North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC) recently announced the third class of the CAGC Foundation Construction Business Academy, all minority-owned and small-business construction companies, have graduated after completing a dozen sessions on topics ranging from business and strategic planning to licensing, insurance and mental health awareness.
A ceremony, honoring 21 graduates from the Raleigh area, was held Dec. 5 at The Stockroom in downtown Raleigh.
The program will expand across North Carolina in 2024 starting in Goldsboro in January.
The CAGC Foundation Construction Business Academy was created with a $3 million grant from the North Carolina General Assembly to provide training and coaching to help businesses rebound after COVID and to support their efforts to learn and grow.
With billions of dollars in state and federal funding authorized for infrastructure for highway-heavy, building and utility projects, this program helps businesses successfully compete to work on the hundreds of construction projects in their communities and around the state.
“We are very grateful to the North Carolina legislature for providing funding at a time when the construction industry in the Carolinas faces a critical shortage in talent for rewarding and challenging careers,” said Dave Simpson, CAGC President and CEO.
The first class of 18 was honored in a graduation ceremony in Charlotte earlier this year. The second graduating class, all business owners from the Greensboro area, had 15 graduates. The third Raleigh class had 21 graduates taking part in the program.
The development program is designed to strengthen minority, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses to ensure their sustainability and growth. The Academy includes 12 sessions (one each week over three months, in-person and virtual) that focus on areas critical to the growth and development of companies and business owners. Students—each representing their company—are then further supported with business coaching, mentoring, and access to technical resources for a full year.
Congratulations to the 21 graduating companies:
- A+ Tree & Crane Services, Inc.
- All-Pro Builders & Restoration
- D Squared Construction Services\
- Enviro Ablatio Servizi, LLC
- Floortex Integrated LLC
- It Sparkles It Shines It’s Clean!, Inc.
- JL | Service Group Inc
- Lauren Ashely Construction
- LRH Unlimited LLC
- One Accord Services LLC
- P&G Development LLC & Vision Homes LLC
- Precision Striping
- Pullen Boy Hauling
- Rhythms Welding LLC
- SGS Contracting, LLC
- T&M Construction Group LLC
- The Peay Group, LLC
- Timely Transportation & Logistics, Inc
- Wenscom Glass LLC
- Wind Rose Construction
- Winstead Landscape Services Co.
“Completing this program allowed me to amplify the skills I’ve learned in construction and combine them with the power of collaboration,” said graduate Valerie Del, D2 Construction Services. “Embracing collaboration is essential for career elevation and achieving remarkable results in the industry.
“This course provided a great way to take steps towards achieving sustainable success.”
The CAGC Foundation serves the construction industry by financially supporting workforce development and research programs, activities and services in the Carolinas. For more information call (704) 372-1450.