CHARLESTON – A Florida company says the Ohio County Development Authority, a public body, owes them nearly $30,000 for installing a sign for a new Best Buy store at a shopping area outside Wheeling.
Thomas Sign and Awning Company, out of Clearwater, Fla., filed a lawsuit May 20 in Kanawha Circuit Court against the authority.
According to the complaint, the authority contracted with the plaintiff to make and erect an 11-feet by 7-inch pylon sign for a Best Buy store at The Highlands Shopping Center in Ohio County.
The plaintiff says it performed the work, but the authority has failed to pay the company the $28,278 it charged.
The complaint says the authority received partial funding for the project from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority.
When attempts to collect the debt failed, the plaintiff says it filed for a mechanics lien on the property in question. The lien was recorded on Jan. 21, 2009, the complaint says.
The company is asking for the money it's owed for the work and for a judge to enforce the lien, which could involve selling off the property.
Gene W. Bailey is representing the plaintiff. The case is before Kanawha Circuit Judge Irene Berger.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 09-C-950
Company sues county officials over Best Buy sign
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