Legislative Quarry Tours Begin

VTCA has made a commitment to showcase our industries to government leaders and officials who have the potential to impact our industries, whether positively or negatively. The thought is to “pull back the curtain” of our operations and projects and let officials see first-hand what we do, what we make, and how and why we do what we do.

The first scheduled quarry, asphalt plant and jobsite tour in Northern VA had to be rescheduled due to a schedule conflict with many of the legislators that were going to attend. That tour has been rescheduled for August 1.

Our next scheduled tour was on June 16 in the Roanoke area and was conducted at Boxley’s Blue Ridge Quarry and Office complex.

The event was a quarry tour only. Attending the tour were VA State Senator Mark Peake and Carrie Sheffield, Legislative Aide for Virginia Senator Chris Head. Additionally, several local leaders joined the event, including Luke Campbell – Botetourt Co. Director of Economic Development, Robert Hiss – Bedford County Administrator, Pam Armstrong – Bedford Co. Director of Economic Development, and Alfred Jones – Appomattox Board of Supervisors.

The group was treated to presentations from VTCA on the aggregates’ role in the community and everyday life and the economic value of Virginia’s Aggregate industry. We also discussed logistics and why aggregate operations need to be “local”.

Boxley’s Team, Including Cline Dooley, Spencer Young, Andy Vassar, Joseph Pinkard, and Jake Gusler. They provided an in-depth look into the Boxley organization’s history, safety culture, and record, and focus on community and environmental stewardship. The team went on to show how aggregates are processed and what their uses are. They wrapped up by highlighting several local projects where Boxley furnished aggregate products. The guests were then treated to a comprehensive tour of Boxley’s Blue Ridge Quarry.

The group was then treated to lunch and discussions between the guests and the Boxley and VTCA representatives.

Special thanks to Kara Poole from Boxley, as she pulled the seamless program together to provide an exceptional experience for the attendees.

The intention of these tours is to educate those who have legislative and/or regulatory impacts on our operations about the critical role aggregates serve in Virginia and local communities.

VTCA has three more legislative tours scheduled through the summer, as well as six tours focusing on DEQ officials.