Carolinas Contract Activity Up Considerably in November

McGraw-Hill Construction's most recent reports on contracts for future construction activity showed strong gains in both North Carolina and South Carolina. In North Carolina, the latest month's construction activity showed a 37 percent gain over the same time period of a year ago, while in South Carolina the value of future contracts increased by 23 percent with the same measurement.

Where the increases were coming from varied, though, between the two states. In North Carolina, the nonresidential sector grew by 97 percent compared to the same month a year ago, from $277.7 million to $546.7 million. Residential construction activity also grew, by 8 percent, from last year's $802.7 million to $862.9 million. Nonbuilding construction, such as streets, highways and bridges, more than doubled, from $101.7 million to $211 million.

Overall, November activity in North Carolina totaled just over $1.6 billion. A year ago it tallied almost $1.2 billion. Through November, state construction activity totaled slightly more than $17 billion, 5 percent ahead of the $16.3 billion recorded for the same period a year ago.

In South Carolina, meanwhile, November contracts totaled approximately $690.4 million, up 23 percent from last year's $560.9 million. Here, too, the nonbuilding construction category showed the greatest percentage increase, with a 99 percent jump from $51.3 million last year to the current $102.2 million. Residential construction also grew, by 24 percent, from $339.8 million to $421.1 million. Nonresidential construction declined, however, by 2 percent, from last year's $169.8 million total to this year's $167.2 million.

Through November, 2003 construction activity in South Carolina was ahead by 6 percent, from $8.3 billion a year ago to the most recent tally of almost $8.8 billion

North Carolina Officials Garner National ACPA Awards

A pair of North Carolina officials representing the region's concrete-paving industry took home "Distinguished Service Awards" from the American Concrete Pavement Association's recent convention.

Len A. Sanderson, state highway administrator with the North Carolina Department of Transportation in Raleigh, received the "Government Official of the Year Award" for his "innovation and creativity to advance concrete pavement technology." The award receognizes a government or public official for service and leadership in transportation activities, with special emphasis on concrete pavement.

Greg Dean, executive director of the Southeast Chapter of ACPA in Cary, N.C., received the "Local Promoter of the Year Award." Dean was recognized for "developing innovative strategies for promoting concrete pavements in the Southeast," and for growing a regional program.

ACPA is the national trade association for the concrete-pavement industry.

Suitt Construction Relocates Raleigh Office

The Raleigh office of Suitt Construction Co. recently moved to 5400 Trinity Road, Suite 303, in the Palisades I building near North Carolina State University's RBC Center and Carter-Finley Stadium.

The office's phone number remains the same, (919) 781-0054. The 13,500-sq.-ft. building houses Suitt's food and pharmaceutical groups, as well as its general manufacturing operation, which focuses on markets such as offices, corporate headquarters, research and development facilities, warehousing and distribution