Kainai completing OCO contract

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Kainai Industries, a Blood owned prefab modular housing industry is on the brink of completing 50 media units for the Calgary Winter Olympics, says the acting general manager.

Howard Beebee, said in an interview that Kainai completed all but five unites last week. "We've transported all the units to Calgary and are ready," he said.

Kainai Industries was awarded the $1.7 million contract in early July after an intense and controversial negotiations with OCO '88 officials to secure the housing contract last winter.

Beebee says the OCO contract was "an economic boast to the tribe employing 91 Bloods including private sub-contractors."

But once the OCO deal is finished, Kainai Industries will once again experience a downturn in their business, said Beebee. "It's too early to tell but we may have to lay off some people at the plant. It's always slow at this time of the year."

However, Beebee is currently negotiating with the Blood housing department to secure a contract to construct 15 housing units for the tribe. He is hoping that negotiations will be successful so that as few employees will be laid off.

Also he has hired a new marketing manager to help get more business for Kainai Industries. "There are a number of ideas we're looking at to attract more business, including doing an advertising blitz," said Beebee.

Beebee stressed that Kainai Industries is not experiencing a serious cash flow problem but are simply trying to drum up more business in a rather bleak economic atmosphere.

"This is typical of Kainai Industries at this time of the year," said Beebee.

It's still uncertain whether Alberta Indian bands will accept the media houses for about $46,000 each after the Olympics are over, said Beebee.