Local contractors stretched thin by area projects

Construction contracts are in such high demand due to all the work in Sidney this summer that competitive bids, or sometimes any bids, are difficult to find.

Last week the city of Sidney opened bids for work on sanitary sewer and water extensions on the Fairfield Marriott hotel project as well as a sanitary sewer extension for a nearby property.

“There were no bids received,” said city manager Gary Person at last week’s city council meeting. “This was part of our fear, with so many things going on in the community right now, of getting no bids on some of the smaller projects.”

Construction pro...