Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, January 22, 1994                   TAG: 9401220284
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

MINORITY FIRM GETS CONTRACT HOTEL ROANOKE DEAL WORTH $3 MILLION

It is the largest subcontract awarded so far and represents 13 percent of construction costs. Roanoke officials and the project's general contractors hailed the announcement Friday as evidence that efforts to make sure local, black- and women-owned businesses get part of the work are paying off.

F.N. Thompson and J.M. Turner, general contractors, chose PMC for the roofing and drywall work, fireproofing, concrete finishing and painting.

Ken Haley is president of PMC, a company that has been in business since 1975. He said the contract shows that the city, general contractors and Virginia Tech have a commitment to hiring local and minority businesses.

Councilman William White said he believes it is the largest contract ever awarded to a black-owned company in the Roanoke Valley, either on a public or private project. He said he hopes it is a sign of things to come.

"Local and minority involvement in this project has been a key issue for City Council," White said.

"With announcements like this, Roanoke will be seen throughout the Commonwealth as a leader in local and minority participation on Major Projects," he said.

Councilman James Harvey, chairman of the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center Commission, said the announcement shows that the local and minority participation program is more than just talk.

"It shows Turner/Thompson's commitment to accomplishing the goals set by the city and Virginia Tech," Harvey said. "It is a major victory for the project."

Alvin Nash, contract coordinator and the person who has led the effort on local and minority participation, said there will be more announcements soon about local and minority subcontractors.

The city and general contractors had set a goal of 50 percent of subcontracting work going to local businesses, 9 percent of which would be going to minority-owned firms.

Now, Nash says minority participation might reach 18 percent.

Bob Schneider, project manager for Thompson/Turner, said PMC was awarded "We've been struggling for eight months. This a victory for local participation program, PMC, the city and Virginia Tech," Nash said. Ray Smoot, vice president for finance and treasurer for Virginia Tech, agreed.i

"From the beginning we have stressed local and minority participation in the construction and equipping of the project. We will continue to work aggressively to stress local and minority participation," Smoot said.

Bob Schneider, project manager for Thompson/Turner, said PMC was awarded the contract based on its qualifications and work experience.

Haley said his company has worked on large projects in several states, but this is the largest contract he has been awarded in the Roanoke Valley.

"It's a great feeling to get something like this without having to travel several hundred miles," Haley said. It's difficult to say how many workers will be needed for the roofing, painting and concrete finishing work, he said.

White has urged the city staff to closely monitor the hiring of local workers, minorities and women - both during the construction and for permanent jobs after the hotel and conference center open.