‘Things are moving along well’ with Corvac

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By Angela Shepherd [email protected]

The progress of an auto industry supplier coming to Greenfield and bringing 200 jobs with it was noted at Wednesday’s meeting of the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Shane Wilkin said that he and deputy clerk Nicole Oberrecht met with representatives of Corvac Composites recently and Wilkin reported that, “Things are moving along well.”

Though, Wilkin noted, maybe not as quickly as the company would like. But, progress is being made in the process of Corvac Composites acquiring the former RR Donnelley building in Greenfield, he said.

“To date, we don’t foresee any issues,” Wilkin said, adding that the company continues to anticipate starting production in early 2016.

As previously reported, commissioners announced last week that a preliminary agreement had been reached with the auto industry supplier to purchase the Greenfield property that has sat vacant since RR Donnelley pulled up its Greenfield stakes two years ago.

More than 200 jobs are anticipated with the arrival of the new employer.

Greenfield City Manager Ron Coffey said last week that “at the appropriate time” Corvac will announce how people can apply for employment.

In other business, commissioners accepted a bid for $74,700 from Gilbert Construction to replace the stucco of the Hi-Tech Center with metal siding.

The “facelift,” Wilkin said, is not cosmetic, but needed due to water intrusion into the building.

Work will commence following a construction meeting between commissioners and the contractor.

Two bids were opened in Wednesday’s meeting for the HVAC system at the Hi-Tech Center. Commissioners plan to have a decision on the matter by next week following a review of the bids by DS2 Architects, which has handled the projects.

On another matter, Wilkin noted that commissioners continue to monitor the funds in regard to children in foster care outside of the county. It’s an issue, Wilkin said, “that’s still a struggle” for the county.

As previously reported, the number of foster kids in the county far outnumber the available foster homes locally, so many kids in care have to be sent elsewhere, which costs the county more money.

For more information about adoption or becoming a foster parent, contact Highland County Children Services at 937-393-3111.

Commissioner Tom Horst discussed the progress on the Carl Smith/Hobart Drive project, saying that it’s “moving right along.”

He said he talked to a foreman on the project recently and was told that if the weather cooperates, it is anticipated that the new road will be opened up to the Lowe’s entrance by the end of next week.

Commissioner Jeff Duncan continues to work on needs at the dog pound.

In a June meeting, dividers between the kennels were discussed, and on Wednesday Duncan said a solution to the caging needs at the pound is being worked on by a local kennel designer.

Also at that meeting, Duncan said he received quotes from two companies for $500 and $300 per galvanized panel to be put between the 20 kennels at the pound. Since then Duncan has researched the matter further in regard to lower costs and other materials that may be able to be used instead of metal.

A proposal from the kennel designer is expected to be brought before the commissioners at a future meeting.

Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.

Photo: Commissioners Jeff Duncan and Shane Wilkin are pictured during Wednesday’s meeting of the Highland County Board of Commissioners.

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