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Dodge Momentum Index rises in April
According to Dodge Data & Analytics, the Dodge Momentum Index rose 0.8 percent in April to 122.6. The slight rise is attributed to an increase in planning activity in both the commercial and institutional sectors after a 2.5 percent decrease in March. The commercial sector was up 0.5 percent in April, with three sizeable projects that entered planning: a $500 million expansion of the JW Marriott & Ritz Carlton Hotel in Los Angeles; the $300 million Leows Sapphire Falls Resort in Orlando, Fla.; and the $100 million warehouse and office building project in Sante Fe Springs, Calif. The residential sector rose 1.2 percent, with three projects entering planning as well. The three projects include a $150 million high school renovation in Beverly Hills, Calif.; the $100 million AltaSea Marine Research and Interpretive Center in Los Angeles; and the $100 million Seattle Children’s Research Institute in Seattle. This month’s Momentum Index is up 8.5 percent compared to April 2014, and it is expected to see an upward trend throughout 2015, reports… Keep Reading
Michigan voters severely reject road tax proposal
Michigan voters severely rejected the state’s road tax program, Proposal 1, 80-20 percent. This rejection may be the most one-sided loss for a proposed constitutional amendment in state history, reports USA Today. Proposal 1 would have hiked the state sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent, raising nearly $1.3 billion extra for roads, says USA Today. In addition, the plan would have generated about $200 million a year more for schools; $116 million for transit and rail; $111 million more for local governments; and given $260-million tax breaks for low- to moderate income families through restoration of the Earned Income Tax Credit, says USA Today. Many voters expressed anger at the state government for not coming up with a better solution to the poor state of the roads. "We need to go ahead and get these roads and infrastructure fixed immediately, given the nature and the extent of the damage that has occurred from not maintaining them," says Rep. Peter Lucido, a Republican from Shelby Township. According to USA… Keep Reading
AirGon to host drone-collected volumetrics workshop
AirGon is set to host a two-day drone collected volumetrics workshop June 11-12 in Toronto, Canada at the Hilton Garden Inn, Toronto/Ajax. The event will include a comprehensive overview of using a small UAS to collect and process data for volumetric calculations. There will also be a drone demonstration where the company will plan and fly a data collection mission at a quarry site, as well as process the data to create ortho images, a dense point cloud and volumetric computations. Topics of discussion will include drone collected volumetrics, mission planning, flight demonstrations and data processing. There will also be a Q&A period. The technical demonstrations will take place at VicDom Sand & Gravel in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada. Registration for the event is $300, and space for the workshop is limited to two persons per company. Keep Reading
Flexco names Rosso senior product manager
Flexco named Aaron Rosso senior product manager of its heavy-duty mechanical belt fastener product line. In this role, Rosso will be responsible for managing the company’s global heavy-duty mechanical belt fastener program, including the vision, strategy, product development plan, product line portfolio, public relations and communications, pricing and profitability. “I am confident that Aaron will be instrumental in successfully managing the many products within the HD MBF product offering and continue to grow this important area of Flexco business,” says Chip Winiarski, director of marketing for Flexco’s heavy-duty mechanical belt fastener product line. “His hands-on approach and enthusiasm will be a welcomed addition to Flexco and the marketing team.” Keep Reading
Budget resolution proposes transportation funding decrease
According to the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), the House and Senate passed a joint budget resolution, something the two chambers hadn't done in six years. The resolution proposes a 22 percent reduction in surface transportation funding based on current revenue projects for the Highway Trust Fund, reports NSSGA. Although the budget does not have the force of law, it sets parameters for the appropriations process when allocating funds for programs. This resolution contains what former House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) calls a highway funding “bucket,” meaning Congress can increase transportation funding levels if money becomes available. According to NSSGA, current funding levels are not keeping pace with the cost of U.S. infrastructure maintenance, and a $12 billion cut from current spending would have a devastating impact on road conditions. “We urge Congress to find the funding necessary in order to avoid this draconian cut,” says NSSGA Senior Vice President Pam Whitted. “America cannot afford to spend less now on this national priority or else we… Keep Reading
NSSGA adds two members to team
The National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) added Michele Stanley, a surface transportation lobbyist and former Capitol Hill staffer, and Andrew McConnell, digital specialist, to its team. Stanley previously worked for two years with the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA). Prior to NAPA, she spent more than eight years on Capitol Hill, where she served more than six years as a legislative assistant and scheduler for Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) and two years as scheduler and personal assistant for Rep. Jim Nussle (R-Iowa). “Michele’s past experience applies directly to the aggregates industry’s top issue: finding a long-term solution to the highway trust fund,” says Mike Johnson, NSSGA president and CEO. “NSSGA is fortunate to find someone with Michele’s experience as she is already making an impact on Capitol Hill on behalf of the entire aggregates industry.” As digital communicator, McConnell will be responsible for the association’s website, social media and other online publications. He gained experience on Capitol Hill working with the office of Rep. Peter Sessions (R-Texas), as… Keep Reading
Vulcan reports first-quarter loss despite some improvements
Vulcan Materials Co. released its 2015 first quarter results, reporting a first-quarter loss of $39 million after reporting a profit in the same period one year earlier. Vulcan's first quarter ended March 31. Despite the loss, Vulcan reports its first-quarter adjusted EBITDA was $77 million. That's a 97 percent increase from the prior year, with gross profit improving in all segments. Compared to 2014’s first quarter, total revenues increased $57 million to $631 million. In addition, total gross profit increased $44 million to $78 million. Aggregate freight-adjusted revenues increased $56 million to $380 million compared to the first quarter of 2014. Vulcan reports gaining momentum in aggregates shipments, as well. The company reports that strong construction activity across all end-use markets drove the momentum. The states of Arizona, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Texas and Virginia saw shipment growth greater than 10 percent on a same-store basis. Also, the freight-adjusted sales price for aggregates increased about 4 percent on a same-store basis, or 44 cents per ton, compared to the first… Keep Reading
Senate introduces Waters of the US bill
A bipartisan group of Senators introduced a Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) bill, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, S. 1140, which would protect traditional navigable waters of the U.S., reports the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA). The bill, sponsored by Sens. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., John Barrasso, R-Wyo., Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., would direct the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the current WOTUS proposal and issue a revised rule that would exempt waters of concern to the aggregates industry. According to NSSGA, the bill outlines principals for the EPA and the Corps to consider when revising the rule. “After working together for months, we’ve introduced a strong bipartisan bill that will protect America’s waterways – and America’s farmers, ranchers and landowners,” says Barrasso. “Our legislation gives the EPA the direction it needs to write a reasonable rule that will truly protect our ‘navigable waterways.’” Click here to read the bill. Keep Reading
Women in Mining elects 2015-2016 officers
Women in Mining (WIM) elected its 2015-2016 officers for the WIM National Organization and the WIM Education Foundation. The national officers include President Darlene Bray of the California chapter; Vice President Gena Oliver of the California chapter; Treasurer Bonnie Love, at large; and Secretary Betty Mahaffey of the Denver chapter. The officers of the education foundation include President Arloa Woolford of the Nevada chapter; Vice President Bonnie Love, at large; Treasurer Scotty Norman of the Nevada chapter; and Secretary Jackie Dorr of the Denver chapter. Learn more about the organization here. Keep Reading
