Clockwise: Concrete Day at the Capitol 2013; Annelise Shepherd and Rich Umbel; CRMCA Executive Director, Todd Ohlheiser and PCA Executive Director, Don Clem; Bud Werner, CTL Thompson with Rick Wheeler, Cemex
Hello CRMCA members,
Welcome to this month’s President’s Blog! As we end the month of April we look forward to warmer months ahead as well as the ready mixed concrete industry’s busiest season. Read on for an overview of the national Build with Strength Campaign and an update of the CCIC Transportation Funding Initiative.
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) recently introduced the Build with Strength campaign. The campaign will educate the design/build as well as code communities about the benefits and importance of concrete buildings. According to NRMCA the “campaign relies on an unprecedented communications strategy that includes a Build with Strength branded Web site, video content, a multi-city media tour, rapid response capabilities, advertising, social media properties and stakeholder engagement opportunities.” As both a board member of the NRMCA and I am excited about this initiative and encourage all members to use the resources provided by the Build with Strength Campaign to educate the Colorado design/build and code communities.
The Colorado Construction Industry Coalition (CCIC) has been hard at work with the Transportation Funding Initiative. In early April, 10 ballot titles were submitted to the Secretary of State’s office for title board hearings (view the titles online). Currently the CCIC leadership is analyzing each issue and continuing voter research and stakeholder outreach to identify which measure has the highest likelihood of success. All 10 titles would provide CDOT more than $400 million per year, and five of the titles provide a minimum 100% increase in state funds earmarked for transit. Nine of the measures would provide counties with more than $150 million new dollars per year and cities $120 million per year that they can use for their local transportation needs, including transit, as they see fit.
CRMCA fully supports the CCIC and has doubled our initial contribution of $10,000, bringing our total contribution to $20,000. We encourage individual member companies to get involved by reviewing the issues and considering making an unlimited corporate contribution. Click here to learn more.
I leave you with a quote from Colorado Contractors Association’s Executive Director, Tony Milo:
“No matter what is decided, we believe that Colorado must find a sustainable, statewide solution to its transportation funding; it’s a policy issue that must be addressed at the ballot. We are committed to finding a statewide solution that has the broadest support with Colorado voters; elected, business and community leaders; and stakeholders.”
Do not hesitate to reach out to Todd, Stacy, Annelise, or me with any questions regarding these matters or other industry issues. Stay safe!!
Rich Umbel
CRMCA Board President
President | Oldcastle SW Group, Inc.
Co-authored by Annelise Shepherd, CRMCA Communications & Administrative Coordinator
