TOM MAST Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Sunday, July 12, 2009 12:00 am
Haselden Construction expects to complete $35 million to $40 million worth of projects in Wyoming this year, and despite the sluggish economy, company officials hope to maintain about the same level of work next year.
J.J. Rams, president of the company's Wyoming division, said if the economy does begin to turnaround, firms with a strong local presence are likely to see less competition from out-of-state contractors. "If they find work in their own state, they'll pursue that first," he said.
Haselden Construction has an office in Casper; its headquarters are in Denver.
Haselden is working on several large construction projects in Wyoming this summer. These include the $14.5 million Woodland Park Elementary School in Sheridan, due for completion in September; the $14 million Saint Anthony Tri-Parish Catholic School in Casper, due to begin this month; the nearly $15 million Berry Biodiversity and Conservation Center at the University of Wyoming, set to begin soon; the recently completed, $25 million IT building at UW; and the $3.5 million Fort Washakie Business Entrepreneur Center.
The Wyoming division is the fastest growing part of Haselden's business.
"Wyoming represents a real focus for our company, and as we win more projects, it's natural for us to want to add more people in Casper," CEO Ed Haselden said in a prepared statement.
There are currently five people working out of the Casper office.
Business Editor Tom Mast can be reached at tom.mast@trib.com, or call 307-266-0574. Or check out his "Two Bits Worth" blog at tribtown.trib.com/TomMast/blog