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Highlands Today

Local subcontractors working on veterans building

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By JIM KONKOLY

Highlands Today

Published: April 24, 2009

SEBRING - Joseph Dionne, director of Highlands County Veterans Services, said Thursday the claim by the Highlands County Builders Association that no local subcontractors are working on the new Veterans Services building is wrong.

In fact, Dionne said, at least 14 of the 32 firms hired as subcontractors by the general contractor, Coral Sands of North Port, are local companies.
Dionne said David Griggs, co-owner of Coral Sands, made and kept a commitment to hire as many local subcontracting firms to work on the project as possible.

"When we signed the contract, we asked David Griggs that he employ or try to use as many local subcontractors as he could," Dionne said. "He said he would and he has."

Earlier this week, Mike Secor, president of the builders association, submitted a 21-page proposal to the commissioners suggesting steps to stimulate the local economy.

In that stimulus proposal, and in an interview with Highlands Today, Secor said no local subcontractors are working on the new Veterans Services building.

"That is not the information I've got," Secor said, when told of Dionne's statements. "I will follow up on it and if I am wrong I will correct it."

Highlands Today reporter Jim Konkoly can be reached at 863-386-5855 or e-mail jkonkoly@highlanstoday.com

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