Architecture Billings Continue to Decline
Demand for design services from U.S. architecture firms continued to contract in December, according to a new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The pace of decline during December slowed from November, posting an Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 47.5 from 46.6 (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings)….
What Construction Firms Need to Know about ESG
While the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement started with institutions and financial firms, it has become increasingly relevant for the construction industry. Many project owners and financiers are now requiring construction companies to report on ESG measures because activities completed by contractors are considered part of the owner’s value chain and must therefore be…
Business Facilities Names North Carolina ‘State of the Year’
North Carolina has been named 2022 State of the Year by Business Facilities for the state’s successful year in project announcements, capital investment and job creation. This is the second time North Carolina has been awarded this accolade since 2007 when the magazine’s highest state honor began. The state previously won in 2020. “A succinct…
Tomorrow May Never Come
None of us knows how much time we have, so don’t put off making the changes you need to make in your life. On January 6, my wife and I spent about an hour and a half in the office of our friend and insurance agent, Brant Barnes, talking about flying (he became a pilot…
Harper General Contractors President David Wise on Building Trust in the Carolinas
Grounded in a culture of trust and community and 73 years of experience, Harper General Contractors has grown into an almost 300-employee company, with offices spread across North and South Carolina. Harper is a full-service general contracting and construction management firm with a very distinct and enduring philosophy: “Do what you say you’re going to…
What to Look for in a Building Automation System Dashboard
My dream car is a ’69 Z/28 Camaro. The dashboard was a big reason. It had a big MPH dial on the left, a big RPM dial on the right and a clock stuck in the middle. Mounted below were alarm lights to show if something malfunctioned. Then there were 4 more gauges on the…
USC selects lead development team for health sciences campus in BullStreet District
The University of South Carolina has selected Gilbane to lead the planning, design, development and construction of the university’s health sciences campus in the BullStreet District in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. The initial engagement with Gilbane was presented to the Board of Trustees at its Tuesday (Dec. 13) meeting. “Gilbane has assembled a world-class design…
Proactive Steps Employers Should Take to Deal with Employees “Quiet Quitting”
Major news publications like the The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times have identified a new topic of discussion among workers: “quiet quitting.” The idea is that employees are de-prioritizing work and either working less or coasting when they do work to only perform the bare minimum duties to keep their jobs. This…
ABC Carolinas Announces 2023 Board of Directors Led by CarolinaPower’s Chris Moore
Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas (ABC Carolinas) is pleased to announce its 2023 Board of Directors. Seven board members are based in South Carolina with the remainder located in North Carolina. Chris Moore, President of CarolinaPower has been elected 2023 Chair, representing more than 300 member firms in North and South Carolina. “On behalf…
The ROC in Charlotte: Reducing the Workforce Shortage and Transforming Construction’s Next Generation
Have you been to The ROC in Charlotte? If you haven’t had a chance to visit or find out about it, make time – because what’s happening there is transformational for the community and our industry. This Charlotte-based facility and program name stands for “Rebuilding Opportunities in Construction” and serves Charlotte-area High School students. The…
