When reached by Delaware Online/The News Journal, Holt refuted the committee’s characterization of its bid and called for a “more transparent and thorough” selection process. In a statement provided through attorney Bill Sasso, the company said Bullock did not reply to phone calls from its leadership team.
“Unfortunately, it appears that the current selection process is following the same path that led to the previous relationship with Gulftainer, which by any analysis was a total disaster insofar as the State of Delaware is concerned,” the statement reads.
The other companies that submitted a bid did not respond to requests for comment.
Bullock said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on the negotiations.
A Freedom of Information Act request for Holt’s bid and all of the bids solicited by Diamond State Port Corporation was denied.
Holt said it had proposed more than $100 million of investment and an annual rent after year two of $3 million, both greater than Enstructure’s proposed terms. It touted its existing relationships with companies that use the Delaware River and said it has a “significant non-container customer” interested in Edgemoor that could speed up the development of the property.