Why Meta and Google are Betting on Skilled Trades
For decades, workforce development followed a fairly predictable model. Construction industry workforce programs focused on developing the skilled trades needed to build projects. Manufacturers invested in training programs designed to prepare workers to operate facilities once they opened. Utilities trained the technicians needed to maintain power systems. Each sector largely developed talent pipelines aligned with…
America 250: Built by Builders
The Hands That Built America As America celebrates its 250th birthday, we naturally think about the founders, the soldiers, the presidents, and the moments that shaped our nation. We should. But we should also remember the builders. Long before skylines defined our cities, someone cleared the land. Someone surveyed the route. Someone quarried the stone….
Building More Than Places: The Role of Community Impact at SW+
At its core, the AEC industry isn’t actually about blueprints or permits; it’s about people. Whether we’re collaborating with clients or engaging with neighbors, true success often comes down to human connection. That’s why community engagement has always been a natural extension of SeamonWhiteside’s (SW+) work across the Carolinas. As a site design firm, we…
JetZero Breaks Ground on First Aircraft Factory in Greensboro, NC
JetZero today broke ground on its first manufacturing and final assembly campus, an 8 million square foot factory on more than 600 acres in Greensboro, North Carolina. The project, supported by the largest ever State-level incentive package for any startup of any industry, will be home to production of JetZero’s next-generation aircraft and will create…
2026 GroundBreakers: Who is Influencing the Industry? Submit your Nomination
People make the construction industry what it is today. The GroundBreak Carolinas team is interested in identifying and featuring those individuals who are influencing construction and having a significant impact on the industry. We are pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 8th annual GroundBreak Carolinas GroundBreakers Awards. “The GroundBreaker Awards…
Meta, ABC Form Partnership to Launch Academy to Train and Create Jobs for Construction Craft Professionals
Meta Platforms Inc. and Associated Builders and Contractors announced a partnership to educate and provide construction-ready career pathways for thousands of data center construction technicians kicking off in Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas as a meaningful step toward meeting the growing demand for data center workers nationwide. America’s Workforce Academy is a $115 million investment in the next…
Data Center Growth Fuels Gray’s Rise in ENR Rankings
Engineering News-Record (ENR) has recognized Gray among the nation’s leading contractors in its annual Top 400 Contractors report, including a significant rise to the top 15 in telecommunications sector fueled by continued growth in Data Center construction across the U.S. In this year’s rankings, Gray earned recognition as #15 Top Telecommunications Contractors. That result was further solidified by Gray’s…
Women in Construction: Setting the Standard for Leadership
For women in the construction industry, representation matters — but representation alone doesn’t build trust, manage risk, or deliver exceptional facilities. At A M King, women lead complex food processing, food distribution and industrial manufacturing projects every day, consistently and repeatedly bringing value to our clients. This Q&A highlights two of our leaders — Alissa…
Construction Professionals Offer Advice to New Graduates Entering AEC Industry
GroundBreak Carolinas reached out to a cross section of architecture, engineering and construction top executives and young leaders in North Carolina and South Carolina to see what advice they might have for new college graduates entering our industry. Check out their “words of wisdom!” IN THEIR OWN WORDS “There are two traits to pursue being new…
The Great American Bread Machine and Future Prosperity
Getting Started With America’s 250th birthday soon to be celebrated, we stop momentarily to see how the Great American Bread Machine, the economy, cheers us on as we pursue life, liberty and happiness. So far, so good, I would say. In fact, in spite of much done politically to direct the economy from the top…
