Whitley Environmental awarded $2.2 million contract for county's recyclables
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
A thrill more than two years in the making was realized for a new Whitley County business Tuesday night as Whitley Environmental was awarded the $2.2 million recycling contract through the Whitley County Solid Waste Management District.
The board met Tuesday to finalize details of their new recycling program and awarded the contract to an up and coming, Whitley County-based enterprise co-owned by Dwayne Knott of Columbia City and Steve Smith of South Whitley.
Knott, the owner of All Pro Towing for the past five years, and Smith are now in the process of securing all the resources needed to put their business to work managing the curbside recycling pickup and sorting for Whitley County with their new company, Whitley Environmental. Come January 2, 2010, with all set up in place, they’ll begin picking up recyclables from homes around Whitley County and will initiate the county’s first single stream recycling program – meaning a wider variety of recyclables will be accepted. The program is expected to be easier for residents to do as it requires no home sorting and includes a wider assortment of recyclable materials than previously allowed, including paper, plastics 1-7 and plastic bags.
A little over two and a half years ago, the men began formulating their business plan for the recycling business and approached the Whitley County Solid Waste Management District with a bid to oversee the curbside recycling pickup. At that time, National Serv-All was awarded an extension of their contract. So, while they put away the file they’d put together with plans, their dream of operating a recycling company in Whitley County wasn’t put away permanently.
Late this summer, Knott and Smith learned they’d again have an opportunity to bid for the county’s recycling contract.
“We wanted to bid on the new service and we were very interested in the conversion from dual stream to single stream recycling for Whitley County,” Knott said.
“We did a lot of research and found that in communities where this happens, there is over double the participating rate,” Knott added.
They took out their files and began determining what all would need to be done to again enter the bidding phase with the county. Fortunately, they’d kept all their original paperwork and contacts – so it wasn’t difficult to formulate a plan.
As a new business, the pair turned to Whitley County Economic Development Corporation president Alan Tio and Accelerating Innovation business incubator program director Sharon Sallot for guidance and support.
Smith added that Tio and Sallot have been extremely helpful in enabling them to get contract paperwork, insurance and bonds organized.
“They have always called us at the most needed time,” Smith said.
“We’ve met with them several times and we will be the first to go through the small business incubator program,” Knott said.
“Alan and Sharon have been very good at making connections for us,” added Knott.
Knott and Smith were both complimentary of county governmental officials for their support through the long bidding process and for their vote of confidence in their new company – and for keeping the contract in Whitley County.
“Everybody we’ve run in to has been supportive,” Smith said. “The board members had questions and even when they got into the negatives, they were fair. They’ve got a job to do, but they shook our hands and they treated up like community people.”
They were particularly pleased with the professionalism demonstrated by Whitley County Solid Waste Management District board president Mike Schrader, board attorney Earl Tison and director Jorell Tucker.
“A lot of the people who’ve been the most supportive of us have nothing in this,” he said, adding that even a company who was a competitor in the bidding process, has extended their congratulations and has offered advice anytime they need it. “That almost brought tears to my eyes,” Smith said.
“The support we’ve gotten from the community is overwhelming,” Knott said. “From the lending institutions to people just stopping us on the street – a lot of people are excited about us getting this contract. I feel like a NASCAR driver who just won a race. There were a lot of sleepless nights, but family and friends have been very supportive.”
Smith praised his wife. “She’s been by my side day and night,” he said, acknowledging that the changes this business brings will be challenging. In 30 days, he’ll leave the job he’s held for several years to lead his own company.
“We could have walked away from all of this without a contract and it would have been a good experience,” Smith said.
Both Smith and Knott feel that there is value in not only building their business in Whitley County, but also in working with Passages Inc. and employing local people.
“We want to see people in the community and know they’re proud of what we’re doing here,” Smith said. “That will provide even more of a reason to achieve and perform well.”
“We know there will be bumps, but when there is, we’ll be there to fix it,” Smith said.
Being there to fix the problems is what Whitley County Solid Waste Management District director Jorell Tucker is most looking forward to. Overseeing the county’s overall recycling program, Tucker is pleased to be able to call on local people to address issues in the curbside recycling pick up when they arise – instead of having to contact people in far off places to see to issues down the street.
“There are benefits to having a local contractor in place,” Tucker said. “They already know the community and they know the people whose recyclables they are picking up.”
Knott believes that a tenet passed on to him by a dear friend, Robert Krider, holds true. “He told me that if you surround yourself with good people, it will make you a better person,” Knott said. “Good things are certainly happening for us and we’re ready to hit the ground running. This is going to happen fast.”
Speaking of fast…within an hour of being awarded the contract, they’d already begun finalizing details, making orders and signing paperwork – after all, their new company has to be up and running in top form by January 2, 2010.
“Now that the contract is signed, everything will fall into place,” Knott said.
Knott said their recycling trucks are currently being built. One is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and the other is in Rolling Prairie, Indiana. A third backup truck was ordered on Wednesday.
They’ve made an offer to purchase the former CC Freight Lines building in the Gateway East Industrial Park, near WA Jones and Fort Wayne Foundry. The Whitley Environmental facility will include three buildings: one for sorting, a shop building to house trucks and a building for offices.
The new company also means new jobs for Whitley County.
Knott and Smith will manage the facility and plan to hire two recycling truck drivers, a swing shift driver, maintenance staff, office staff and will be working with Passages, Inc. to hire personnel to work in the recycling sorting area of the business.
“I think this is great,” Tucker said. “It’s a win-win for the community. We’re keeping everything local – we’re keeping everything local, keeping taxpayer dollars local, jobs local and we’re helping a non-profit agency, Passages Inc.”
“We’re also getting a more user friendly program and we’re expanding our materials list,” Tucker said of being able to allow the community to recycle more items and in an easier fashion.
While Whitley Environmental is busy building their business infrastructure over the next few months, Tucker will be busy preparing educational materials to help inform the community of the changes and benefits to the new program.
The motion to accept the bid for Whitley Environmental was made by Jim Fleck and seconded by Nicole Penrod. All board members including Don Amber, Mike Schrader and Glen Larue were in favor of the motion, except for Tom Rethlake, who was opposed. Board member John Hart was absent.