Spring has arrived, and as we use this season to venture out into our community, we can take the time to explore the changes occurring here. The influx of new industries into the region is bringing unprecedented growth, which can be daunting to some. However, these changes provide opportunities for job seekers, stability for families, and sustainability for small businesses. As a proactive community, we strive to meet the increasing needs driven by growth and remain strategic, considering future impacts when making decisions. Our county and city are frequently complimented for their decades of foresight. The need for conversations and actions around growth and conservation will continue to be met with a vision of preserving Lee County’s rural roots while making it a home of choice and prosperity for our children and grandchildren.
Our existing businesses will benefit from this growth, and the ripple effect produced will be felt throughout the community. An opportunity to witness this in action is through the work of a family-owned, local company that has been operating in Sanford since 1988. Carolina Commercial Contractors is at the forefront of this movement to make Sanford a better place to call home. Managing Members O.A. “Buddy” Keller and W. Carter Keller are passionate about the work they’re doing in their hometown. The company is currently working on two projects that will improve the quality of life for current and future residents: a new fire station and a hotel, respectively, which will greet commuters as they drive along US-1.
Earlier this month, SAGA had the pleasure of touring both facilities alongside Carolina Commercial Contractors’ Digital Marketing Manager, Kaitlyn Hockaday. Our first stop was the City of Sanford’s new fire station. The attention to detail on the building was immediately noticeable; it will be an attractive landmark as you arrive at the edge of Sanford. Hockaday explained that the structure’s large fire truck bays were designed so they could be entered and exited through both sides, with an exterior built with materials from Lee Brick. The interior will serve as a home away from home for Sanford firefighters, with bathrooms, a kitchen, and a gym. The project will be finished by the end of this year, providing yet another resource to enhance the safety of our expanding community.
A few minutes away was the second project: a Home2 Suites by Hilton Hotel located on Amos Bridges Road. Work is still underway as you enter, and Hockaday explained the ground floor’s layout with a reception desk next to a coffee bar, greeting guests as they walk in. Upstairs, hallways are framed with large windows to create a warm, sunny environment. One of the most convenient aspects of the hotel is the variety of rooms they offer. There are spaces for single travelers and walk-through suites for families, creating a great place to stay for people traveling for business or pleasure. Regardless of their purpose for traveling, all guests will be able to enjoy the hotel’s indoor swimming pool, complete with a locker room.
The ripple effect runs deep with Carolina Commercial Contractors, who are involved with several local organizations that work for the betterment of our community, including the Sanford Area Growth Alliance, the Raleigh Executive JetPort, the Lee County Education Foundation, the YMCA, the Central Carolina Community College Foundation, and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. SAGA is proud to have members like this who are devoted to making Sanford the best it can be in every way. Thank you to Carolina Commercial Contractors for being part of SAGA’s mission for an attractive, prosperous, and engaged community.
Crystal Gaddy, Business Retention and Expansion Manager