It’s a momentous week for our industry!
The Department of Commerce (DOC) published the draft Order in the Federal Register. It’s a tremendous milestone on the path to a CMU Checkoff and a tremendous milestone to ensure a better future for the masonry industry. I am excited for the potential!
What does this mean for you? The draft Order provides the framework for the Concrete Masonry Unit Checkoff: how it will work; how the board is structured; how collections occur; etc. It is consistent with what we submitted to the Department of Commerce and shared with you through our CMU Checkoff website in April. What is new is your opportunity to formally weigh in with your comments.
For the next 45 days (until October 8), producers, the industry, and the public as a whole are invited to comment on the draft Order and the supporting information provided by the Department of Commerce. Those comments can be your support of the checkoff, your questions or comments, or anything else that may be on your mind. It’s worth noting that all comments may be made public by the Department of Commerce. You can also look at the following link for tips related to creating a comment for the Federal Register. Please note, we do anticipate another posting in the Federal Register related to the actual referendum.
In the coming days, we will continue to provide information to you in several ways, including on our CMU Checkoff LinkedIn page (be sure to connect/follow with us individually and through your company’s LinkedIn page), ongoing e-blasts and e-newsletters and through a series of regional Town Hall forums planned for September.
I’ve always believed a checkoff is the best way for us as an industry to work together to regain market share, build new demand and drive preference for concrete masonry products. I also believe that the need for the checkoff is greater now than it has ever been. If we aren’t prepared to tell the story of why masonry is better, more resilient, more nimble and provides the greatest return on investment, then I don’t know who will do it. Let’s get this checkoff to the finish line and take control of the future of masonry.
Best,
Major Ogilvie
CMU Checkoff Chair
