Construction is beginning on a $7 million commercial warehouse at Industrial Park Road, Southampton bucking the trend of the crisis-hit industry in which hundreds of workers remain unemployed.National Ltd whose vice-president is former Police Commissioner Jonathan Smith will have a labour force of 15 to 20 on the development expected to be completed by the end of the year.Existing businesses have already snapped up about three quarters of the space, and National Ltd is also in negotiations with small businesses looking to get a foothold in the west end.The company says firms could take advantage of Industrial Park Road’s location ahead of any development at Morgan’s Point.The 25,000 square feet building will include four warehouse units on two levels, varying from 2,000 square feet to 13,000 square feet, subject to a final building permit.It will consist of a steel frame and steel cladding, with substantial concrete foundations and traditional concrete water tanks.More than half the building will be air conditioned and it will contain a fire suppression system.President Anthony Smith, an entrepreneur and businessman, said in a statement: “In five decades of business involvement in Bermuda, I’ve seen the tremendous ebbs and flows in the economy.“This has not dissuaded me from retaining my confidence that the business fundamentals in Bermuda remain strong and I remain confident in our future.”Mr Smith, a possible Progressive Labour Party candidate at the next General Election, said: “Although National Ltd is a new company, we quickly established an ethos of wanting superior quality work.“We’re very pleased that in pulling together the team to work on this project, we’ve been able to ensure that many Bermudian owned and operated companies are involved.“Particularly at this difficult time, it’s rewarding to know that our vision will result in Bermudian families benefitting throughout the construction stages of this project.“That, coupled with Customs duties, other taxes and local purchases of construction material and supplies, provide an economic boost when the announcement of projects of this scope are few and far between.”BCM McAlpine, the general contractor for the project, will employ a Bermudian superintendent and 15 to 20 operators, carpenters, steel fixers, masons, labourers, and a steel and metal cladding erection crew.Vice-president Mike Ewles said the firm intends to employ only Bermudians and spouses of Bermudians; Bermudian sub-contractors are also involved while other finishing trades will be awarded contracts at a later date. Materials will be locally sourced where possible.Linberg & Simmons, of King Street, Hamilton, is the architect, while Butterfield Bank is providing construction financing. Other sub-contracts are going to P&M Electrical Supply and Services, GSC Ltd, Bermuda Elevator Systems and Woodbourne Associates.