Kermit, WV, is what Jack Deakin calls “in the heart of the stark wilderness.”

“Mingo County is coal mining country here in South West Virginia,” said Deakin.  “It is in the boondocks, and right across the river there is lovely Kentucky.  Can you imagine?  We’re in the middle of nowhere.  You have 50 coal trucks going down the main road every day, those 18 wheelers.  Here in divine Kermit, the Frogland; there’s a bar, a liquor store, drug store, and that’s about it.”

Being out in the “boonies,” Deakin had an interesting idea for a Christian center he was trying to have built in the town of Hurricane, about 80 miles away.

“Based on the lot that we have, we really needed a structure that was narrow and long, which was a bit difficult to find locally.”

Then Deakin found out about Allied Steel.

“It was very strange how we discovered Allied Steel,” recalled Deakin.  “One day, we came across a circular talking about a 30 X 90 available.  There was this customer in Eastern Pennsylvania that apparently didn’t take it.  They were only asking for $27K.  It was a very unique building.  But considering the very narrow lot we have, it fit perfectly.  I think it’s a hand of God that we found what we found.”

Deakin said that he had a great partnership going on with Allied, as well as the contractors Jim Lilly from Fredeking and Eddie Poff.

“That’s the other thing that is important to know,” emphasized Deakin.  “We had the cooperative arrangement with Allied Steel.  We couldn’t have asked for anything better.   Freddy King and Eddie Poff did a wonderful job putting up the building and doing the interior.  It was outstanding.”

With the exterior and interior completed, Deakin has put the building to good use.

“I am very, very happy with it,” exclaimed Deakin.  “The first sixty feet we converted for a kindergarten class.  The last 30 feet we have been using as a warehouse as well as an education ministry and an outreach program with clothing and food.”

“It’s a great addition to this town.  The sisters are doing an outstanding job with the ministry as far as I’m concerned.”

When he ordered the building, Deakin asked for some upgrades.

“I got another double door as well as a ton of windows, I forget how many.  They satisfied our needs when we exchanged diagrams and drawings.  The building is going to be there for a long time.

In addition, Deakin said they paved the back so the kids could play ball on the 20 foot parking lot that they are leasing next to the Christian Center.  

“We worked very hard to get the needed building materials donated.  We bought the foundation block ‘seconds’ with cosmetic blemishes but structurally sound at half the price. We also got a dry wall, interior doors, suspended ceiling system, carpet, vinyl and ceramic tile.”

Deakin emphasized how helpful Allied Steel and the contractors were throughout the whole process.

“The team of Allied, Fredeking Construction & Eddie Poff Construction could not have served us better.  It was obvious that they had worked together on many projects, large and small.”

In particular, Deakin mentioned how Fredeking was able to help the sisters at the center with an indoor playground.
  
“They brought in a sub contractor from Charleston who did all the interior finishing after the building was under the roof.  Sister Janet saw in a catalog a ‘jungle jim’ with bare dimensions for interior use.  As a result, the sub's carpenters fabricated a beautiful ‘jungle jim’ for her that the kids use every day.”  

Also, Deakin couldn’t have found anyone better than Eddie Poff to put the steal structure. 

“Eddie is a unique character.  He really knows his business.  It was a pleasure to have him on the job site.”

Overall, Deakin said that he couldn’t have asked for a better building for his application than what he received from Allied Steel.
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“We got a Christmas card from them asking if we knew anyone that needs a building to send them their way.  I can safely say that if anyone does, Allied will be the first one we bring up.”