Jim Zahora, the CEO of TAC, said that opportunity has lead to hundreds of people with disabilities working through the nonprofit on those nets over the years.
“A special thank you goes out to the more than 500 people who have worked on these nets over the last 15 years and have been the reason we have been able to reach this milestone,” Zahora said. .
TAC won an initial contract to manufacture cargo nets in 2005. The contracts are often renewed, assuming the company continues to meet its production goals and retains quality standards.
In July, TAC was awarded again a five-year contract that totals a little over $69 million to allow them to continue production on those nets.
Zahora said the of nets TAC makes per month has changed over the years and ranges from 4,000 to 11,000 depending on the contract.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Net production represents the single largest work commitment for the nonprofit, which also works with several Clark County based manufacturers with the goal of providing skills, training and work experience for those in the community that have disabilities.
Zahora said that work provides those with disabilities with employment opportunities as well as skills they can transfer to other workplaces.
“We are also thankful for the support we receive from the greater Springfield and Clark County community every day for the people we serve,” Zahora added.
Production of the nets have continued amid the coronavirus pandemic. However, the pandemic has had an impact on the number of people with disabilities that TAC provides programming to.
TAC had a total of 201 people in their vocational habilitation program before the start of the pandemic. Now the nonprofit has 71 people, with some working on the cargo nets.
2005: Year TAC started making cargo nets
$69M: Amount of renewed U.S. Air Force cargo net contract to TAC
71: Number of people in TAC vocational habilitation program
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