As Michigan's best known construction industry publisher, Mertz championed good roads and highways in his native state for more than 50 years. Under his leadership, Michigan Contractor & Builder not only reported the news but steadfastly supported and defended the industry and promoted its growth and development. As an individual, Mertz drew on his wide circle of friends and professional contacts in groups ranging from equipment dealers to paving organizations and road agencies to serve as a catalyst for many causes helpful to the industry. He helped to galvanize them into action and to solve their industry-wide problems. Supportive of education, he was a founding trustee of the Upper Peninsula Road Builders Memorial Scholarship Fund.