Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Submitted by MCA

After years of anticipation, the new low-level north span bridge, which connects Kawehno:ke to the city of Cornwall, is officially set to begin construction.  The announcement was made back in August, with the support of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.  The construction of the new low-level 3 Nations Bridge is set to begin its first phase in May of 2011, with a tentative date for completion sometime in 2014.  In keeping with agreements made with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Federal Bridge Corporation, Mohawks will be offered a portion of the contracting and construction work.  

On Tuesday, October 12th, a pre-tender meeting was held here in Akwesasne at the A’nowarako:wa Arena, hosted by the MCA Department of Economic Development. Present at the meeting were 38 business representatives, as well as representatives from Akwesasne businesses and community members interested in applying for work on the new bridge. The vast majority of the 22 companies who have already obtained tender documents were present at this meeting.  The meeting was held to allow Akwesasne contractors, suppliers and individual tradespeople to exchange information with the General Contractors bidding on this portion of the project.  The general contractors present were given a firsthand view of Kawehnoke with a nice, long walk to the construction area, returning back to the arena, they enjoyed lunch, provided by Patina’s Catering Services, also of Kawehnoke.

It is important to note that all Mohawk businesses interested in work on the bridge must be registered with the MCA Department of Economic Development.  Phase 1 of the work will establish a local Akwesasne databank, which will assist in the next 3 phases of work to be completed, and the databanks must be continuously updated. Therefore, it is very important for anyone currently registered with the Department of Economic Development to ensure your business and contact information is current and up to date.   

All trades people must be registered with the Akwesasne Employment Resource Center. Contact Colleen Nolan, facilitator, at 518-358-3047. The Akwesasne Employment Resource Center is at the four corners in Hogansburg, 611 State Route 37. Please stop by to register so you can be included in the databank - your information will then be distributed to the General Contractors who have obtained the Tender document request list.

If you are interested in work on the bridge, you must register with MCA Department of Economic Development by October 29th, 2010, 4:00pm.  Your business information will then be distributed to the General Contractors who have obtained the Tender document request list, and are looking to work with Akwesasne local contractors, suppliers or independent contractors and tradespeople.

Please contact Cheryl Jacobs, EDO of MCA Economic Development, at 613-575-2250 ext. 1050