Lafarge North America, Inc. is investing approximately $10 million to relocate its U.S. headquarters from Virginia to Illinois. Lafarge will create more than 90 jobs in Illinois in the first two years and likely more than 100 jobs over three to four years. By moving its U.S. headquarters to Illinois, Lafarge will gain access to Illinois' pool of highly-skilled workers, world-class transportation infrastructure and central location.

Lafarge North America Inc. and four of its U.S. subsidiaries have agreed to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations. The violations include unpermitted discharges of stormwater at 21 stone, gravel, sand, asphalt and ready-mix concrete facilities in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, and New York. Stormwater flowing over concrete manufacturing facilities can carry debris, sediment and pollutants, including pesticides, petroleum products, chemicals and solvents, which can have a significant impact on water quality. Lafarge will implement a nationwide evaluation and compliance program at 189 of its similar facilities in the United States to ensure they meet Clean Water Act requirements. Lafarge will also pay a penalty of $740,000 and implement two supplemental environmental projects, in which the company will complete conservation easements to protect approximately 166 acres in Maryland and Colorado. The value of the land has been appraised at approximately $2.95 million. Lafarge will also implement one state environmentally beneficial project valued at $10,000 to support environmental training for state inspectors. The complaint, filed in federal court with the settlement, alleges a pattern of violations since 2006 that were discovered after several federal inspections at the company's facilities. The alleged violations included unpermitted discharges, violations of effluent limitations, inadequate management practices, inadequate or missing records and practices regarding stormwater compliance and monitoring, inadequate discharge monitoring and reporting, inadequate stormwater pollution prevention plans, and inadequate stormwater training.

Thirty-nine employees at the Lafarge North America, Inc's cement factory here have been laid off, most of them union workers, because of the continued economic downturn. The company said the facility, which includes a limestone quarry, has struggled to stay competitive following the 2008 collapse of the housing market, which has greatly reduced demand for cement used to make concrete. The Ravena plant has been running at about 50% of capacity since then, as prices fell and plant costs kept increasing.