MARION, ILLINOIS: Family Counseling Center, Inc., Executive Director, Larry W. Mizell, acknowledged his appreciation on Friday, January 12th to Mike Strang, Vice President of Evrard-Strang Construction, Inc. of Marion and Tom Caliper, Executive Director, of the Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council, on signing an agreement to utilize Illinois building trades skilled craftsmen during the construction of the Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility in Vienna.

“This is definitely a win-win situation for all involved in this project and for those who will enjoy the facility after its completion. We are happy to have Evrard-Strang Construction receive the bid on this four/plus million-dollar project, as well as to have quality union craft workmanship involved in building the facility. This building trades and construction agreement assures the timely and economical completion of the work with a formal process to provide for peaceful settlement of labor disputes, thus eliminating the risk of strikes or lockouts, while, at the same time, ensuring Illinois craftsmen are employed at prevailing wages in the construction of the facility,” stated Mizell.

Tom Caliper agreed, “This is the first opportunity we have had to utilize this agreement with Evrard-Strang Construction, and we look forward to the positive working relationship. Larry and I go way back in using this type of agreement. The State of Illinois first used the agreement in the construction of Tamms Supermax Correctional Center. Larry, then Chief Deputy with the Illinois Department of Corrections, and I were directly involved in making this happen. It was the right thing to do then, as it is now – using Illinois union skilled craftsmen and women in Illinois construction while cutting traditional construction timeframes, including cost, and establishing a formal process to resolve issues before they create some type of a problem. We are now using this agreement in many of the building projects throughout most of Illinois.

Mike Strang expressed his support of the agreement and the commitment of Evrard-Strang construction in continuing their history of quality workmanship on the Autumn Ridge project. “We are committed to completing this facility within the tight timeframe and look forward to standing proudly with Family Counseling Center and the Egyptian Building and Construction Trades Council for a job well done upon completion. This will be a first class facility upon completion. Rodney Evrard and I are proud to be a part of this project.”

The 46 apartment complex, Autumn Ridge Supportive Living Facility, is scheduled to be completed by September 2007. It is funded primarily by Peoples National Bank and USDA Rural Development with initial grant funds through Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone, Inc. and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation of Chicago. Architechniques, Ltd. Of Herrin is Family Counseling Center’s architect. Mott Excavating, Inc. of Vienna is completing the site preparation.