Construction firm seeks N.B. government bailout

Miramichi-based Atcon Construction, which New Brunswick has already helped bankroll, has asked the province for additional financial help, the company said Wednesday.

The company issued a statement by email on Wednesday night after Premier Shawn Graham confirmed the company is having trouble borrowing money from banks because of the recession.

Neither Atcon nor the premier said how much money the company is asking for, but Opposition Leader David Alward said he has heard the figure is $50 million.

Atcon received a $13.3-million loan guarantee from the Liberals last summer to help the company work on a $135-million bridge project in the Northwest Territories.

Atcon spokeswoman Dorothy Innes said in her written statement that the company is working on some significant projects and hopes to announce them soon.

She said the company wants to provide "meaningful employment opportunities to New Brunswick."