Contractors, politicians threaten support for Casper, Wyoming business incubator

Casper area contractors and politicians all but promised to pull their support for a $10 million business incubator project at a standing-room-only meeting at Casper College this morning after local contractors expressed outrage at the process by which the construction manager for the project is being chosen.

The incubator has been planned for three years, with contributions and input from local governments, economic development boards and a federal agency that has kicked $2 million into the project.

A large and diverse cross section of Casper’s power structure — Natrona County commissioners, legislators, Casper City Council members, local businessmen and contractors — piled into the Strausner Student Center to voice displeasure with the Casper Area Economic Development Alliance and its decision to choose three out-of-state companies as the "most qualified" to serve as a manager for its business incubator project.

By PETE NICKEAS Star-Tribune staff writer

Full Story: http://trib.com/news/local/casper/article_8d9c1d82-7963-11df-b94c-001cc4c002e0.html

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Start over on bidding for incubator project

Star-Tribune editorial board

The Casper Area Economic Development Alliance serves an important function in Natrona County, promoting business development and job creation to help our region prosper.

In order for CAEDA to do its job well, it needs the confidence and support of the community. Both have been jeopardized by CAEDA officials’ handling of contracting for construction of a business incubator at the former Amoco refinery site.

CAEDA chose a process that deemed several local contractors unqualified to compete to be the construction manager at risk for the $10 million project, which will involve renovating and adding onto an existing brick building. Three out-of-state companies are the only firms now in the running to win the contract to serve as construction manager.

Full Story: http://trib.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_4fded85f-9e93-51ce-83bd-8e2c100d31b5.html