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Association & Industry News
NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks 2020 is currently scheduled for September 25 - 29 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, CO (metro Denver). The event is co-located with the PCA Fall Board & Committee Meetings and is a mix of informative education sessions, general sessions, committee meetings, an 80,000 square foot exhibition hall, National Mixer Driver Championship and numerous other networking events. You may contact contact Jessica Walgenbach at 703-706-4852 with any questions. The estimated ready mixed concrete produced in March 2020 is 28.4 million cubic yards, 5% higher than that in March 2019. The estimated production in the U.S. for 2020 through March is 77 million cubic yards, 8% higher than that during the same period in 2019. Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. More detail, including Q1 production by state, is available to NRMCA members here. 
SEO
The next NRMCA Plant Manager Course will be offered online from June 22 – July 2 during seven non-concurrent sessions, each lasting roughly 4 hours, with the exams on Tuesday, July 2. Course materials will be mailed to each attendee prior to the start of the course and exams will be administered online. Certain sessions will be recorded for attendee review after those sessions and prior to the exams on July 2. Why attend? Never has it been more critical for your plant manager operator to be at the top of his/her game. Efficiency and productivity impact every penny in this tight economy. Plant managers serve a vital function, with responsibilities that affect issues from regulatory compliance to product quality, safety and profitability. NRMCA’s certification program helps you make sure that they are up to speed on product knowledge, plant safety, environmental regulations, plant operations and ready mixed concrete industry business principles. This course establishes the basic industry standard, measured through certification. Click here to learn more and to register. The deadline is Friday, June 12. For more information, contact Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org. The NRMCA’s Annual Safety Award acknowledges the significant contribution that safety work practices gives to the growth and success of individual companies and the ready mixed concrete industry as a whole. The NRMCA Annual Safety Award is presented to an individual or company whose actions represent the very highest in the advancement of safety in the ready mixed concrete industry. The award program is generously sponsored by the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau (TMMB). The award may be presented to an individual whose single action or longtime commitment to safety and health in the ready mixed concrete industry exemplifies superior performance in the field of safety. Examples of the award winner could be a ready mixed concrete truck driver whose actions were lifesaving. Other examples could include plant managers, safety managers and company officials who have outstanding longtime dedication to safety and health in the ready mixed concrete industry. Other examples would be an individual’s involvement community safety activities. Criteria for selection of the individual or company may include evidence of the following: • Reduction of accidents/incidents; • Demonstration of leadership in safety; • Identification, evaluation and control of hazards; • Development of safety-conscious policies and procedures; • Active promotion of safety in the workplace; • Innovation and enthusiasm in marketing safety; • Collaborative & proactive work toward improving safety; • Placing a high personal value on safety; and • Mentoring of others in safety. Nominations shall be made by submitting a detailed explanation for why the individual or company should be considered for the award. The explanation should focus on highlighting the criteria listed above. Submissions should include necessary supporting documents, a high-resolution electronic image of the nominee (if an individual) or a high resolution company logo and any other relevant images. Entries must be e-mailed to Gary Mullings at gmullings@nrmca.org by Friday, June 26. Click here for more information, specific requirements for the nominating process and staff contact. NRMCA’s Commitment to Environmental Excellence Awards competition offers producers national recognition for outstanding contributions to protecting the environment and maintaining sound management practice in their operations. The program salutes companies that have not only met, but surpassed governmental compliance measures and demonstrated a commitment to environmental excellence through plant and staff investment. NRMCA member companies producing ready mixed concrete from a fixed plant location in the U.S., its territories or Canada are eligible to enter. Awards will be determined upon individual plant merits. Winning entrants will be honored at the Awards Luncheon at NRMCA‘s ConcreteWorks this September in Denver and also featured in a 2020 edition of NRMCA’s Concrete InFocus magazine, and leading industry trade publication Concrete Products. Entries and photos must be e-mailed by Friday, July 24. Click here for more information, to download the entry form, and staff contact. 
The House of Representatives last week passed a bill to provide reforms to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The legislation, H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, extended the window for using the PPP funds from eight weeks to 24 weeks and revised the required 75/25% split between payroll and business expenses to 60/40%. The bill passed the House 417-1 last week as Speaker Pelosi invoked for the first time the proxy voting rules adopted by the House earlier in May. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, indicated that the Senate would be putting forward a separate PPP reform legislation. NRMCA has advocated for reforming the PPP and will continue to do so as Congress considers important modifications to the program. In advocating for PPP reform, NRMCA’s priorities are:
Based on input from NRMCA members, NRMCA and our allied associations sent a letter raising concerns about retroactive forgiveness eligibility requirements for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans as well as the tax deductibility of expenses. Previously, NRMCA has worked with allied associations and our state affiliates to communicate the importance of expanding eligibility for PPP loans to 501(c)6 non-profit organizations. NRMCA continues to prepare additional advocacy in support of PPP reforms to ensure that ready mixed concrete producers have the liquidity and support they need during this difficult time. For more information, contact Andrew Tyrrell at atyrrell@nrmca.org. Speaking at a press conference last week in Kentucky, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that liability protections would be included in the next COVID-19 relief bill. He also said that the next relief bill would be the last. According to McConnell, the liability protections would be retroactive to December 2019 and extend through 2024. While there is not yet a liability protection proposal, he has previously indicated that the inclusion of liability protections would be a red line for Republicans and indicated that he would be speaking with the Trump administration as well as Democrats. As we have previously reported, Senator McConnell is working with Senator Cornyn (R-TX) on this provision. NRMCA joined PCA, NSSGA and other associations in sending a letter to McConnell and the Judiciary Committee in support of this effort. NRMCA joined the Chamber of Commerce in sending a similar letter to Congress last week. For more information, contact Andrew Tyrrell at atyrrell@nrmca.org. 
Buildings
In 2008, the Idaho Falls School District hired Design West Architects to do a detailed evaluation of existing school facilities. The goal of the evaluation was to define facilities that would benefit from upgrades vs. those which would be better served by demolition. Design West recommended that four of the elementary schools be replaced with new schools due to seismic and age concerns of the existing facilities. The new buildings are built out of insulated concrete forms and heated using underground geothermal systems that take advantage of the ground source temperatures. The district received a substantial rebate because of the extreme energy efficiency of the facilities. The fact that all the schools were completed on budget and on schedule increases their positive reception. One great example is the Ethel Boyes Elementary School. For more details about the project, visit www.ConcreteTracker.org and search on Building > School/College > ID and click on Submit. Click on the pins to explore this outstanding example of ready mixed concrete at work. There are over 130 concrete school projects on www.ConcreteTracker.org. To find them, click on HOME [MAP] and select Building > School/College. Click on the pins to explore. If you have a project you would like to include on the map, click ABOUT US and click on the “Case Study Upload” link. For more information, contact Lionel Lemay at LLemay@nrmca.org or 847-922-7995. The Build With Strength webinar series continues today, Wednesday, June 3, at 2 p.m. Eastern time with Achieving Resilience with ICF Construction presented by NRMCA's Lionel Lemay and Paul Camozzi, director of commercial business development for Amvic Building Systems. This webinar defines resilience and how effective planning and application of progressive structural design, practices and building materials, such as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs), can fulfill sustainability objectives. ICF construction will also be highlighted on Wednesday, June 17, when Economical Design of Insulating Concrete Forms will be led by Lionel Lemay and Scott Campbell, also of NRMCA. This webinar will explore the evolution of ICFs as well as design, detailing and construction inspections. Registration is available for all Build With Strength Education webinars in June focusing on design and construction of high-performance concrete buildings. They provide American Institute of Architects (AIA) Elective Learning Units and/or Professional Development Hours (PDH) for continuing education requirements. • New - June 3: Achieving Resilience with ICF Construction • Popular - June 10: Concrete Innovations • New - June 17: Economical Design of Insulating Concrete Forms • Popular - June 24: Specifying Sustainable Concrete Build With Strength is a coalition led by NRMCA that promotes standards advocacy to leverage policies promoting safety and resiliency and help place more concrete. For more information, contact Lionel Lemay at llemay@nrmca.org. This Build With Strength (BWS) advocacy report summarizes activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including efforts to declare construction an essential service. Click here to access the advocacy report. For more information, contact John Loyer at jloyer@nrmca.org.
Products & Services
In recognition of June as National Safety Month, NRMCA encourages organizations to promote safety in the workplace, especially during these uncertain times, with savings on a variety of safety topics. Valid through Tuesday, June 30, choose any NRMCA Safety topic and receive 25% off the member price. While it’s challenging trying to schedule safety training while balancing report times and delivery schedules, NRMCA’s online safety lessons can be accessed from any computer, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The online lessons are also available in DVD format. In addition to the safety lessons, you can also choose anything from the ever-popular Mixer Truck Driver’s Manual to the ever-important Cement Safety Brochure. NRMCA has the publications and resources to prepare your organization for the days ahead. Use discount code JUNE20 and please order by June 30 (this promotion does not include CDP online orders). For more information, contact Jacques Jenkins at jjenkins@nrmca.org. 
Pavement
 NRMCA Producer member CEMEX teamed up with Full Tilt Constructors to provide 15,000 yards of concrete paving at a Lexus dealership in Orlando, FL. The total size of the parking lot and roads that were paved came in just over 480,000 sq ft., reports NRMCA Senior Director, Local Paving, Amanda Hult. The placement, on Major Blvd. in Orlando, required required 4,000 psi mix with 3 lbs. of macro fiber. Pour sizes was roughly 500-700 yards per day when placed. For more details about this project (seen here) or other pavement projects across the United States visit www.ConcreteTracker.org; you may search the database based on type of project. If you have a project you would like to include on the map, click ABOUT US and click on the “Case Study Upload” link. For more information or for assistance in uploading a project, contact Amanda Hult at 720-648-0323 or ahult@nrmca.org. The Pave Ahead Concrete Pavement Education Series continued last week with the first in a four-part series of Pervious Concrete webinars. Designing Pervious Concrete was presented by Senior Director, Local Paving, Ken Justice, P.E. with assistance from Pave Ahead team leader Brian Killingsworth, P.E. “A large percentage of the over 300 attendees were from state and local government agencies who are, no doubt, interested in the benefits of pervious concrete for stormwater management,” said NRMCA Senior Vice President, Local Paving, Phil Kresge. Part two of the series, Specifying Pervious Concrete, will be held Thursday, June 4, at 2 p.m. Eastern time. The series will continue with Installing Pervious Concrete on June 11 and conclude with Maintenance Guidelines for Pervious Concrete on June 18. As always, recordings of previous Pave Ahead webinars can be found at paveahead.com/education. For more information, contact Phil Kresge at pkresge@nrmca.org. Government Affairs
Last year, NRMCA Government Affairs helped secure $50 million for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), a pilot program funded through the Department of Defense (DOD) and established to provide infrastructure grants to communities near military bases and facilities. Last week, the DOD’s Office of Economic Adjustment posted a Grant Opportunity implementing the Defense Community Infrastructure Pilot Program. The opportunity lists eligible applicants as “State or local governments and not-for-profit, member owned utility services owning infrastructure outside of, but supporting, a military installation.” According to the Announcement of Federal Funding Opportunity, the grants can be used for an array of project types, including transportation projects, water and waste-water infrastructure, and utility infrastructure. As NRMCA and our allied associations continue to advocate for a surface reauthorization and robust infrastructure investment, the DCIP is an additional opportunity to secure infrastructure funding for states and localities, especially during this time of declining state and municipal transportation revenue. While NRMCA members cannot submit grants, NRMCA members operating near military bases are encouraged to provide information regarding the Grant Opportunity to state and local governments of jurisdiction so that they can apply for infrastructure grants in a timely manner – boosting infrastructure spending and the demand for concrete. You can view the Office of Economic Adjustment’s Announcement here and the proposal instructions here. The grant proposals should be submitted through grants.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, June 26. For more information, contact Andrew Tyrrell at atyrrell@nrmca.org. 
Learning & Development
As you juggle drivers’ schedules in this crazy business environment, let us suggest keeping them engaged through NRMCA’s Concrete Delivery Professional (CDP) program. It is now online and totally self-directed skill development. As the industry’s premier mixer driver-specific training program, it strives to help your drivers gain industry-specific knowledge and customer service strategies to help them be your best ambassadors. It consists of approximately 10 hours of curriculum divided into 20-minute lessons in five broad areas: concrete, safety, environmental considerations, customer service and mixer truck operations. It is led by a voice-over instructor with subtitles that support drivers with reading or hearing difficulties. For even more learning support, CDP-online directly coordinates with an optional textbook. These succinct learning modules can fit between loads or can be spontaneously accessed from any computer, 24/7. Lessons also have a stop/start feature, making CDP participation adaptable to a driver’s ever-changing work schedule. Exams are online as well, so the need for third-party proctors has been eliminated at a time when “social distancing” is critical. Finally, group discounts pricing starts with 10+ drivers. Click here for CDP’s online information page and staff contact. There is so much on the plates of the industry’s human resources professionals, especially in the COVID-19 environment. Ongoing guidance and regulatory changes from every division in the U.S. Department of Labor, EEOC and a host of other agencies make it challenging to keep ahead of the game. To help, NRMCA created a go-to COVID-19 Resource, accessible with just a click from NRMCA’s home page. It is continually updated, sometimes daily. Additionally, members of the Workforce Development Committee receive updates by e-mail when relevant information that could impact an HR Department’s functions becomes available. If you or the appropriate HR person on your team would like to receive these updates, contact Eileen Dickson at edickson@nrmca.org. Calendar
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site. June 4, Concrete Pavement Webinar Series June 10, Build With Strength Webinar June 11, Concrete Pavement Webinar Series June 15 – 22, Online Course June 16 – 18, Nashville, TN – Sponsored by Tennessee Concrete Association June 17, Build With Strength Webinar June 18, Concrete Pavement Webinar Series June 22 – July 2, Online Course June 24, Build With Strength Webinar June 25, Smyrna, Tennessee – Sponsored by TCA June 26, Smyrna, Tennessee – Sponsored by TCA July 14 – 16, Nashville, TN – Sponsored by TCA September 25 – 29, Denver October 8, Nashville, TN October 20 – 22, Mendota Heights, MN November 10 - 12, New Orleans November 17 – 19, Glendora, CA December 15, Charlotte, NC December 15 – 18, Phoenix 
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