Nabers discusses project financing options at ACEC of Texas meeting

Alternative, innovative financing tools examined for critical public infrastructure projects

Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. and co-founder of the Gemini Global Group, shared her insight regarding public private partnerships and other alternative and innovative financial tools for large public projects at today’s meeting of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas (ACEC Texas).

“Public-private partnerships, which historically have been slow to catch on in the United States, are seeing a rebirth of interest at all levels of government,” said Nabers. “But, there are all kinds of other alternative funding sources as well. And, given the budget constraints that government subdivisions are currently facing, government officials are being forced to find new and innovative ways to finance critical infrastructure projects. Because the private sector has much more capital available than the public sector, collaboration is a hot topic.”

Panelists for an inclusive discussion included Christine Maguire, Wes Strickland and Michael J. Weaver. Maguire is senior manager at DPFG, a regional real estate consulting firm. Strickland is a partner in the Austin-based Jackson Walker LLP law firm. Weaver, an expert on transportation financing mechanisms, is a principal with Prime Strategies, Inc., a real estate consulting firm.

Panelists, engineers and public officials joined the discussion about how to assess needs, identify innovative financial alternatives and leverage regional collaboration.

ACEC Texas is the professional association of Texas engineering firms.