News

The construction industry is at a crossroads, faced with a critical decision: replace or renew, demolish or restore. On one hand, new construction can bring exciting opportunities for innovation and growth. On the other hand, preserving and maintaining existing...

As the built environment continues to evolve, one thing is clear: buildings are no longer just passive spaces - they're active contributors to our well-being. As MEP engineers, we consider ourselves the 'pulse' of the building and hold ourselves responsible for...

More than a week-long event, Engineers Week is a year-round commitment to making a difference. The only event of its kind—it is a time for the engineering industry to: Celebrate how engineers make a difference in our world Add our voice to the conversation about the...

West Plains Engineering is excited to welcome Tessa Robinson as our new Human Resources Director. Tessa is a Black Hills State University graduate and a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Senior Certified Professional (SCP). She will be heavily involved in...

Plains Talk began as a single-sheet quarterly printed publication we handed out to our clients back in 1999. More than 25 years later, we're blown away that we get to send our e-newsletter to more than 2,000 subscribers every other month. It's one of many nostalgic...

The United States is embarking on an unprecedented infrastructure overhaul, rivaling FDR's New Deal in both scope and ambition. As U.S. citizens and AEC industry professionals, we're excited to witness the transformative impact on our communities firsthand. The...

In the midst of the back-to-school chaos this month, we’re reminded just how fortunate we are to welcome students back to their school buildings at all. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in countless shifts in our world, and leaving the classroom was one of them. But a...

Manufacturing is making a big comeback in the U.S., fueled by government investments and a move toward bringing production back home. This shift is changing the game, with a focus on modernizing facilities, embracing new tech, and going green. As the industry...

We love this time of year! A time for celebrating accomplishments, closing chapters, and turning the page on life's next big adventure. This month, thousands of students will don cap and gown, make a final walk across the stage, and receive that diploma that...

Anyone who has turned 40 will tell you, it's a unique milestone. We're proud of what our firm has learned and accomplished, and we're confident and excited about who we are today. It felt appropriate to create a memorial logo for the occasion to commemorate such an...

It’s with genuine pride and appreciation that we announce Doug Feterl is stepping down to retire from his position as President of West Plains Engineering. The company has planned for Marty Christensen, P.E. to step into the role as Doug's replacement effective...

Thank you just doesn’t quite seem to cut it. There are truly no words to express our gratitude for getting to work with and for our colleagues, clients and partners 365 days a year…for the past 39 years (and counting). In this edition of Plains Talk, we spend some...

There are several challenges with historic renovations that we as designers don’t encounter as often when facing modern construction. One main concern for MEP design is finding the right balance between preservation and modernization. As engineers, we strive for the...

West Plains Engineering has four regional offices in the upper Midwest, and if you look closely, you’ll see these locations weren’t chosen at random. Each of our offices is placed in close proximity to major higher education institutions…in part because we understand...