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                                                                   Exhibit 10.10
                                 PROMISSORY NOTE


$252,633.44                                                    January 16, 2000


                  For value received, William J. Mercurio ("Executive") promises
to pay to the order of Orius Corp., a Florida corporation (the "Company"), at
its offices in West Palm Beach, Florida, or such other place as designated in
writing by the holder hereof, the aggregate principal sum of $252,633.44 on the
earlier of (i) December 15, 2004, or (ii) the date on which Executive is no
longer employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason. This
"Note" is issued pursuant to Executive's purchase of Company Common Stock in
accordance with Paragraph 4 of Executive's Senior Management Agreement, dated as
of November 8, 1999.


                  Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal amount of
this Note at a rate equal to the lesser of (i) the applicable federal rate on
the date hereof (which the Company and Executive acknowledge is 5.88% per
annum), compounded annually, or (ii) the highest rate permitted by applicable
law, and shall be payable at such time as the principal of this Note becomes due
and payable.


                  The amounts due under this Note are secured by a pledge of
188,810 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Collateral") pursuant to a pledge agreement of even date herewith (the "Pledge
Agreement").

                  Executive hereby acknowledges that this Note is a full
recourse note and that the Executive shall have personal liability with respect
to any amounts owed under this Note.

                  In the event Executive fails to pay any amounts due hereunder
when due, Executive shall pay to the holder hereof, in addition to such amounts
due, all costs of collection, including reasonable attorneys fees.

                  Executive, or his successors and assigns, hereby waives
diligence, presentment, protest and demand and notice of protest, demand,
dishonor and nonpayment of this Note, and expressly agrees that this Note, or
any payment hereunder, may be extended from time to time and that the holder
hereof may accept security for this Note or release security for this Note, all
without in any way affecting the liability of Executive hereunder.




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                  This Note shall be governed by the internal laws, not the laws
of conflicts, of the State of Florida.


                                                     /s/ William J. Mercurio
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                     WILLIAM J. MERCURIO