In a recent government meeting, discussions centered around a request for a local access waiver related to the CODA on Kraus project, located at the intersection of East Genesee and North Kraus. The project, managed by general contractor Huber Brewer, is progressing well, but an unexpected challenge arose concerning the cleaning contract.

Huber Brewer's representative, John Michael Dubey, explained that the original cleaning contractor, A&M Collaborations, withdrew just days before the scheduled start, leaving the team scrambling to find a replacement. After reaching out to multiple companies, Collins Caulking and Waterproofing LLC, which operates outside the six-county region, was selected due to their ability to mobilize quickly and effectively. The contract for this cleaning work amounts to $130,000, representing a mere 0.2% of the overall project budget.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the engagement of local firms in such opportunities. Board member Ricky highlighted the need for better outreach to local minority- and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) to ensure they are aware of available contracts. He suggested utilizing state and city-maintained registries to enhance the bidding process for local companies, which often miss out on opportunities due to a lack of awareness.

The discussion concluded with a commitment from Huber Brewer to explore ways to improve communication and outreach to local businesses, acknowledging the importance of fostering local economic participation in future projects.