Lehigh Hanson commits up to $500,000 in support of CIU’s revitalization efforts along Monticello Road

By Bob Holmes

Lehigh Hanson, Inc, has announced that its Hanson Aggregates subsidiary in Columbia is committed to donating up to $500,000 to Columbia International University in support of CIU’s revitalization efforts along Monticello Road, the corridor to the CIU campus. The company, which has operations near Monticello Road, presented an initial donation of $100,000 to the university on Aug. 20.

CIU has purchased seven properties transforming the formerly blighted area into a commercially-viable district. A Dairy Queen/convenience store combo will be situated on three lots at the corner of Monticello Road and Peeples Street just off Interstate 20. A new sheriff’s department substation will be located on another nearby lot. Negotiations continue with other businesses who are considering Monticello Road an excellent location for growth. CIU cleared the properties of vacant buildings and a barroom earlier this year.

Scott Dickson, Vice President & General Manager for Hanson Aggregates Southeast LLC was on the CIU campus to meet CIU President Dr. Mark Smith and present him with a check for the donation and discuss the importance of CIU’s efforts.

“The university has taken a leadership position on this, and the fact that we’re in the building materials business, and can support improvements in the community just fits with the message of Lehigh Hanson,” Dickson said. “What we’re trying to do is be more and more involved with the communities where we live and work. This is a great example of that.”

CIU President Dr. Mark Smith says it is critical to have partnerships with companies such as Lehigh Hanson who want to see crime reduced, economic development in the area improved, and jobs created.

“Those are things that universities care about and we want to partner with them,” Smith said. “As more partners come together you’re going to see this community change for the better.”

Hanson Aggregates Southeast LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lehigh Hanson, Inc. Based in Irving, Texas, Lehigh Hanson, Inc. and its affiliated companies are part of the HeidelbergCement Group, the global market leader in aggregates with leading positions in cement, concrete and other downstream activities.

Columbia International University ranks #1 among colleges and universities in South Carolina by BestColleges.com. Excitement is growing on campus with CIU’s first baseball program in development, and online with CIU’s new Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.