Public-private partnership 2004 award recipients announced

WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 14, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Each year, the National Council for Public-Private Partnersnips (NCPPP) recognizes companies and organizations that have successfully completed a unique and innovative public-private partnership. This prestigious award recognizes projects and individuals, illustrating some of the best practices and applications in the field of public-private partnerships.

The 2004 NCPPP Public-Private Partnership Award recipients in the Infrastructure category are:
-- Port of Galveston Cruise Terminal Development Public Sector: Port of Galveston
Private Sectors: CH2M HILL, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines
Description: The Port of Galveston has an opportunity to stimulate its economy and tax base by expanding its cruise operations and redeveloping existing port facilities. In mid-2002, CH2M HILL submitted a PPP proposal to the Port of Galveston for cruise terminal development. This was the first time that a PPP was used for a port project in Texas, and the first time that the Port used design-build project delivery.
-- Keystone, S.D., Wastewater Treatment Services Partnership Public Sector: Town of Keystone Private Sectors: ECO Resources, Inc. (Southwest Water Company Services Group) Description: Keystone experienced municipal service challenges because of the high amount of tourists. ECO Resources, Inc. was awarded a design/build/finance/operate contract for the construction of a sewer plant. The original construction contract was for $2.4 million, and because of a cost-cutting incentive Keystone received a $30,000 rebate and a state-of-the-art facility.

The 2004 NCPPP Public-Private Partnership Award recipient in the Service category is:
-- City of Indianapolis and Veolia Water Partnership Public Sector: City of Indianapolis
Private Sectors: Veolia Water North America Description: After decades of being served by a regulated utility, the City of Indianapolis acquired the Indianapolis waterworks system in April 2002 for $530 million and launched a multi-faceted procurement that led to the creation of not only the country's largest water partnership but an innovative contract that directly linked performance with compensation. Veolia Water was selected under a 20-year public-private partnership, and after two years of managing all operations, maintenance and customer service facets of a waterworks system serving 1.1 million people, Veolia Water has achieved significant milestones in each of the incentive categories.

The 2004 NCPPP Public-Private Partnership Award recipients in the Innovation category are:
-- Virginia Leaders in Export Trade Program (VALET) Public Sector: Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Division of International Trade Private Sector: Active Media Description: Launched in January 2002, the program assists in the Commonwealth that have firmly established domestic operations and are committed to international exporting as an strategy. VALET provides capital, expert guidance and concrete solutions for businesses.

An Honorable Mention Award will also be given in this category to:
-- The Highway 63 Transportation Corporation Public Sector: The Highway 63 Transportation Corporation Private Sector: Koch Performance Roads Inc. Description: The Highway 63 Transportation Corporation is one of the very first transportation corporations formed since the legislation was enacted. Along with Koch they are expanding a 22-mile stretch of Highway 63 from two lanes to four lanes.

The awards will be presented at the 2003 Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet. The banquet will be held on November 17 at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Va. A short presentation will be made for each recipient outlining the project highlights. Because of the value these projects provide, each will shortly be added to the NCPPP's Web site listing of case studies after NCPPP's Annual Meeting.

The Awards Committee consisted of Don Levine (Veolia Water North America), Art Smith (Management Analysis, Inc.), Ken Butler (Capital Partnerships Inc.), Robert Hebert (Southwest Water Company Services Group), John Stainback (Stainback Public/Private Real Estate LLP), Steve Surprenant (HDR, Inc.) and Jim Newkirk (Veolia Water North America).

The National Council for Public-Private Partnerships (www.ncppp.org) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization founded in 1985. The Council is a forum for the brightest ideas and innovators in the partnership arena. Its growing list of public and private sector members, with experience in a wide variety of public-private partnership arrangements, and its diverse training and public education programs, represent vital core resources for partnering nationwide.

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