May Contract Activity Continues to Pick up Pace in North, South Carolina

McGraw-Hill Construction recently reported that the value of May contracts for future construction activity in the states of North Carolina and South Carolina continued to improve significantly over the period of a year ago, with North Carolina experiencing a 7 percent improvement, and South Carolina a 23 percent increase.

In North Carolina, double-digit growth in the residential and nonbuilding sectors overcame a 20-percent drop in the nonresidential market to post the 7 percent gain over May 2003. The growth brought the value of May contracts to roughly $1.7 billion, compared to last May's nearly $1.6 billion total. The value of nonbuilding contracts showed the greatest growth, improving by 33 percent over last May to end at an estimated $123.6 million. Residential construction showed continued strength, increasing by 15 percent to total almost $1.2 billion for May. Nonresidential declined by 20 percent, however, and was estimated at $343.4 million.

Year-to-date, North Carolina contract activity has increased by 27 percent over 2003. Despite its recent decline, nonresidential remains 15 percent ahead of 2003, with slightly more than $2 billion in contracts reported to date. Residential construction has increased by 26 percent to total roughly $5.7 billion, and the nonbuilding sector is estimated to be 67 percent ahead of 2003, with roughly $1 billion reported.

South Carolina activity also continued to show steady and strong growth. The state's 23 percent May increase included a 66 percent improvement in the nonresidential sector, which totaled approximately $245.4 million for the month. Residential was the next strongest market, increasing by 13 percent over May 2003 to total roughly $508.7 million. After showing significant gains the last couple of months, the nonbuilding sector moderated to a 1 percent growth rate, with an estimated $94.6 million in contract value for May.

For the year-to-date in South Carolina, the value of new contracts is estimated at approximately 41 percent ahead of 2003. Nonbuilding construction's $1.3 billion value more than triples the 2003 total for the first five months of this market of $404.1 million. Nonresidential, with an estimated value of $1.1 billion, has improved by 21 percent for the year-to-date, while residential contracts, estimated at $2.6 billion, have improved by 16 percent for the year.

Medical Office Projects Top Out

Rodgers Builders of Charlotte recently hosted a topping-out ceremony for its Gateway Medical Office Building project at the NorthEast Medical Center's Outpatient Complex in the Cabarrus County/Concord area. Rodgers is overseeing the construction of the 65,884-sq.-ft. facility.

Southeastern Crane Expands into Charleston Area

Southeastern Crane recently expanded into the Charleston, S.C., area with the opening of a branch office in Ladson, a suburb located off of Interstate 26, approximately 12 mi. west of Charleston. As Grove distributor for the state, Southeastern Crane established the store to fulfill a requirement for a South Carolina dealership.

Mike Davis, manager of the Charlotte, N.C., office, will oversee all operations.

Lord, Aeck & Sargent Opens N.C. Office

Lord, Aeck & Sargent, an Atlanta-based architectural firm, is opening a branch office in Chapel Hill, N.C. The firm has worked with numerous North Carolina entities in the past, including UNC Chapel Hill, Duke University, Davidson College, Meredith College, North Carolina State University and East Carolina University.

ABC Honors Rep. Cass Ballenger for Commitment to Free Enterprise

Associated Builders and Contractors recently honored U.S. Rep. Cass Ballenger, R-N.C., with its 2004 Free Enterprise Lifetime Achievement Award. ABC recognized one retiring member of Congress from each chamber during its 2004 Legislative Conference for their commitment to public service and support for the principles of full and open competition and the advancement of the free-market system.

"Representative Ballenger is a long-time supporter of merit-shop construction and the principles of free enterprise," said Carole L. Bionda, ABC 2004 national chair. "Throughout his career as a public servant, Mr. Ballenger has been strident in his support of ABC's priority issues, from association health plans to stopping the expansion of the Davis Bacon Act; from union reporting and disclosure requirements to stopping union salting abuse."

Ballenger was first elected to Congress in 1986. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, as well as a member of the House International Relations Committee.