ABC Alabama members travel to Montgomery to visit legislators

In late May, Associated Builders and Contractors - Alabama members gathered in Montgomery for their annual Day on the Hill. Legislative Committee Chairman Ronnie Pool, Lowder Construction Co. Inc., Montgomery, opened the meeting.

ABC lobbyist Mike Weeks introduced Troy King, legal advisor to Gov. Bob Riley, who shared comments from the governor and asked the construction industry to support him while he does the job ABC sent him to do.

Ronnie Poole reviewed the governor's proposed tax reform legislation and gave attendees a written synopsis along with a schedule of the special session for the day. Everyone spent the morning visiting legislators during the morning and met at the Cattlemen's Association building for lunch and a sharing of information from the Hill.

During the luncheon, Rep. Mike Hubbard was guest speaker.

Barnhart Crane & Rigging Co., based in Memphis, Tenn., recently purchased Taylor Crane Rental and Rigging, located in Gadsden, Ala.

The new branch will provide specialized transportation, machinery moving services and crane service, for industrial contractors and manufacturers in north Alabama, southeastern Tennessee and northwest Georgia.

According to Barnhart Vice President - Branch Operations Randy Lewis, Taylor Crane has an "excellent reputation" for service and safety. The company has been in business for 31 years, while Barnhart has been in business for 33 years.

According to Shawn Swanson, Barnhart's north Alabama branch manager, the new office is near I-59 and is close to both Birmingham and Chattanooga.