Local Firms Take Over Contract to Oversee $200M Worth of EBR Schools Construction

CSRS and Tillage Construction have teamed up to manage some $200 million in construction projects for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, a deal that is worth $6.9 million over five years. The local firms came together earlier this year to buy out Garrard Group—an Atlanta, Georgia-based firm that had been CSRS’s partner in the management of school system facilities projects since 1999. “When the contract came back up for bid it was an opportunity for us to take all the business local,” says CSRS owner Curt Soderberg. “Instead of having a partner in Atlanta I have a partner here.” Though specific terms of the deal were not disclosed, CSRS has a 75% share of the joint venture. Tillage Construction has 25%. For Tillage, the significance of the partnership is as much about opening new doors as it is about generating a steady stream of revenues. “This gives Tillage Construction an opportunity to expand the services we offer, and it will give us a good piece of new business,” says owner Keith Tillage, who was recently spotlighted in a Business Report Best Advice feature. “Our area of expertise has always been construction. This is one segment higher in the value chain.” Tillage Construction is certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, or DBE. When the school system renewed CSRS’s contract last year, it included incentives for more participation from minority- and women-owned companies. Tillage says if this partnership goes well, “It is our hope that CSRS and Tillage will take a look at similar opportunities in other markets.” —Stephanie Riegel

via-Baton Rouge Business Report