LIHU’E — The County of Kaua’i has decided to operate the Kaua’i Resource Buyback Center on an interim basis after failing to find a qualified bidder to run the $2.2 million facility. “On the advice of Economic Development Administration, the
LIHU’E — The County of Kaua’i has decided to operate the Kaua’i Resource
Buyback Center on an interim basis after failing to find a qualified bidder to
run the $2.2 million facility.
“On the advice of Economic Development
Administration, the county has begun formulating a backup plan for use of the
facility,” stated Gini Kapali, director of the Office of Economic Development.
Federal funding for the facility was provided through an Economic
Development Administration (EDA) grant for the purpose of diverting waste from
the landfill, creating jobs and generating revenue.
Finance director
Wallace G. Rezentes Jr. said the county will plan for use of the buyback center
as a county-operated recycling and educational facility.
On three
occasions, the county has invited bidders to submit proposals for operating
recycling or reuse operations in the center. The first request for proposals
generated one bid, which was incomplete and did not meet the minimum criteria.
The second request was didn’t produce any bids, and the final request drew one
proposal, which was rejected by the county’s evaluation committee last week
because the offer did not fulfill the original purpose of the project and did
not satisfy some criteria.
“The committee recommended denial of the
application, and I concur with their decision,” stated Rezentes.
After
three unsuccessful attempts to find an operator, EDA is encouraging the county
to assume a management role at the buyback center.
Office of Economic
Development administers the grant for EDA.
In the next few weeks, the
administration will be working closely with EDA and the County Council to
finalize the interim plan which will follow EDA’s original criteria.