Flight 93 Memorial News

Local Vendors Meet to Prepare for Flight 93 Construction 

SOMERSET COUNTY, PA -- It was another step Thursday night towards 
the completion of the Flight 93 permanent memorial. WJAC has learned 
about some new funding and efforts underway to make sure local  
contractors benefit from the project. 

The  U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved $1.4 million to fund 
the new entrance and access road leading to the Flight 93 memorial in 
Somerset County.  Someone is going to have to build it, and that's what 
Thursday night's meeting with the National Park Service was all about: 
helping local contractors get the job. 

Video  conference technology was a huge help as a packed room of 
about 50 local vendors got a lesson in federal contracting. 

"It's  very technical applying for these large construction jobs," said 
Joann  Hanley with the National Park Service. "They are learning what 
the steps are in applying." 

The ultimate goal is to make sure the local vendors have a chance to 
be part of the  construction of the Flight 93 permanent memorial. Bids 
are expected to start  going out in August and September. Officials with 
the National Park Service and  the Somerset County Chamber of 
Commerce want to make sure the vendors are ready  to play with the 
big boys. 

"We  are really excited about the number of people here," said Ron 
Aldom with the Chamber of Commerce. "Federal proposals are tough and 
we want to make sure they are understanding the bidding process." 

Among  the local businesses that are interested in being part of the historic 
project  is Special Lite Products out of Westmoreland County. It makes  
decorative signs and lighting for Arlington National Cemetery and others. 

"We just thought this would be a great fit for our product, and it is almost 
in our own back yard which makes it something very special," said Scott 
Siegel with Special Lite Products. 

The construction deadline for the Flight 93 memorial is the 10th 
anniversary  of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2011.