What Have We Done for You Lately 

Carolinas AGC: Delivering the Goods

You’d almost have to see it to believe it.

“Wow, look around - unbelievable,” said Ron Shaw, President of Lee Construction Co., Inc., of the Carolinas. “This is one of the many reasons we’re proud members of our Carolinas AGC Family.”

Shaw, a CAGC Hall of Famer, was referring to our Contractors’ Showcase on Oct. 16^th that drew over 200 attendees (click here to see the action if you missed it.) The showcase, our first ever, was so popular, we’re planning several more in 2026 in both Carolinas.

In addition, here’s what we have done lately for our members:

Networking

• We held our annual Fall Clay Shoot on Oct. 10^th at Hyatt Farms with a record number of 215 attendees.
• We’re expecting a large turnout at our 10th Annual Young Leader Conference in November in Wilmington with almost 200 attendees already registered. We also have 415 Young Leaders – a record!
• CAGC is returning to Aruba – we already have over 450 attendees registered for the Annual Convention in January.
• Our 2026 Calendar of events will be coming out at the end of October – with more dates for our Donuts with Contractors, a members-only event that is drawing big crowds, and many other of our 100+ networking and education events throughout the Carolinas.

Government Relations

• CAGC Young Leaders visited the SC State House on Oct. 1^st for a firsthand look at the legislative process and to connect directly with such top policymakers as Sen. Russell Ott, and Reps. Micah Caskey and Gary Brewer.
• In NC, we continue working with the legislature on work zone safety, focusing on the use of speed cameras to enforce speed limits in work zones.
• We’re also working closely with SCDOT on modernization proposals including establishing a coordination council for mobility and transportation, modernizing procurement methods (progressive design-build, public-private partnerships) and new funding mechanisms.
• Without the passage of a budget by the NC General Assembly, we continue to monitor any progress and advocate for additional funding for Hurricane Helene repairs – and highway-heavy work elsewhere across the state.
• In both Carolinas, with recent changes to the Disadvantaged Business program by USDOT, we continue to monitor the changes and have provided input about the implementation of the changes as well as communicating the changes to members.
• CAGC worked with NC 811 to promote training sessions on the new NC 811 law that became effective Oct. 1^st.
• We hosted an NC State Construction Office/UNC System/CAGC Joint Committee Meeting recently.

Membership / Member Value

• Through Q3 of 2025, we welcomed 135 New CAGC Member Companies and have seen an increase in our renewing members as well as member engagement.
• We have increased the value to members through the CAGC Association Healthcare Plan and CAGC affinity programs which can save you big bucks.
• CAGC recently released a series of nine videos that highlight the people, partnerships and purpose that drive the construction industry across the Carolinas.
• CAGC recently hosted its 4th Annual Construction Technology Workshop in Raleigh, featuring innovative sessions on artificial intelligence and robotics, cybersecurity trends affecting the construction industry, and drone illumination innovations presented by the NCDOT -- continuing CAGC’s commitment to advancing technology within the industry.

CAGC Foundation

• 100+ New On-Demand Training Opportunities, with many topics, are being offered.
• Since 2023, 53 Construction Bootcamps have trained and launched 550+ new professionals into rewarding commercial construction careers.
• CAGC High School Chapters of the Carolinas began Sept. 8th. Twenty-one high schools and career tech centers are currently participating.
• CAGC recently conducted two NCCER Instructor Certification programs certifying 10 new craft instructors.
• McDowell Technical Community College has officially joined the CAGC Foundation Construction Bootcamp partnership, hosting its first program with 60+ enrolled students.
• Lane the Loader book is now offered on Amazon in paperback and eBook form.
• We’re re-accepting applications for the Construction Business Academy 9th cohort, kicking off in Charlotte on Nov. 6^th – details here – at a time when we've had nearly 200 graduates go through our CAGC Construction Business Academy.

CAGC Magazine / Awards

• The Fall issue of the Carolinas AGC magazine was published and mailed to members, featuring Hall of Fame winners, the Top Young Leader winners, a Summer Summit photo recap from Hilton Head, and more.

Dave Simpson, CAE, CAGC President & CEO, who has been with the association since 1989, can be reached at dsimpson@carolinasagc.org.