open for the following sessions of Worksite Traffic Supervisor (WTS) Prequalification Testing.
• February 16 – Morning » Click here to register.
• February 16 – Afternoon » Click here to register.
• March 2 – Morning » Click here to register.
• March 2 – Afternoon » Click here to register.
• April 6 – Morning » Click here to register.
• April 6 – Afternoon » Click here to register.
Click here to access the PDF flyer.
Prerequisites – Do not register for WTS Prequalification testing until the prerequisites have been completed. Please see the online registration form and flyer for details.
Pre-registration is required for WTS Testing. Seating capacity is limited for each session, based on social distancing requirements due to COVID-19.
Please review the important updates and safety protocols as described per the links above.
Quick Links to On-line OCA Resources
• Current Ohio Contractor Magazine
• Safety Resources
• Labor & Employment Information
• OCA President's Commentary
 |
|
Upcoming Events |
| Click here for current events |
|
|
|
Safety Talks |
|
This email was sent to {#party.Email} because you are subscribed to the Ohio Contractors Association weekly e-Newsletter.
This email was sent by: Ohio Contractors Association, 1313 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|