CORDOVA, Ill. – Construction is underway at Exelon Generation’s Quad Cities Station on several new projects, bringing hundreds of jobs and providing more than $20 million in new contracts for Illinois-based and diversity-certified suppliers. The first project is a multimillion-dollar expansion of the nuclear plant’s Professional Learning Center. The project will almost double the size of the current building and create a state-of-the-art training facility for Quad Cities employees.
The new addition will add more than 36,000 square feet to the existing structure and will allow the station to retire older, temporary buildings that require more frequent maintenance. It will also provide a modern and professional learning environment for the supplemental workers who support the plant, especially during annual refuel outages.
For this $7 million construction project, Exelon Generation is partnering with Burling Builders, Inc., an African American-owned, Chicago-based firm that has successfully completed similar facilities in Illinois. Burling will subcontract with multiple Quad Cities-based companies for portions of this work throughout the project. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2018.
“We are committed to advancing the economic vitality of the communities where we live and work. Through this project, we are demonstrating our dedication to working with diversity-certified suppliers in our local Illinois and Quad Cities community,” said Ken Ohr, Quad Cities Station site vice president. “Our commitment to supplier diversity expands access to valuable opportunities for minority-, women- and veteran-owned suppliers and boosts economic growth in the communities we serve.”
“Burling Builders is excited to be working on the Quad Cities Professional Learning Center project,” said Ryan Clancy-Leodoro, director of business development for Burling. “As a diverse prime partner on this project, BBI is committed to constructing this facility in a safe, quality manner with key partnerships with local firms. Like Exelon Generation, BBI is committed to a diverse workforce that reflects the communities it serves.”
In addition to the Professional Learning Center Expansion, Rock Island-based Valley Construction was recently awarded a more than $10 million contract for expansion of Quad Cities Station’s used fuel storage pad. Of this amount, $3.8 million will go toward a local diversity certified subcontractor, as part of Exelon Generation’s supplier diversity commitment. Koehler Electric and the Crawford Company are also spearheading multiple facility upgrades and remodeling projects this summer at the plant.
Quad Cities-based Ryan and Associates is also constructing a new maintenance facility on the north side of plant property. This will house the station’s numerous vehicles, lawn and snow removal equipment, and include a state-of-the art welding training shop specifically designed for specialty welding training and qualification certifications required at the plant.
Exelon Generation is committed to advancing supplier diversity. Empowering diverse businesses expands opportunities for woman-, minority- and veteran-owned businesses. Parent company Exelon Corp. recently became a member of the prestigious Billion Dollar Roundtable, a top-level advocacy organization that promotes corporate supplier diversity excellence. Exelon Corp. spent close to $2 billion with minority, women and veteran-owned suppliers in 2016, a 42 percent increase over the previous year.
