Dorches ter County Supports Local Businesses | Letters | Summerville Journal Scene

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Dorches ter County Supports Local Businesses

Published Thursday, July 22, 2010 4:31 PM

Summerville Journal Scene ®

Dear Editor,

Dennis Ashley’s Letter to the Editor of July 14, 2010 incorrectly states that Dorchester County does not support design firms in the County or local economic development. In February 2010, County Council passed Ordinance 10-04, “An Ordinance to Amend the Dorchester County Centralized Procurement Ordinance Number 83-05 to Provide for a Dorchester County Vendor Preference.” This ordinance provides that the lowest responsive and responsible vendor located in Dorchester County who is within five percent of the lowest non-Dorchester County vendor which would be awarded the bid is given an opportunity to match the bid submitted by the non-Dorchester County vendor. This ordinance was passed because the County Council desired to support local businesses when awarding contracts. Some examples of local vendors being hired for capital projects are The Ponds EMS/Fire Station (architect was Southeastern Design and contractor was Atrium Builders), EMS Headquarters/Medic One (architect was Southeastern Design and contractor was Stenstrom and Associates), St. George QuickJobs Center (architect was Rosenblum Coe and contractor Stenstrom and Associates), Dorchester County and St. George EMS/Fire Station (architect is Southeastern Design and contractor is IP Builders), and Dorchester County Summerville Airport (architect was LPA group and contractor was Emory Infinger). In addition to the general contractors, most of the subcontractors for mechanical, HVAC, etc., are local. Also, Dennis Ashley was hired in the past to design the County Jail Addition in 1992. The contractor was Limehouse and Frampton, a local firm. The women’s wing of the County Jail was designed by Southeastern Design and the contractor was Emory Infinger.

Mr. Ashley also states that the “St. George Library project will require the efforts of fourteen design professionals, including their staff.” The architectural firm of JDMS, Inc., which is located in Sumter, was hired for the renovation and expansion of the St. George Library based on the firm’s extensive work statewide on libraries and renovations similar to the one in St George. Daniel Shelley is the architect of record, and he has a staff of six, two of them being administrative assistants. The selection process for this project was open and competitive, and only one firm from Dorchester County submitted a proposal.

Finally, Dorchester County has invested millions of dollars in economic development efforts over the past five years for the sole purpose of bringing jobs to the County. By going after state and federal grants, including securing a $2.5 million EDA grant for water and sewer to a new business park at US Highway 17A and SC Highway 61, we are reducing the percentage of residents who drive out of the county for work.

Best regards,

Jason L. Ward, County Administrator

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