Ohio

National Lime and Stone Co.’s request to rezone land as part of an expansion plan has the support of the Marion County Regional Planning Commission, but is contending with some negative neighbor reaction. According to the Marion Star, the company has requested to rezone 86.2 acres of land from residential to industrial. The Grand Prairie Township zoning commission called a public hearing that was attended by an overflowing crowd; however, it was canceled due to lack of quorum. Jim Schertzer, chairman of the township’s board of trustees, suggested that the rescheduled meeting be held in a larger location.

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced that it levied a $33,065 fine against Hebert and Marion Hasbrouck and Hasbrouck Sand and Gravel Inc. for violations of the Solid Waste Management Act related to the improper handling and disposal of tires. In January 2011, the DEP conducted an inspection of the Hasbrouck property and observed a large pile of incinerated tires. The staff determined the tires came from the sand and gravel operation and had been transported to the property. In January, the DEP issued an administrative order to immediately cease the transportation of solid waste to the property, remove any remaining waste tires and waste ash, and submit receipts indicating proper disposal. Follow-up inspections indicated that all conditions of the order were met.

Rhode Island

Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee announced his nomination of Roland Fiore, Stephen Hardy, and William Holmes for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) Board of Directors, golocalprov.com reports. Previously, he announced his nomination of Marcia Blount, Dr. Pablo Rodriguez, and Alison Vareika. In making the nominations, Chaffee said, “These… nominees represent geographic diversity, as well as connections to different and important areas of Rhode Island’s economy.” Fiore has been president of South County Sand & Gravel Co., Inc. since 1988. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island, currently serves as secretary of the Rhode Island Builders Association, and is an active volunteer in the local community.

Texas

The Ash Grove Cement Co.’s Board of Directors approved a $125 million-plus investment in its Midlothian plant. A new preheater, precalciner production system will make the facility among the lowest emitting cement producers in the state, a company press release reports. “We are considering a range of options as a result of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Portland cement National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants rule, which is scheduled to take effect in September 2013,” Ash Grove Chairman Charles Sunderland said in the release. “We concluded that we wanted to continue to provide Texans with locally-made cement from our Midlothian facility for the foreseeable future, and, therefore, approved the modernization project.” More than 110 workers are employed at the plant.

Utah

The Utah Best of State organization honored Staker Parsons Companies as Best in State for manufacturing-mineral mining/stone quarrying. According to a company press release, Staker Parsons also received the Best of the Best trophy in the production and manufacturing division. “Utah’s construction economy has been seriously repressed for the past several years; however, we have succeeded in growing our volumes and working toward the achievement of our business purpose, which is to safely build the preferred source for our customers, employees, shareholders, and neighbors,” Staker Parsons CEO Scott Parson wrote to the contest judges.

Wisconsin

The Eau Claire County Board voted unanimously to amend the county’s non-metallic mining code to address the issue of large-scale silica sand mines. The Leader-Telegraph reports the rules require mines to be at least 1,000 feet from residential areas and create an “overlay district” that would be in place for the life of a mine, while the existing zoning would remain. When the mine is reclaimed, the overlay zone would expire. Both the county and any zoned town would have input and veto power in writing conditional-use permits for sand mines.

Vermont

The Vermont Agency of Transportation is embarking on a series of highway construction and repair projects that are part of the biggest transportation spending plan in state history, CBSnews.com reports. “This transportation budget is different than any passed and signed by any Legislature and governor,” Gov. Peter Shumlin said of the $639 million transportation bill. “It’s the largest in our history…We made a promise to Vermonters that we would rebuild Vermont better than the way (Hurricane) Irene found us. This transportation bill reflects that commitment.” The fiscal 2013 spending plan increases transportation spending by $105 million over the current year, which includes a $28 million increase in funds for highway paving.