
Gov. Henry McMaster Nominates Harry M. Lightsey III to be the Next Secretary of S.C. Department of Commerce
Columbia, S.C., June 17, 2021 – Governor Henry McMaster today announced that he has nominated longtime South Carolina business executive Harry M. Lightsey III to serve as the next secretary of the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Lightsey, a former top executive with Bellsouth, AT&T and General Motors, will succeed Bobby Hitt, who is retiring…
2021 GroundBreakers: Who is Influencing the Industry? Nominations NOW Open
People make the construction industry what it is today. That’s why we are seeking your input for the 2021 GroundBreakers Awards. 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 the third annual GroundBreak Carolinas Most…
ABC’s Construction Backlog Inches Higher in May; Materials and Labor Shortages Suppress Contractor Confidence
Associated Builders and Contractors reports today that its Construction Backlog Indicator rose to 8.0 months in May, according to an ABC member survey conducted from May 20 to June 2, 0.1 months higher than in April 2021 and May 2020. While ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales increased modestly in May, confidence regarding profit…
$3M Academic Cornerstone supports the Clemson University School of Architecture
Attending the Clemson University School of Architecture was a life-changing experience for William “Bill” H. Pelham, AIA, ’77 and M’81, especially the semester he spent in Genoa, Italy. Immersed in design and culture at Clemson’s first Fluid Campus satellite — the Charles E. Daniel Center for Building Research and Urban Studies, also known as “the…
Designing for Occupant Safety in Industrial Facilities
Have you ever been driving on the highway and noticed a person driving recklessly in front of you? At first you will likely pay closer attention to this car, right? Then if you notice the driver is continuing to behave carelessly or dangerously you will probably change lanes or slow down to create more distance….
Salute to 2021 Carolinas AGC Foundation Scholarship Winners
Carolinas AGC is proud to announce this year’s Carolinas AGC Foundation Scholarship recipients who were awarded a total of $12,000 by the scholarship committee. The eight deserving students represent six schools in the Carolinas: Appalachian State University, Clemson University, East Carolina University, Midlands Technical College, UNC-Wilmington and Western Carolina University. Mackenzie Donnelley: $6,000 Winner Mackenzie…
The Coronavirus Economy in Transition: Outlook for 2021-22
Mid-year is approaching. Stimulus money is flowing. The share of the U.S. population receiving virus vaccinations is soaring, “Now Hiring” signs are dotting the landscape, and the Communicable Disease Center has partly relaxed its mask requirement. Flush with money and less fearful, the American consumer is shopping again. Finally, it seems, the U.S. economy has…
Today’s Cyber Risk Landscape for Architecture, Engineering and Construction
You may not immediately recognize the need for data security, password management or disaster recovery as an organization in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry, but COVID-19 has led to more malicious activity and a sharp increase in cybercrime. Eighty percent of firms have seen a rise in cyberattacks this past year. The FBI…
Responding to Site Searches: How Communities Can Gain a Competitive Advantage
When it comes to site selection, how can a community effectively compete? If their economic development team is marketing and promoting real estate, the answer is THEY CAN’T. Clients buy sites, not real estate. This is a distinction they identify and use in the first stages of a site search to determine which sites to…
ABC to the White House: Do Not Exclude 87% of America’s Construction Industry From Your Infrastructure Plan
Today, Associated Builders and Contractors and more than 900 member companies and chapters from 47 states sent a letter to the White House highlighting concerns with President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan and recommendations to improve it, streamlining the permitting process and supporting bipartisan workforce development efforts. The letter also voiced strong opposition to the Protect the…