Local contractors concerned about not being paid for work

<p class="p1">Local contractors who helped to build the medical marijuana cultivation center near Anna are wondering why they haven't been paid for their work.</p><p class="p1">Mike Penninger, owner of Penninger Asphalt Paving, did the parking lot for the new Wellness Group Pharms facility, which is located along Lick Creek Road, just outside of Anna.</p><p class="p1">Wellness Group Pharms managing director Paul Montes explained that Penninger, along with other local subcontractors, are owed money by the project's general contractor, ICON, which is based in Chicago.</p><p class="p1">Penninger said that he was supposed to be paid 30 days after the work was completed. His company's job was completed on Sept. 22. Once he wasn't paid by the original deadline, he was promised to be paid by Nov. 15. </p><p class="p1">When the payment wasn't met, Penninger put a lien on the parking lot, meaning Wellness Group Pharms cannot sell their property unless they settle all debts. He said he is owed about $30,000.</p><p class="p1">Penninger said there are four businesses in Union County and nine in total affected by the delayed payment.</p><p class="p1">"Coming into my slow time of year, I'm out this money that I was intending to pay my bills with this winter," Penninger said.</p><p class="p1">"They're promising to bring growth and bring jobs, but so far, (they've) done nothing but take away from people.</p><p class="p1">"The issue is being resolved, not as quickly as we had hoped," Montes said.</p><p class="p1">"I am 100 percent positive that obligations will be satisfied...I sympathize with the business owners and I'm sorry to cause any inconvenience." </p><p class="p2"> </p>