PEP TALK - Quarterly Community Newsletter | April 2024 | |
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Dear Community Members:
I'm excited to share the first PEP Talk - our Quarterly Community Newsletter! Our goal is to share exciting sustainability initiatives from our members, as well as environmental events and issues important to our area.
Since PEP’s inception in 2000, our mission has been improving the quality of life along the northern Gulf Coast by prioritizing science-based environmentally sustainable practices through common sense education and advocacy. Our 200 member companies employ approximately 22,000 local people. PEP is a business community that prioritizes economic growth balanced and compatible with conserving and enhancing the natural resources that make the central Gulf Coast a unique, healthy, and desirable place to live, work and raise a family.
I look forward to sharing these quarterly updates with you. Please read on for the latest news and information!
Jennifer Denson, Executive Director
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WHAT IS THE EAGLE REEF PROJECT?
The Eagle Reef is a solution for the loss of natural oyster and grass beds, which has contributed to the reduction of numerous fish species.
The Eagle Reef began as an Eagle Scout service project conducted by John Shell. The project’s goal: restoring and revitalizing our marine and coastal ecosystems by deploying mini reefs across Coastal Alabama.
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HOW IT WORKS
In the first six months after installation, the reefs are loaded with filter feeders including oysters and barnacles, filtrating and cleaning more than 7.3 million gallons of water annually and attracting fish to the waters surrounding the reefs. In addition, the reefs provide habitats that generate thousands of fish and crabs per year. Each reef comes preassembled, tied between four pilings under a dock or wharf and floats up and down with the tide.
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YOUR SUPPORT MAKES THE EAGLE REEF POSSIBLE!
PEP member companies and community partners are making it possible for us to reach our goal of 1,000 Eagle Reefs, filtering 7.3 billion gallons of water annually! Thank you to our members and partners for becoming an Eagle Reef sponsor: BASF, APM Terminals, AM/NS Calvert, Alabama Port Authority, Alabama Power, Spire, Hargrove Engineers+Constructors, Core Industries, J.L. Bedsole Foundation, Project C.A.T.E. Foundation, Arkema, Canfor Southern Pine, Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, LLC, Lenzing Fibers, High-Purity Silicon America Corporation, Thompson Engineering, Third Coast Safety, Cain & Associates, Dog River Clearwater Revival, and the City of Fairhope.
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PEP MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST RECAP: ELECTRIFYING THE FUTURE OF TUGBOAT DESIGN
During PEP’s March Member Breakfast, our speakers discussed the current and future state of the marine industry. Garrett Rice, President of Master Boat Builders, and Richard Tremayne, Marine Business ManageR at Thompson Marine, shared their insights on the evolution toward hybrid and electric tugs. The collaboration between the two companies, extending over three-and-a-half decades, has resulted in innovation in the waters of the Bayou.
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2023 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARDS
Since 2005, the PEP Board of Directors has presented the PEP Environmental Stewardship Awards to recognize PEP members whose work has made a significant and positive contribution to the Gulf Coast region in three crucial areas: economic growth, environmental health and social responsibility.
The 2023 Environmental Stewardship Award recipients were recognized at PEP’s 23rd Annual Meeting held on September 7, 2023 at the USA MacQueen Alumni Center. Last year’s recipients exhibited exemplary commitment to the protection and betterment of Coastal Alabama.
Learn more about last year’s recipients and projects at the video below!
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MEET OUR 2023 PEP SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: ZACHARY BURKETT
Congratulations to our 2023 PEP Science and Technology Scholarship Recipient - Zachary Burkett!
Zachary Burkett is a full-time undergraduate Civil Engineering student at the University of South Alabama. He is currently a sophomore on the President’s List with a 4.0 GPA. . After completing his degree, he aspires to design and construct systems that mitigate plastic waste, fostering a cleaner and more ethical society. Zachary’s father is David Burkett, an employee of Outokumpu Stainless.
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AUSTAL USA EXPANDS MANUFACTURING CAPACITY WITH DESIGN FOR NEW FACILITY AND SHIPLIFT
Austal USA announced the start of design for a new manufacturing facility, part of a major expansion for its shipyard in Mobile. It will sit south of Austal’s current waterfront facility and include a new assembly building, waterfront improvements and a new shiplift system. To begin this summer, it will also include a shiplift that will launch ships as they are completed in the assembly buildings. The system will also enable retrieving ships and bringing them back to the land-side facility. Read more about this exciting new expansion.
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RANSOM EXPANDS ELECTRONICS RECYCLING
Ransom Recycling of Chickasaw has announced it will soon be the only local organization recycling electronics. United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile (UCP), which also had an electronics recycling operation, has decided to discontinue its operation to focus more on its other programs. Ransom Recycling will be providing services for its existing accounts and customers and is adding UCP’s electronics recycling employees to its team.
Ransom Recycling has been in operation since 2015. It was founded by nonprofit Ransom Ministries shortly after beginning its Ransom ReProgram employment social enterprise. The two programs, it says, “realized the need for participants to be able to rapidly attach to a job and have a source of income.”
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THOMPSON ENGINEERING ANNOUNCES SPANISH FORT OFFICE ADDITION
Thompson Engineering has opened a branch office in Spanish Fort, Ala. Staff assigned to the office provide engineering, surveying, and ground penetrating radar (GPR) services.
“Baldwin County is growing rapidly and many of the businesses coming to this area of the state are looking for engineering-related services to help them launch as quickly as possible,” said Kendall Kilpatrick, Thompson Engineering CEO. “That’s why we’re positioning surveying, GPR and drone technology in Spanish Fort. These field services create the foundation for a successful investment.”
The Spanish Fort office is Thompson Engineering’s third office to open in Baldwin County in three years. Thompson Engineering opened an office in Daphne in 2022 and one in Orange Beach in 2021. Thompson Engineering is headquartered in Mobile and also operates branch offices in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Ala.
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APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE 2024 CITIZENS WATER ACADEMY
Discover the inner workings of the Mobile Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) and learn how they "Keep Water Working" by joining the 2024 Citizens Water Academy!
The Citizens Water Academy offers an exclusive chance to gain insight into infrastructure updates and proactive initiatives driving economic prosperity. Delve into discussions about the costs associated with water and wastewater services, common issues, their causes, and effective resolutions.
As a public utility dedicated to providing quality services to commercial, industrial, and residential customers, MAWSS is committed to transparency and community engagement.
There is no charge for this unique opportunity. Snacks are available during each session. By signing up, you commit to attending all four sessions on the following dates:
Session #1: Thursday, May 2, from 5 to 8 pm
Session #2: Wednesday, May 8, from 5 to 8 pm
Session #3: Tuesday, May 14, from 5 to 8 pm
Tour Day: Saturday, May 18, from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm
All sessions are at the MAWSS main office board room at 4725 Moffett Rd, Mobile, AL 36618.
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JOIN US FOR THE PEP NETWORKING SOCIAL
Join us for a Taco Bar, Beer, and Business Connections! Learn more about PEP membership and network with industry leaders on April 23rd at our PEP Networking Social. Bring a friend and hear all about the exciting events we have planned at PEP and how our local environmental organization can help you and your company.
Register by emailing Lindsey@pepmobile.org the name(s) of those attending. If you bring a potential PEP member, you will be entered into a special raffle! There is no charge to attend.
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REGISTER FOR THE 24TH ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Make plans now to join us for one of the most popular PEP events of the year - the 24th Annual Golf Tournament! More than 250 business leaders attend this annual event for course games & prizes, great food and networking. Registration details are available now on the event page!
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THANK YOU TO OUR GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORS!
Our golf tournament wouldn't be the success it is without the continued support of our sponsors!
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