Volusia companies playing key roles in Speedway renovation

Published: Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 9:16 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, June 28, 2014 at 9:16 p.m.

Thats where owners of local businesses from masonry contractors to lighting distributors met with the projects general contractor to get details on how their companies might get a slice of the $400 million pie.

That initiative by general contractor Barton Malow and the Speedway to reach out to local businesses has paid off.

Since breaking ground nearly a year ago, the Daytona Rising project has created nearly 2,000 construction jobs and provided work for 80 Volusia County firms, either as subcontractors or vendors, said Lenny Santiago, a spokesman for the Speedway. He said he wasnt aware of any Flagler County companies involved in the project.

The renovation of the tracks nearly mile-long frontstretch is expected to accelerate immediately following Saturdays Coke Zero 400 race, with the average number of daily on-site workers expected to increase to at least 800, in rotating shifts, up from 500 earlier this month.

Well kick back into construction mode in high gear, said Santiago.

Officials with the Speedway and Barton Malow view the next several months until early January, when race car testing for 2015 Speedweeks is scheduled to begin, as a big window for workers to make a lot of progress on the project, Santiago said.

All told, Daytona Rising is forecast to create more than 6,300 jobs, both directly and in-directly over the course of its 2-year construction.

Area companies involved in the project range from concrete pavers to electrical firms and landscapers. They include suppliers such as Kingspan Insulated Panels, which is manufacturing the skin that will cover the Speedways renovated frontstretch at its plant in DeLand, and subcontractors such as AW Baylor Versapanel Plastering, an Ormond Beach-based assembler and installer of panels and drywall.

The Daytona Rising project which will add new fan entrances, more comfortable seating, more eateries and other amenities is scheduled to be completed by January 2016, but area business leaders say its impact as a driver of the local economy is already being felt.

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Volusia companies playing key roles in Speedway renovation