Firm earns millions in base contracts
By Kenneth Fine
Published in News on October 4, 2007 2:28 PM
A Goldsboro construction company was recently awarded a contract it says will keep more than $23 million right here in Wayne County.
Daniels and Daniels beat out national competition for the project, one that will culminate in the construction of three buildings on Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
Project manager Jeremiah Daniels said the news is still being celebrated.
"We are really excited," he said. "This is going to be a great opportunity for us. We have been crossing our fingers for months."
Once completed, the buildings -- a squadron operations building, simulator building and corrosion-control hangar -- will support eight KC-135R Stratotankers that are joining the 916th Air Refueling Wing as part of Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations.
Daniels said a great deal of pride will be taken in the project -- that hard work will be a tribute to the efforts of Team Seymour airmen.
"It's great to support our military," he said. "Supporting our troops and what they do for our country, there is a lot of pride associated with that."
And even more pride comes in knowing the local economy will get a boost from the project when the money could have easily gone somewhere else.
"We are keeping that job here -- keeping that money in town," Daniels said. "And it's not just Goldsboro. We're talking about Wayne County and Eastern North Carolina, too."
It has been a good few years for Daniels and Daniels, which is currently wrapping up a $4 million restoration project at Goldsboro's original City Hall.
Daniels chalks up submitting the right bids to "good luck."
"Especially with jobs where we have local competition, we have just had the lucky number," he said. "And we've got good relationships with the local subcontractors, so they give us a good price. They want that project, too."
Now that the firm has been hired, Daniels expects design work to begin within the next several weeks on the site and foundation.
He can't wait to get started.
"We're ready to go," he said. "We're really just chomping at the bit here."
The company received more good news Friday when officials learned the firm had been awarded a second project on the base.
Phase 10 of the base housing effort will involve the demolition of 110 existing duplexes and construction of 50 new ones.
Daniels said the timeline for both projects are similar, as is the total money awarded for the contract.