The Holcim (US) Inc. Theodore plant in Alabama was recognized by the Council of State Governments (CSG) in early December as the winner of the 2006 CSG Associates Award for corporate citizenship. The plant and its leadership were honored for their ongoing commitment to helping the community near the plant rebuild after Hurricane Katrina.

“Holcim's commitment to its community is outstanding,” said Daniel Sprague, executive director, Council of State Governments. “We encourage other companies to make similar commitments to be an active part of their communities.”

The CSG award was presented to Holcim Plant Manager Joe McFalls by Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry. During remarks, Henry highlighted two specific projects Holcim undertook to help the community rebuild.

The first was the rebuilding of a rural health clinic in Bayou La Batre. The clinic, which serves low-income residents in the Theodore community, was initially destroyed by the hurricane. Although it was rebuilt, the clinic later suffered another blow when it burned down the day before it was scheduled to open. The Theodore plant, in conjunction with other local industries, spearheaded the effort to raise $120,000 to once again restore the clinic, including a $50,000 donation from Holcim. Plant officials also sponsored two medical students from Morehouse College to help out at the clinic.

In addition to this project, Holcim officials also coordinated with the local Habitat for Humanity office to support efforts to build new homes for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Holcim, in partnership with other local industries, arranged to have the concrete donated for all 11 Habitat for Humanity houses being built in the Belwood subdivision in Theodore. Holcim employees also provided volunteer labor on the building projects.

Added to the CSG honor, Holcim Ltd was recently named “Leader of the Industry” in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and acknowledged as the company with the best sustainability performance in the building materials industry for the second consecutive year.