Groundbreak Carolinas

GroundBreak Carolinas

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Graduates of Upstate S.C. Electrical Apprenticeship Program Honored at December Ceremony

by Joan Krause, GroundBreak Carolinas on

Four newly registered electricians in Upstate South Carolina were lauded by their respective employers, course instructors and others at a private graduation ceremony last month. The celebration recognized the group’s successful completion of a rigorous four-year, S.C. Department of Labor registered electrical apprenticeship program.   Registered apprenticeships are employer-sponsored training programs that produce highly skilled…

Nonresidential Fixed Investment Returns to Earth in Q3, Says ABC

by Associated Builders and Contractors on

The U.S. economy expanded at a 3.5 percent annualized rate during the third quarter of 2018, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis data released today. This represents the first time there have been two consecutive quarters of 3 percent-plus growth since the beginning of 2015. Despite the…

McCrory Construction Celebrates its 100th Anniversary: Q&A with Allen Amsler, President and CEO

by Joan Krause, GroundBreak Carolinas on

“A century strong and counting” is a statement few construction services firms can make. McCrory Construction is proud to be one of the exceptions. Now under fourth-generation private ownership, Columbia-based McCrory is celebrating its 100th year in business in 2018. McCrory is a full-service general contractor ranked among the Southeast’s largest and most respected construction…

Construction Material Prices Rebound in September, Says ABC

by GroundBreak Staff on

Prices for inputs to construction rose 0.3 percent in September and are 7.4 percent higher than a year ago, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released today. Overall prices for nonresidential construction inputs rose 0.4 percent, reversing last month’s downward trend. Among individual subcategories, softwood lumber…

Contractors Remain Upbeat in Q2, According to ABC’s Latest Construction Confidence Index

by ABC on

Construction contractors remained confident during the second quarter of 2018, according to the latest Construction Confidence Index released by Associated Builders and Contractors. More than three in four construction firms expect that sales will continue to rise over the next six months, while three in five expect higher profit margins. More than seven in 10…

Public Nonresidential Construction Up in July, says ABC

by ABC on

National nonresidential construction spending declined 0.3 percent in July, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data released today. Total nonresidential spending stood at $748.8 billion on a seasonally adjusted, annualized rate in July, an increase of 5.3 percent from the same time last year. Private nonresidential spending fell 1…

Teens in Upstate S.C. Get Hands-On Introduction to Construction Trades through Benjamin Franklin Experience

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

CarolinaPower and Brasfield & Gorrie are co-hosting and sponsoring three one-day construction experiences for middle-and-high school age kids this summer in Greenville, S.C. The purpose of these experiential learning events, made possible by the Benjamin Franklin Experience (BFE), is to show highly-motivated teens the dynamism of the industry and the opportunities that await them —…

Carolina Construction Leaders Visit Washington DC

by GroundBreak Carolinas Staff on

Over 25 leaders from North Carolina and South Carolina construction firms recently visited U.S. Senators and Representatives in Washington, DC. The construction leaders participated in the annual Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Legislative Conference (LegCon). “Whether you are new or well established in the political arena of lobbying, the Merit Shop Construction Industry relies on our…

Celebrating the 2018 ABC Carolinas Electrical Apprenticeship Graduating Class

by Joan Krause, GroundBreak Carolinas on

The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Carolinas Chapter celebrated its Electrical Apprenticeship graduating class of 2018 in June at Charlotte’s BB&T Ballpark, home of the Charlotte Knights baseball team.  ABC Carolinas Chapter chose this venue to raise community awareness about the apprenticeship program and the career opportunities available in the construction industry. Cheered on by…