×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Project BEST Breakfast a ‘Thank You’ To Construction Customers in Ohio Valley

Photo by Joselyn King Belmont County Commissioner Ginny Favede, left, exchanges holiday greetings with Keith Hughes of Jarvis, Downing & Emch Inc. during the Project BEST breakfast Wednesday at Oglebay Park.

Local trades took time out Wednesday to give a holiday thank you to businesses and local governments utilizing local union craftsmen for construction projects in 2016.

The 30th-annual Project BEST Breakfast took place Wednesday morning at Oglebay Park’s Wilson Lodge, with more than 300 in attendance. Started in 1969, Project BEST stands for “Building Efficiency by Striving Together.”

The group is a consortium of more than 400 contractors, the Ohio Valley Employers Council and over 6,000 building trades craftsmen and apprentices of the Ohio Valley Building and Construction Trades Council. It facilitates cooperation between construction labor and management working together to promote and advance the construction industry in the upper Ohio Valley.

Many attend the breakfast each year to hear the brand of humor delivered in remarks by Tom Cerra, co-chairman of Project BEST. But in words prior to the breakfast, Cerra said local trades are all business when it comes to providing work and services.

“On the serious side, the issue is always about the customer, and providing the best customer service,” Cerra said. “Our message is always about the customer, and the quality of construction services.”

And Project BEST believes the best formula for customer services is the following: Skill plus performance equals value.

Project BEST Customer Achievement Awards were presented by Project BEST Co-Chairman Joe Miller to entities involved with eight different construction projects in 2016:

∫ Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle for its new building in Chester;

∫ Belmont County Commission for construction of a Belmont County Senior Center in St. Clairsville;

∫ Marshall County Schools for renovations at John Marshall High School;

∫ The Shenango Auto Mall in New Castle, Pa. for construction of its new showroom utilizing contractors from the Ohio Valley;

∫ WesBanco Arena for work to build a new entry and atrium at the facility;

∫ Wheeling Hospital for site work completed this year to build a future continuous care center; and

∫ Wheeling Jesuit University received two awards from Project BEST. The first was for improvements to its dormitories, while the second was for the renovation of its press box.

Local colleges also were presented with endowment checks to encourage the teaching of building trades.

“We believe education is at the center of economic development,” Cerra said. “We give out scholarships and endowments, as well as support apprenticeship and jouneyman upgrading programs.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today