AWB Case Studies
Rainier Color Lab
AWB Helps Member Recover $1.2 Million in Moving Costs
I-5 Off Ramp
When the Washington Dept. of Transportation (DOT) decided to build an I-5
off ramp for the new Seahawks football stadium in Seattle’s warehouse
district, it needed to move Rainier Color to a new location. Unlike retail
businesses or other commercial firms in the area who also had to relocate,
Rainier Color had to move several large printing presses. “I don’t know of
any printing operation that ever made a major move and was able to survive,”
John Castaldi of Rainier Color told Washington Business in March 2001. “Once
a press is set up, it’s almost impossible to move it without damaging the
operation.”
Move Cost Rainier Color Over $4.1 Million
Finding a new location for Rainier Color was no easy task. At the time
commercial space in Seattle was at a premium and Castaldi and his partner
Poul Hansen incurred over $4.1 million in relocation costs. Castaldi and
Hansen submitted $1.8 million to DOT for reimbursement---what they thought
was their fair share. Instead, DOT sent them a check for $200,000. “It
seemed like every time we submitted our expenses, they (DOT) would be
rejected.”
Rainier Color Called AWB for Help
After months of frustration, Castaldi called AWB. Tom Dooley, AWB
Governmental Affairs Director for Tax and Fiscal Policy, began working with
him to recover his expenses. “Tom was just great,” Castaldi said. “He
brought in state Rep. Velma Veloria (D-Seattle). Dooley and Veloria set up a
meeting with then Transportation Secretary Sid Morrison. Again all Castaldi
and Hansen wanted was for the state to pick up its fair share.
AWB Gets $1.2 Million Reimbursed to Rainier Color
“Our average wage here is about $50,000 per year,” Castaldi said. “Sid
(Morrison) looked at our company and said ‘This is the kind of business
we’re trying to attract to Seattle. ‘ I think he realized how close we were
to going out of business.” As a result of AWB’s actions, Rainier Color
received $1.2 million in reimbursement. “Tom and AWB were just great,”
Castaldi told Washington Business in March 2001. “They really worked hard
and came through for me.”
Without AWB, Members Would Be on Their Own. Just Ask John Castaldi, Poul
Hansen and Rainier Color How AWB Worked for Them to Save Their Business.
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