ASC's Intersections Newsletter — January 23, 2026
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Nora’s Note
A Shared Commitment to Service. Service is central to how Arch Street Communications shows up in our work and communities. Our benefits program includes a paid volunteer day each year, and Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a dedicated day of service across the firm. This year, staff volunteered in multiple cities and states, supporting organizations focused on environmental stewardship, housing, food access, and historic preservation. From caring for public green spaces and supporting housing initiatives to preparing meals, preserving local history, and helping neighbors in need, our team served communities across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Los Angeles through NYC Parks, Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Operation Hope and others. Giving back and staying connected to the places where we live and work is a shared value at ASC—and one we take seriously.
Transportation
The MTA has proposed an Interborough Express (IBX) stop in Midwood, a lively Brooklyn neighborhood that unites urban and suburban charm. Midwood is home to both quiet residential streets—containing predominantly single- and multi-family units—and busier areas for shopping and dining. Brooklyn College sits just to the north. The Midwood IBX stop is planned for East 16th Street, linking to the B/Q trains and servicing the IBX’s overarching goal: to connect Brooklyn and Queens and provide more transit options for outer-borough residents. Learn more about the project and about one of the other neighborhoods along the IBX route. (Source: AMNY)
Transportation Today: New York awards 25 projects $101M for rail funding
Daily News: NJ e-bike riders required to have license, registration and insurance
StreetsBlogNYC: Central Park changes have eased crossings for pedestrians, new data show
Climate
New York offshore wind project allowed to restart construction. This month a federal judge issued a ruling to resume construction on the Empire Wind renewable energy project after it was halted by the Trump Administration in December. Based off the coast of Long Island, the Empire Wind project is about 60% complete and has cost about $4 billion in construction fees to date, bringing over 1,000 jobs to the area. Advocates of the Empire Wind project view the judge’s injunction to resume construction as a big win as it would supply critical renewable energy where it is needed most. Read more about the Empire Wind project here. (Source: Inside Climate News)
Grist: This tech could keep EVs from stressing the grid
E&E News: FERC approves central US grid plan for connecting AI data centers
Canary Media: After Helene, rural North Carolina turns to solar and battery hubs
Economic Development
Careers in the built environment sectors suffer from industry fragmentation, often lacking in overlapping skills. Clean energy employment made up 48 percent of all energy jobs between 2020-2023—and other infrastructure jobs continue to be available. To prepare workers for these roles, researchers suggest that workforce development programs focus on “infrastructure skills” that can be transferred across industries, developing more consistent curricula across training programs, and advancing both up- and re-skilling efforts. Read more for a deep dive into the state of infrastructure training in 2026. (Source: Brookings)
Smart Cities Dive: With zoning and regulatory changes, cities aim to spur housing growth
Politico: The long and winding road to housing legislation
Waste Dive: Senate passes $8.8B EPA budget
Digital
AI has reshaped modern marketing from simple automation to a core strategic driver, enabling marketers to personalize campaigns at scale and shift toward data-driven decision-making. Predictive analytics and AI-powered personalization are now central to campaign effectiveness, a trend also explored in a Harvard study, McKinsey’s insights on AI-driven personalized marketing, and industry analysis of AI marketing use cases and automation strategies. Read more about the importance of balancing automation with authentic human engagement to build trust and long-term customer relationships. (Source: Forbes)
GovTech: New pact will up 911 cybersecurity for Somerset County, PA
Route Fifty: New York lawmakers are ready to try regulating the AI industry again
The Verge: How to fireproof a city
About Arch Street Communications
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