More than 30 jobs could be lost if Rangitikei District Council decides to award its roading contract to an out-of-town company.
The council is due to award the contract for the district's roading work this afternoon.
More than 20 Rangitikei business owners packed the public gallery at today's council meeting asking for the current contract holders, Downer, to be kept on.
The contract had gone out for tender recently and the business contingent believes council could be dropping Downer in favour of an out-of-town contractor.
The discussion and decision will be made behind closed doors because of commercial sensitivities.