Groundbreak Carolinas

GroundBreak Carolinas

Your source for construction industry news in the Carolinas

Helen Johnson

Tightening Labor Market Underscores Rising Demand for Self-Perform Services

by Gray Construction on

Gray’s self-perform arm, NexGen Contracting, is helping meet this demand through strategic delivery of high-volume concrete, structural steel erection, and mechanical installations. With U.S. construction labor markets tightening, self-perform capabilities are becoming an increasingly critical differentiator for industrial contractors. Recent labor data highlights the challenge: while construction added 4,000 jobs, total employment remains tight at 8.3 million….

Lowe’s Foundation Investment in Solving Skilled Trades Labor Shortage Grows to $43 Million

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

The Lowe’s Foundation today announced 12 new Gable Grants for community and technical colleges to help solve America’s critical skilled trades worker shortage. The funding expands the foundation’s nationwide network of Gable Grants recipients to 60 organizations, each delivering scalable pathways into high-demand trades careers. Through expanded training, grants to this cohort will help build the next…

A Few Thoughts on Organization Structure

by Mark Zweig, Zweig Group on

AEC firms today still struggle with the same old organizational issues that undermine clarity, accountability, and leadership. Most people probably don’t know it, but my undergraduate degree is actually a management degree with a specialization in organizational behavior. And yes, it proved to be relevant and useful. I have been working with AEC firms on…

ABC Carolinas Announces New Leadership Team and Expanded Roles to Strengthen Regional Impact

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

The Board of Directors for Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas (ABC Carolinas) proudly announces several new appointments and expanded roles within its leadership team, reinforcing the organization’s mission to serve and advance the merit shop construction industry across both North and South Carolina. The merit shop philosophy is the belief that people and…

Tollison Promoted to Senior Sales Director

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

Digital Site Box, an innovative onsite documentation management platform, has announced the promotion of Gray Tollison to Senior Sales Director. Gray joined Digital Site Box in 2024 and has quickly become a key driver of growth for the company. As Sales Director, he consistently delivered strong performance, built trusted relationships with customers, and helped expand…

Step Up for Veterans: Join the #84LungesChallenge

by 84 Lumber on

In honor of National Hire a Veteran Day on July 25, 2025, 84 Lumber is launching the 84 Lunges Challenge, a nationwide social media campaign designed to raise awareness about the critical need to hire U.S. military veterans. Inspired by the message, “Hire a Veteran. Change a Life,” the 84 Lunges Challenge invites individuals, businesses, and organizations across the country to complete 84…

Gray Announces Leadership Transition, Renewed Focus on Design-Build Excellence

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

 Gray, a leader in integrated design-build services, today announced a key leadership transition that marks both a moment of continuity and forward momentum for the business. After 26 years of dedicated leadership in various roles, Brian Jones is stepping down from the role of CEO to serve outside Gray. Under his tenure, Jones navigated significant industry shifts,…

Contractor Optimism Grows as ABC’s Backlog Indicator Rebounds in June

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

Associated Builders and Contractors reported today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.7 months in June, according to an ABC member survey conducted June 20 to July 7. The reading is up 0.3 months since June 2024. View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series. The largest contractors have nearly two…

Preview: 2025 ABC Carolinas Construction Convention. Register Now!

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

Members from across the Carolinas return to ABC Carolinas Annual Construction Convention each year to connect, celebrate and advance their businesses with the latest industry, political and technological insights. The 2025 ABCC Construction Convention will be held in Myrtle Beach from August 6-8, 2025, at Embassy Suites by Hilton – Myrtle Beach Ocean Resort. The…

June Nonresidential Construction Materials Prices Up 2.5% Year-Over-Year, 43% Since February 2020

by Helen Johnson on

Construction input prices increased 0.2% in June compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released today. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.3% for the month. Overall construction input prices are 2.1% higher than a year ago, while nonresidential construction…