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Update on the Federal Prison
By Cathy Patton
Local officials joined Congressman Nick Rahall last week on a tour of the federal prison now under construction at the Indian Ridge Industrial Park. Those who accompanied Rahall included Assessor Dennis Altizer, Circuit Clerk Mike Brooks, Senator John Fanning, Sheriff Danny Mitchell, County Commissioner Carl Urps and Delegate Clif Moore.
The Indian Ridge Industrial Park is a project of the McDowell County Commission.
Clark Construction Senior Project Manager Omar McIntosh, Senior Project Superintendent Sid Harmon and Federal Bureau of Prisons Contracting Officer D. H. Simmons provided an update on the prison, prior to giving the group a tour of the site.
McIntosh noted that the project is running ahead of schedule and is 30 percent done. The project is expected to be fully complete by November 15, 2009 and will open in 2010. After completion, it typically takes three to nine months to activate the prison, depending on how quickly the prison is funded.
About 45 to 50 contractors will work on the project during the construction phase. Approximately 280 people are currently employed there.
“The number (of workers) will double in the summer,” McIntosh said.
The medium security prison will house 700 to 800 men. The number will increase if the prisoners are double bunked, he said. The facility will also have a special unit of minimum-security prisoners who will work to maintain the prison grounds.
The prison will feature a number of amenities, including a softball field, a soccer field, a track and basketball court.
The project, McIntosh said, has generated a lot of interest and plenty of community support.
Simmons added that the federal prison’s annual budget would be around $30 million. If the prison receives 100 percent funding, it will employ about 300 people. About 30 BOP senior staffers will be brought to the Indian Ridge facility, but 50 percent of the employees will be hired locally, if they qualify.
Age restrictions mandate that all new employees be age 37 or younger because of the mandatory retirement at age 57. The age requirements do not apply to the prison doctor, the paid chaplain and certain contractors.
Everyone who is hired at the prison is required to attend three weeks of special training in Georgia.
It was noted during the meeting that the county will not receive tax dollars from the federal prison. The local benefits are derived from the contractors who pay local taxes and the money that is infused into the economy through them and the employees who utilize area businesses, such as stores, motels, etc.
When the prison opens, the prisoners’ visiting families will continue to utilize local services.
Local merchants must be set up to accept government VISA cards, if they plan to do business with the contractors.
“If they’re not, it’s a problem that is easily fixed,” said McIntosh.
Typically, the BOP will accept employment applications three months prior to the opening of the prison, or prospective employees may apply now at another facility and then ask for transfer to the Indian Ridge site. Applications are taken online. For additional information, check usajobs.gov .
TOURING THE FEDERAL PRISON - A number of local officials joined Congressman Nick Rahall last week on a tour of the federal prison now under construction at the Indian Ridge Industrial Park.
Pictured are Assessor Dennis Altizer, Circuit Clerk Mike Brooks, State Senator John Fanning, Congressman Rahall; (top row) Clark Construction Senior Project Manager Omar McIntosh, Sheriff Danny Mitchell, Senior Project Superintendent Sid Harmon, County Commissioner Carl Urps and Delegate Clif Moore. (Photo by Cathy Patton)
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