Jalen Rose Leadership Academy Promises to Pay Contractor

NEW HUDSON, Mich. (WJBK) -- Interstate Fire Protection installs sprinkler systems. Last summer, the company won a bid to install sprinklers at the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy.

The former University of Michigan basketball star founded the college prep charter high school. Rose has discussed a possible bid to become mayor of Detroit.

Interstate's contract was for $340,000.

"They promised us the money back in September, and we've gotten paid some money, but we haven't gotten paid all of it," said Carol Marcer, part owner of Interstate. "They owe us about $160,000. That's a lot of money."

Interstate was proud to be involved in the project.

"It's a great school and it's a great thing what Jalen Rose has accomplished," Marcer told us. "We were very proud to be part of it."

For a small business like Interstate, having an outstanding bill of this size poses great difficulties.

"We have to pay our suppliers on time or they pull our bond or they file a lien against us," Marcer explained. "Our payroll has to be paid, so it's a lot of money that you have to up front waiting to be paid."

A spokesman for the academy says a delayed loan caused the payment problem and the contractor will be paid next week. That's the resolution Interstate is looking for.