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Recent News Articles

HVAC Measures to Address Virus Spread

We recently shared some initial insights into how MEP systems can impact the spread of COVID-19. Our COVID-19 MEP Design Response remains available on our website. For the next several months, we'll build on these concepts in our Plains Talk newsletter by continuing...

Mt. Rushmore Renovation Earns LEED Platinum

A major renovation to the concession building and restaurant at Mt. Rushmore National Memorial recently received LEED Platinum certification for sustainable design. West Plains Engineering provided electrical engineering design for elements of the project, which is...

MEP For Water Infrastructure

As Americans, it can be all too easy to take the availability of good, clean water for granted. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, and our world's focus on hand washing and disinfecting, this resource has never been more critical. Local municipalities take care of...

Thanks for a Great Year!

Like many firms, sometimes we get so focused on meeting the next deadline or chasing the next big project – that we sometimes forget to slow down and take time to reflect. But as we close the books on 2019, we couldn’t help but notice how much has happened in the past...

$58 Million SDSU ADRDL Holds Ribbon Cutting

On Sept. 6, members of our Sioux Falls team had the great honor of attending a ribbon-cutting for the SDSU Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory in Brookings. At $58 million, it’s the single largest construction project ever to take place at a state...

Ascent Innovation Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ktNmVEUeC0&fbclid=IwAR2eUqJ7ya80Gc8vFX4D3Agmzjwy04mLzqfGu2ka3M6genjhbye5VsrUe-Y West Plains Engineering is working with the Rapid City Economic Development Corporation and Strang, Inc. architects on an expansion to the Ascent...

Kennedy Named Electrical Department Head

Jonathan Kennedy, P.E. Electrical Engineer Jonathan Kennedy, P.E. has been named head of the Electrical Department in our Sioux Falls office. In this role, he will be critical in the development and delivery of West Plains Engineering’s electrical engineering...

NEW Issue of Plains Talk

  Seems like this time of year is buzzing with exciting competition. A new (sort of) Super Bowl champion has been crowned, March Madness is upon us and MLB players have reported to their summer digs down south. Closer to home, most of us are seeing the light at...

West Plains Announces Leadership Changes

The New Year is all about change, and we are pleased to announce two exciting leadership changes in our firm. Effective January 1, Marty Christensen, P.E. has assumed the role of Building Services  Division Manager for the company; while Mike Fisher, P.E. has been...

Dollars for Doers Earns $1,200 in First Year

In 2018, members of our staff contributed more than $1,200 to local charities through volunteer hours and financial contributions. For their time, effort and dedication to improving our communities, West Plains Engineering is proud to match that contribution. Through...

Mark Grebner Announces Retirement

Mark Grebner, P.E., has announced his retirement from West Plains Engineering effective Jan. 1, 2019. Mark celebrated 25 years with our firm this past Spring, and has served in countless important ways as a Mechanical Engineer, Office Manager, Board Member and most...

Rapid City Invests in Diabetes, Inc.

On Nov. 9, Electrical Engineer Matt VonHaden (right) delivered our final "Ways to Give" Community Investment donation for 2018 - a $1000 check to Diabetes, Inc., in Rapid City, S.D. Matt presented the check to President Jason Byars, and the money was used to sponsor a...

Sioux Falls Supports Safe Families for Children

On Nov. 1, members of our Sioux Falls office stopped by Safe Families for Children to deliver a well-deserved $1,000 donation on behalf of our firm's "Ways to Give" corporate philanthropy program. Jeff Metzger, a drafter in our Sioux Falls office, nominated Safe...

Cedar Rapids Gives Back to Mission of Hope

On Nov. 1, several members of the West Plains Engineering team in Cedar Rapids spent the afternoon serving lunch at Mission of Hope - a local non-profit committed to offering physical, emotional and spiritual support to those in need. West Plains was also proud to...

Plains Talk Newsletter

The Plains Talk Newsletter is a publication of West Plains Engineering highlighting our projects, challenges and, most importantly, solutions.

Sign up today to receive the Newsletter, or download the latest issue below.

2024

  • November/December – Farewell to 40!
    • 2024 in Review Video
    • WPE Ways to Give Charitable Donations
  • September/October – MEP Impact on the IIJA
    • Transportation Take Off: Sioux Falls Regional Airport Expansion
    • The MEP Factor: Bringing IIJA Infrastructure to Life
    • Exploring New Waters: Lewis & Clark Regional Water System
    • Infrastructure Integration: Alliance Solar Farm Transmission Line
  • July/August – Designing for the Next Generation
    • Review Before Renovations: White River School District
    • Student-Centered MEP Design Approach
    • Combatting Crowded Classrooms: Tri-Valley Elementary & High School
    • Making Good Bones Great: Lisbon High School
  • May/June – Factories of the Future
    • Backyard Building – Maven Outdoor Equipment Company
    • Post-Pandemic Manufacturing Growth
    • Manufacturing Modern Tech: BAE Systems
    • Small Business Boom: Scherer, Inc.
  • March/April – Hats Off to Higher Education
    • Beyond Books: SD Mines Devereaux Library Modernization
    • Putting Design on the Docket: USD Knudson School of Law Upgrades
    • Upping Their Game: SDSU Stanley J. Marshall Center Improvements
  • January/February –  40th Anniversary
    • WPE 40th Anniversary Announcement
    • A Message from WPE President, Marty Christensen
    • Daren Beckloff, P.E. Promoted to Engineering & Operations Director

2023

  • November/December
    • 2023 in Review
  • September/October
    • Preserving the Past: MEP Design for Historic Renovations
    • Doubling Down on Deadwood: Historic Franklin Hotel Renovations
    • Repurpose with a Purpose: Colonial Building Affordable Housing Conversion
    • Governing Through the Ages: Weston County Courthouse Repairs & Renovations
  • July/August
    • MEP Underground: Campus Steam Tunnel Design
    • Campus Growth 101: SD Mines Utility Infrastructure Study & Upgrades
    • Chilling with the Jacks: SDSU SW Quadrant Utility Repairs & Extensions
    • Powering Progress: Northwest College Medium Voltage Upgrades
  • May/June
    • Specialty Medical Design: How MEP Impacts Procedures
    • Environments For Imaging: Black Hills & Sioux Falls VA Health Care Systems MRI Site Preparation
    • Filling the Gap: Casper Medical Imaging Expansion
    • Understanding the Nuances of Care: Sioux Falls Specialty Hospital
  • March/April
    • Building Management Made Better: The Benefits of BAS
    • Intelligent Automation: Thinking Outside the BAS Box
    • Control & Monitoring Standards: USP Requirements of Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
  • January/February
    • Beyond Bars & Fences: Design For Secure Prison Spaces
    • Keeping Up With the Times: Mike Durfee State Prison Barracks HVAC Upgrades
    • Cross-Functional Corrections: South Dakota State Women’s Prison
    • Safety First: 6th Judicial District Facility Improvements

2022

  • November/December
    • A Letter from Doug Feterl, P.E. – WPE President
    • Looking Back at 2022 By the Numbers
  • September/October
    • Strategic Direction Report: Electric Vehicle Charger Design Considerations
    • The Federal Response: EV & the Existing Transportation Infrastructure
    • The Adoption Trend: EV Stations & Existing Fueling Sites
  • July/August
    • Strategic Direction Report: The Serious Work of Student Safety
    • Stronger Together: Russell-Tyler-Ruthton School & Fieldhouse
    • Getting Ahead of the Curve: Chamberlaid CSD Elementary & HS Gym
    • Finding Space: Cotter Elementary Addition & Renovation
  • May/June
    • Strategic Direction Report: Finding Non-Linear Approaches to Design Delivery
    • Working Backward Underground: SDSTA 3650 Pump Room Rehab
    • Parallel Procurement: Bringing On Sub-Constractors Prior to Design Completion
  • March/April
    • Strategic Direction Report: Geothermal/Water Source Heat Pump Systems
    • Military Mechanical Sustainability: South Dakota Army National Guard
    • What’s Remotely Possible: Sutton Bay Golf Course & Resort
    • Thinking Long Term: Geothermal Systems for Schools
  • January/February
    • Strategic Direction Report: Putting the IQ in IDIQ
    • Prime Opportunity with a World-Renowned Client: SDSTA
    • As-Needed for Any Need: UIHC
    • On-Call MEP for M&R: South Dakota State University

    Plains Talk Archives

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