The Large Industry Award recognizes a business that supports the community while contributing to the success of Sanford and Lee County.

This community has been part of our story since 1969. As our company has grown, the relationships we’ve built here have remained at the heart of who we are. This recognition means a great deal to us because it comes from the community that has supported us from the beginning.

We’re grateful to our team members, whose hard work makes everything we do possible, and to the clients, partners and neighbors who continue to place their trust in us. 

We were also proud to see Richard Oldham recognized for his service as chair of SAGA’s Board of Directors from 2024 to 2026.

Thank you to the Sanford Area Growth Alliance for a special evening and for this great honor. 

The post Sanford Contractors Receives 2026 Large Industry Award appeared first on Sanford Contractors.

Awarded to SCI in January 2025 by the NCDOT, these projects are now moving into construction, with crews beginning work in April 2026. These reconstruction projects represent an important step in restoring access for local residents and reconnecting key routes throughout the Burnsville community.

Sanford Contractors will replace three bridges:

Bridges 62 and 100 will be constructed in phases to help maintain access for nearby residents throughout construction. The original structures at both locations were washed away during the storm, and temporary railcar crossings were installed to provide interim access until permanent replacements can be built.

At Bridge 97, the previous structure was also destroyed, and the crossing has remained inaccessible since the storm. This location serves as a critical connection across the South Toe River, and restoring this crossing will provide an important benefit to the surrounding community.

Rebuilding after major storms takes coordination and strong partners. Sanford Contractors is proud to support these efforts by delivering structures that will serve Yancey County for years to come.

The post Sanford Contractors Begins Bridge Reconstruction in Yancey County appeared first on Sanford Contractors.

The NCDOL Safety Awards program recognizes employers with exceptional safety performance and a strong, ongoing commitment to workplace safety.

At Sanford Contractors, safety drives everything we do. We look out for each other, meet our commitments, and deliver work we’re proud to stand behind. This companywide recognition reflects the daily care and effort our people bring to maintaining safe, high-performing jobsites.

This year’s awards include:

Building Division: Gold Award (sixth consecutive year)
Bridge Division: Gold Award
Site Division: Silver Award
Support Services: Gold Award
Utility Division: Gold Award

Thank you to every SCI team member for making safety a priority and setting the standard across our company.

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Sanford Contractors has been a trusted partner in the development of Wendell Falls since 2014. Located just east of Raleigh, this 1,500-acre master-planned community is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the Triangle and a long-term project built on collaboration and trust.

When Brookfield Properties (formerly Newland Communities) acquired the property, much of the initial infrastructure was incomplete. Sanford Contractors stepped in early to evaluate existing conditions and develop a clear strategy. That early involvement laid the foundation both literally and figuratively for a successful first phase.

Since then, our Site Development Division has delivered a full range of services, including clearing, earthwork, storm drainage, water and sewer, curb and paving, retaining walls, and landscaping. We have also supported value engineering, preconstruction budgeting, and scheduling to help align sitework with home sales goals.

More than a decade in, Wendell Falls continues to grow, and Sanford Contractors remains a committed partner in its progress. This ongoing effort reflects the strength of long-term relationships and the value of a sitework team that knows how to build for lasting community success.

Click here to learn more about the Wendell Falls project and our continued role in its development.

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The morning included a hot breakfast from Woodard’s Family BBQ, custom “Zero Lost Time” shirts, and recognition from leadership. Beyond the celebration, it was a chance to acknowledge the consistency, awareness, and teamwork that drive safe work across every project.

Celebrating milestones like this reinforces what matters most: doing the job the right way, looking out for one another, and keeping safety at the forefront of every task.

Congratulations to our Utility Division for leading by example. We’re committed to maintaining this momentum and keeping safety at the center of all we do.

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Our Building Division recently completed two smaller-scale projects that perfectly illustrate our relationship-first approach. Through clear communication, thoughtful planning, and strong partnerships, these projects delivered results and made an impact far beyond their size.

Mountaire HR Office Renovation

For our longtime partners at Mountaire, we recently completed a 2,100 sq ft renovation of their HR office in Siler City, featuring three private offices and an open-concept workspace. While the footprint was modest, the project presented several challenges: unexpected existing utilities, working in an occupied space, and a tight coordination window.

Thanks to the leadership of Project Manager Drake Howard and Superintendent Will Helms, every challenge was met with collaborative problem-solving. Careful scheduling, daily communication, and close attention to noise control and cleanliness ensured minimal disruption to Mountaire’s day-to-day operations.

“Clear communication and the trust we’ve built with Mountaire allowed us to very quickly resolve each challenge the team faced,” shared Drake.

OT Sloan Park Improvements

At the same time, we teamed up with another longtime partner, Lee County Government, on a unique project at OT Sloan Park. Initially planned as a larger building project, the scope was reduced due to funding constraints, refocusing entirely on the County’s first fully accessible playground and related site improvements.

With a strong relationship already in place, the team navigated the shifting scope smoothly and kept the project on track.

Led by Duncan Lundy, who served as both Superintendent and Project Manager, the team installed playground structures, sidewalks, turf, signage, retaining walls, and other civil features. Despite winter weather challenges, the project was completed ahead of schedule, with a ribbon-cutting celebration held before the deadline.

Building with Trust

At Sanford Contractors, we’re committed to supporting our partners and delivering the highest quality project possible—whether it’s a large-scale development or a small community improvement. We believe that when you build with people in mind, even the smallest efforts can create a lasting impact.

As our founder, Norman T. Oldham, once said:

“If you do good work, you’ll always have something to do.”

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Josh was invited to lead two sessions at the conference. The first was a fireside chat where he shared his daily approach to erosion control. The second was an interactive Q&A workshop in which he addressed scenarios posed by the audience. Reflecting on this opportunity, Josh said, “It means a lot to be recognized for how you approach your work. Committing to excellence every day takes hard work and dedication, so having this acknowledged is a real accomplishment.”

A standout aspect of Josh’s involvement is his passion for guiding the next generation of erosion control professionals. He noted, “It’s nerve-wracking to get up in front of others and teach – but it is so worth it to share your experience with younger people who may need guidance. Don’t shy away from learning opportunities and share your knowledge with others – this is what has helped me along my journey!”

This year’s conference isn’t Josh’s first; he was also a guest speaker at the 2020 IECA Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. His exceptional skills have led to numerous additional opportunities to share his expertise, including presentations alongside Wake County staff at seminars and appearances on Wake TV. These opportunities stem from his solid relationships with Wake County Environmental Services inspectors, who have consistently recognized and valued his meticulous work.

So, what is the key to erosion control excellence? According to Josh, it’s thorough preparation and a genuine commitment to doing the right thing. “I don’t want to fail, and I want to go home at the end of each day knowing that I did everything I could to ensure my sites are compliant. You must have a solid plan upfront and continue to think ahead as you progress. Preparation is crucial – it’s the Sanford Contractors way.”

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Division: Utility Construction + Commercial Building + Bridge Construction

Service Period: January 2023 – August 2024

Scope: SCI’s Utility Division led the charge on significant upgrades to the 210 Wastewater Treatment Facility in Johnston County. This project improved the facility’s effluent handling capabilities and dechlorination capacity, meeting the needs of the booming surrounding area.

Services: The Utility Division installed approximately 22,600 linear feet of 30” force main and 1,100 feet of 48” effluent gravity outfall leading to the facility’s discharge site on the Neuse River. Concurrently, SCI’s Bridge Division built the effluent force main headwall, and the Building Division constructed the dechlorination facility building.

Success: This large project was completed on time, thanks to the concerted team effort of three SCI operating divisions + partners.

Highlight: On Friday, October 4^th, SCI joined Johnston County staff, elected officials, media members and our partners at the 210 Wastewater Treatment Facility open house to celebrate the completion of this critical piece of county infrastructure.

The post SCI Project Feature: Johnston County 210 Effluent Force Main & Dechlorination Facility appeared first on Sanford Contractors.

Here’s one example how the Commercial Building Division team built with trust:

In September 2019, SCI completed construction of the Raleigh Exec Jetport. It took just over a year to put the finishing touches on Raleigh’s premier hub for commercial and recreational aviation. The two-story terminal building includes multiple conference rooms, a pilot’s lounge with a full bathroom, and sleeping quarters. The second floor features a covered observation deck with spectacular views of the runways.

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A group of SCI Team Members represented the company earlier this summer at the Boys and Girls Club 5th Annual Clays 4 Club Kids tournament. Throughout the event, one individual stepped up at almost every station to help the rest of the team. He told other SCI team members when to shoot the clays at certain heights and when to be patient and wait. After someone missed a shot, he would offer advice, so the same mistake wouldn’t be made again. He took charge and put team members in position to succeed.

In the end, this individual guided SCI to a first place finish out of 27 teams. True leaders lead by example, and that’s exactly what Matthew Spartz did. SCI Bridge Construction Engineer, Matthew not only tied for the top shooter in the tournament, but he helped each person on the team be successful. We appreciate the leadership and wisdom Matthew imparted to the team, allowing everyone to be successful.

It’s leaders like Matthew that make Sanford Contractors a reliable company and steadfast partner—whether shooting clays to benefit the community or on the jobsite, building with trust.

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