Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.
Joplin Concrete will lead a host of Missouri professionals in sponsoring “Ideas for a Stronger Joplin,” October 20, 2012, from 10 a.m–2 p.m., at the Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center in Joplin. Walter Wulf, CEO of Joplin parent company Monarch Cement, will be master of ceremonies for the free event framed around the PCA theme “Think Harder. Concrete,” which emphasizes rebuilding a strong and sustainable community and will provide Joplin residents the chance to learn more about green and resilient building.
The event’s theme of resilient building is of particular significance to city officials and residents as Joplin continues to rebuild after a devastating May 2011 one-mile-wide, EF5 multiple-vortex tornado struck the town, killing 158 and injuring around 1,000, making it the deadliest tornado in America since 1947. The National Weather Service reported damage to 75 percent of Joplin with nearly 7,000 houses destroyed, most of which were flattened or blown away, and more than 850 others damaged.
As part of the event, the community will have an opportunity to tour Convoy of Hope/TF insulated concrete form (ICF) homes and talk with building professionals. There will also be group presentations on a variety of rebuilding initiatives. Sponsored by PCA, it is the only such event scheduled for the four-state area.
“When we looked into the rebuilding efforts in Joplin, we were very impressed with the dedicated team of local companies that were using concrete to reconstruct better homes and businesses,” said Donn Thompson, PCA director of low-rise buildings. “This family-friendly event will allow community residents to see how concrete products are being used to provide a stronger, safer and greener Joplin.”
More than a dozen local companies dedicated to resilient and green building will join PCA and Joplin Concrete at the event, including GreenTown Joplin; TF Concrete Forming Systems; Project JOMO; and Global Green Building.
Monarch’s Wulf lived in Joplin during the 1970s and still has close ties to the community, and as such, Joplin Concrete is actively involved in rebuilding the city. “In my opinion, building smartly, safely, sustainably and energy efficiently are all necessary to keep friends safe and business and industry competitive,” said Wulf.
More information on the event and the Ideas for a Stronger Joplin movement can be found at www.think-harder.org/Joplin.
