NRC chairman's column: Grassroots events cultivate productive relationships and a strong industry

After a decade of experience, the NRC has learned a thing or two about holding grassroots events with our members and elected officials. The primary lesson learned is that they get results. Grassroots events have become a fundamental building block of the NRC’s advocacy effort.

The NRC established its grassroots program in 2012 to give members of Congress firsthand exposure to and knowledge of rail industry operations. Since then, dozens of elected officials have met with employees at numerous grassroots events at NRC member facilities and construction project sites. Those meetings planted seeds that have grown into long-standing relationships between our members and their elected officials.

Although the pandemic put a temporary hold on our grassroots events, the tide has turned. NRC members have hosted a handful of events so far this year — with more planned — and are enthusiastic proponents.

“I highly recommend hosting a grassroots event,” affirms Dave Ferryman, senior vice president, Pueblo business unit, for EVRAZ North America. “Our event helped EVRAZ establish a connection with our elected officials. They gained a better understanding of the value we create for the local economy and our industry. The meeting also motivated our employees. They know that their elected officials find value in what they do.

“At our facility in Pueblo, we toured the construction of our new long-rail mill and the solar farm that provides up to 90 percent of the energy we consume,’ Ferryman adds. “Providing this exposure to our growth and green energy projects has generated good PR for our company and for the railway supply community, too.”

Chase Armstrong, vice president of commercial development with R. J. Corman Railroad Group LLC., says his company has benefitted from hosting grassroot events at several facilities. “They’ve given elected representatives insight into the importance of the rail industry and provided a firsthand understanding of the employment impact on the economy in a particular region and across the country,” he says. “These events have allowed R. J. Corman team members to interact with the elected officials and to show them our day-to-day operations, facilities and footprint. These visits also create an opportunity to discuss industry concerns, the value of good rail policy at the federal level, and the impact on jobs and the economy that different investment efforts have had in their district’s transportation and production infrastructure.”

Kellen Desmond, president A&K Railroad Materials, shares a similar experience following a recent grassroots event.

“The event at our facility in Kansas City, Kansas, proved to be a great way to engage our employees, the industry and our local U.S. representative,” Desmond says. “The NRC did much of the heavy lifting to put this event together in a matter of weeks. We were fortunate our congresswoman took a genuine interest in our business. She spent additional time in discussions with our team and on a tour our manufacturing facility.”

NRC grassroots efforts really do get results. Investment in years of grassroots and other advocacy work has positioned the NRC to positively advance our industry. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a recent example.

Your participation is an important part of telling the rail industry’s compelling story. Learn more about the NRC’s grassroots program by contacting Mike McGonagle, the NRC’s vice president of operations.

“Building a Safer and Stronger Railway Construction Industry Together!”

Steve Bolte, NRC chairman
The National Railroad Construction & Maintenance Association Inc.
80 M Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
202-715-2920
nrcma.org • info@nrcma.org