Rep. Wild Hosts Roundtable with Local Cement Industry

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) hosted a roundtable discussion with local cement companies on the importance of a full-scale infrastructure package to attract new business, support workforce development, and create new jobs to help Pennsylvania's Seventh District recover from the current economic recession.

Included in the conversation were representatives from Lehigh Hanson, Buzzi Unicem USA, Lafarge Holcim, and Giant/Keystone Cement.

"Here in the Greater Lehigh Valley – the Cement Capital of the United States – we know better than most that a comprehensive infrastructure package is long-overdue," Wild said. "Not only would this necessary legislation bring our nation's crumbling infrastructure out of the 1950's by investing in our schools, highways, bridges, and broadband access, but it would create millions of good-paying jobs in the process. Right now, we need to put America on a path to economic recovery, and that can start by giving hardworking Pennsylvanians the chance to do what they have always done –build our country from the ground up. I'm so grateful to these companies for their dedication to our community and commitment to creating a national infrastructure that is smarter, safer, and built to last."

In early July, Wild voted to pass H.R. 2, the Moving Forward Act, bold, broad legislation to rebuild America with modern, climate-forward, job-creating infrastructure, through the House of Representatives. The legislation is conservatively projected to create more than 2 million jobs across the country, uplifting American families through a time of great economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A month after the House took the first step and passed the Moving Forward Act, the Senate introduced America's Transportation Infrastructure Act.

"The timing for a federal infrastructure bill could not be better to increase demand for concrete and cement and to assist with the economic rebound of Pennsylvania's construction industries from the unprecedented economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Stuart Guinther, Plant Manager of Keystone Cement in Bath, Pennsylvania. "We applaud the efforts of Congresswoman Wild to pass a comprehensive, multi-year infrastructure law in the near future."

"We value the opportunity join Congresswoman Wild in this important discussion about next steps for our transportation infrastructure," said David Perkins, Vice President of Government Affairs and Communication of Lehigh Hanson. "With roots in this region back to the first cement production in the U.S. over 150 years ago, Lehigh Hanson appreciates how critical it is that this investment is timely and sustainable, creating stability – along with much-needed jobs – to grow Pennsylvania's, and the country's, economy.

"LafargeHolcim and our employees across the Lehigh Valley applaud Congresswoman Wild's efforts to secure an infrastructure bill that includes robust long-term funding," said Virgilio Barrera, Director of Government and Public Affairs, LafargeHolcim. "We hope members of both parties will join forces to pass a robust infrastructure bill this fall. A robust, multi-year, infrastructure bill is a great way to not only help rebuild our roads and bridges, but help rebuild our economy from this unprecedented economic downturn."

"We firmly believe that approving a long-term and well-funded infrastructure package is a crucial and strategic decision for helping the economy of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," said Tom Ament, the Sales Manager for the Northeast Region of Buzzi Unicem USA. "We support the investment of sustainable, resilient and durable infrastructure made by the Moving Forward Act. We were very pleased to share with Congresswoman Wild our commitment to the people of our community and the Commonwealth in being a long standing member of this industry."

The House-passed Moving Forward Act also accounts for the economic downturn caused by the global pandemic and ensures States, cities, tribes, territories, and transit agencies can administer programs, advance projects, and preserve jobs in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis.

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