Kurt Milliman, our 2021-2022 Chairman of the Board, serves as the regional manager for Lehigh Hanson/Sherman Industries utilizing his extensive background in construction. He has worked with some form of building materials since he was 15 and has lived and worked in various concrete markets in the Southeast and Texas….

The Environmental Excellence Award is presented annually to a ready mix producer plant that has best demonstrated environmental excellence and innovative management. This year we are pleased to present Sherman Industries’ Tarrant, Alabama ready mix plant with this coveted award. The Tarrant location is a new ready-mix plant that became…

Drive Lifetime Achievement Award In 1981, a 31-year-old Eddie Ray was working on a farm in rural northeast Alabama. He had little knowledge of the concrete business and never once thought about driving a concrete truck. In fact, he had never driven a vehicle larger than afarm truck. However, that…

ACIF ScholarshipsFor the past 28 years, the Alabama Concrete Industries Foundation has awarded scholarships to students enrolled in building science, engineering or architecture at our state’s universities. Since 1993, we have awarded 54 scholarships totaling over $250,000. We currently award 2 $8,000 scholarships per year. The foundation’s first scholarship recipient,…

The Alabama Legislature has now met 21 of the constitutionally allowed 30 days. The Legislature must still pass the Education Trust Fund Budget and the General Fund Budget. Both budgets have passed one house and await action in the other Chamber. Both are in surprisingly great shape and are unlikely…

After more than a year of mask wearing, elbow bumping, social distancing and stay-at-home orders, the Alabama Concrete Industries Association was thrilled to once again host its Annual Business Meeting held at Wynlakes Golf and Country Club in Montgomery. While still practicing Covid-19 safety protocols, ACIA welcomed 90 members and…

Historically, November, December and January are the slowest three months for the concrete industry in the state. However, December 2020 threw a curve ball to conventional thinking according to data recently released by the United States Geological Service. The USGS estimated 109,035 tons of cement were shipped to the state…

Lottery, gaming bills revived On Wednesday, the Senate Tourism Committee pumped new life into the gambling debate less than a week after a constitutional amendment to create a lottery and provide up to ten casino gaming locations failed on the floor of the Senate by a vote of 19 ayes…

Gaming legislation fails This week saw the defeat of Senator Del Marsh’s effort to pass comprehensive gambling legislation. Just a few weeks ago, I would have bet the legislation would have passed. However, when the roll was called Tuesday, the legislation failed to reach the required 21 votes for a…

The Alabama Legislature met for three days again last week and have now used 13 of the 30 possible legislative days allowed during the session. Historically, the legislature meets two days a week with one day of committee meetings.   Governor Ivey Extends Mask Mandate   While the Governor extended…

The Alabama legislature met for three days last week after taking off the previous week. The legislature has now met for 9 of the possible 30 days. So far things have run smoothly, and the COVID protocols have allowed the legislature to operate without any major problems. Guests are still…

Data recently released by the United States Geological Service shows 114,280 tons of cement were shipped to the state during the month of November 2020. Cement shipments to the state grew by 14.5% over the same period in 2019. The month marks the largest increase over the same period in…

The Alabama Concrete Industries Association’s 2021 Annual Business Meeting will be held Monday, April 5th at Wynlakes Country Club in Montgomery. We hope you will make plans to attend the event to network with friends and customers.   Schedule of Events Presentation of ACIF and Sam Reed Scholarships Presentation of…

Coronavirus priority legislation signed by Governor The Governor signed three priority bills on Friday. Senate Bill 30 by Sen. Arthur Orr (R – Decatur) would provide civil immunity for business entities, health care providers, educational entities, churches, governmental entities, and cultural institutions from certain damages claimed by individuals who allege…

Legislative session off to a busy start with almost empty State House   The House and Senate gaveled in at noon on Tuesday for the 2021 legislative session despite COVID-19 protocols that are changing operations in the State House. The 105 House members are socially-distanced throughout the House floor, House…