GroundBreak Carolinas is honored to spotlight Chad Frampton, President and CEO of Frampton Construction, who has been named to the Class of 2026 GroundBreakers — an exclusive group of individuals recognized for going above and beyond to make a difference in the construction community across the Carolinas. Founded in 1993, Frampton is a Southeast-based construction firm…
Business & Leadership
Staying Optimistic in Uncertain Times
When uncertainty rises, staying informed, prepared, and focused on what you can control can keep pessimism from becoming a business strategy. I keep coming back to this topic. There’s no shortage of things to worry about these days. Read the news, turn on the TV, or spend five minutes scrolling through social media, and you’ll…
Construction’s Economy: What the Numbers Mean for the Carolinas
The construction industry continues to grow, but a closer examination of the latest economic indicators reveals an increasingly divided market. While data center development is generating extraordinary demand for construction services, much of the broader industry is experiencing slower growth, tightening margins, and renewed uncertainty. For construction companies operating in North Carolina and South Carolina,…
Carhartt Honors Eight Skilled Trades Educators with its Second Annual Steel Apple Awards
A great teacher can change the course of a student’s life, and for many young people entering the skilled trades, that starts in the shop, garage or classroom. Today, Carhartt announced the eight recipients of its second annual Steel Apple Awards, recognizing outstanding educators from across the country who are helping students build rewarding careers…
New Research from AIA, Supported by Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, Finds Growing Demand for Integrated Security in Building Design
Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope, Inc. (OBE), North America’s leading vertically integrated manufacturer, fabricator, and distributor of architectural hardware, glass, and glazing systems, today announced the release of Safety & Security in Design, a joint research report published in strategic partnership with The American Institute of Architects (AIA). The nationwide study examines how architects and specifiers across diverse…
Industry & Markets
Data Centers, Power Projects Buoy Construction Spending in September as Other Sectors Stall or Slide in Face of Rising Costs, Uncertain Funding
Construction spending slumped 1.9% from August to September and 2.7% from the September 2025 level, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of a new government report released today. The association issued a new bulletin detailing how higher costs, supply-chain problems and a tight labor market add to the risk of…
Construction Quits Surge to 198,000 in September as Labor Shortages Reemerge
The construction industry had 298,000 job openings on the last day of September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings…
Real Estate Investors Grow Cautious Amid Economic and Geopolitical Uncertainty
Real estate investor sentiment improved modestly after falling for two consecutive quarters, recovering from an all-time low index score of 84, and improving to 89 in the Fall 2026 RCN Capital/CJ Patrick Company Investor Sentiment Index (ISI)™. The index score marked the third consecutive quarter with a score below 90 and was 12 points lower…
Data Centers Continue to Drive Nonresidential Spending Higher in September
National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.6% in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.325 trillion. Spending was up on a monthly basis in 8 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories. Private nonresidential spending was up…






