This week (May 17th – 23rd) is National Public Works Week. A few days ago I spoke at a city commission meeting to acknowledge and honor the important contributions made by these hard working people that the public often seems to take for granted.

Considering the immense amount of local developments and utility and road upgrades undertaken daily, this was a small effort on my part. Afterwards, however, a city employee commented that it was so nice to hear something positive (likely a reference to the ratio of complaints to compliments!)

At the same time, I reminded the Commission about the aggregates, concrete, and asphalt provided by companies that enabled the work to happen. Environmentally, in addition to low carbon concrete being produced, vast amounts of construction and demolition materials were being recycled keeping them out of landfills and being reused in many projects. This was followed by tonnage statistics for two counties.

It’s important to thank the city and the workers who use our products, but it was also consequential to remind the Commissioners that how our infrastructure is built and maintained doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes materials from the earth and processing technologies with minimal environmental impact to have successful sustainable communities. We can do both - produce AND protect.