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V O L . X X I I I N O. I JA N UA R Y 9 , 2 0 1 7 20 C ontractors around the state are reporting that they're busier than ever as aging demograph- ics, demand for housing and relatively low interest rates are creating new project opportunities. "I think that we're heading in a better direc- tion this year than we have in quite some time," says Matt Marks, CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Maine. Kevin French, co-founder of Landry/French Construction Co., says that the firm saw a 67% growth in revenues in 2016 and that it has a signifi- cant backlog for the year ahead. "ere's a lot of work out there now," French says. "Everybody has confidence in the direction the economy is going." Mark Adams, president and CEO of Sebago Technics Inc. in South Portland, says that 2016 has been one of the most successful years in company history. "We're seeing very strong activity," says Adams. He is particularly heartened that demand for survey work remained robust even as snow fell. "It's another great indicator that people are wanting to sell or survey property in preparation for development," he adds. In addition to seeing a larger volume of work, con- tractors are reporting that they're seeing larger projects. Scott Tompkins, director of business development for PC Construction Co., noted that in the past the company's largest projects in Maine had topped out at around $40 million. Last year, the com- pany completed a $61.3million project at Bath Iron Works. PC Construction is serving as construc- tion manager on a three-school, $46 million school renovation project in Kennebunk for RSU21, as well as projects totaling $95 million for e Jackson Lab. at Jackson Lab work includes $74 million worth of work on its planned research center in Ellsworth Kevin French, co-founder of Landry/ French Construction Co., outside the Maine Correctional Center re-entry facility for female prisoners, a recent project in Windham. P H O T O / T I M G R E E N WAY Cranes in the air Commercial development is booming, but concerns grow B y J e n n i f e r V a n A l l e n F O C U S N O TA B L E D E V E L O P M E N T P RO J E C T The Jackson Lab Ellsworth and Bar Harbor Project details: Construction of a research center in Ellsworth and a Center for Biometric Analysis in Bar Harbor Estimated cost of construction: $95 million Construction manager: PC Construction Co. P H O T O / G O O G L E M A P S

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