The Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners has approved the proposal for a US$130 million upgrade to the St Marys Cement Inc. plant in northern Michigan. The state Department of Environmental Quality must now review the plans for final approval. The project received support from the local community at a public hearing.
Over in Dixon, Illinois, the public is waiting on the outcome of the state’s decision on the Charlevoix plant as a factor in the decision over whether or not to resume production at St Marys Dixon plant, which stopped producing cement in December 2008 when the economic downturn cut demand. The plant is currently used as a distribution terminal. Mayor Jim Burke has said that it would be great to have the plant up and running again, and that they are working together to see if there are incentives that the state could provide to make it work.
Responding to President Obama’s State of the Union address, the Portland Cement Association says that resilient construction should be key for infrastructure bill.
St Marys Cement is reportedly considering its options in the Great Lakes region, planning for either an expansion of capacity in Charlevoix or resuming operations at its Dixon plant.
Both coal and limestone trade fell on the Great Lakes in November 2014 due to harsh weather conditions; the Lake Carriers’ Association has called for a second heavy icebreaker to help keep shipping lanes open during freezing weather.
Votorantim has opened up the application process for its 2015 Trainee Programme, which offers 42 places across its cement, metals, energy and steel divisions.