Gratitude.
That's what the workers are saying they feel for their jobs, building the North Carolina Biotechnology Center's 20,000-square-foot addition.
"To a person, these folks say they're thankful to have this job," said Chris Krueger, project construction manager.
The addition should employ at least 200 people by the time it's completed next fall.
"The Biotechnology Center's mission for the past 25 years has been creating jobs in the biotech sector statewide," said Norris Tolson, the Center's president and CEO.
"But in this case, we're also delighted that we're able to help provide paychecks to these excellent North Carolina construction workers during this weak economy and continued downturn in building nationwide. It's especially meaningful this time of year."
Wrecking Rock, Pouring Concrete
Wednesday, for example, brought 22 people placing, spreading and screeding concrete for the foundation of the 20,000-square-foot, four-story building addition. There were also three electricians and a plumber. And several demolition workers also stayed busy breaking through rock that has gotten in the way of parking lot and building construction.
"So far we haven't seen the full complement of workers on the site," said Krueger, "and we probably won't until about January, after the steel goes up. But from January through June or so, we'll have days where easily 100 people will be working on this addition at one time.
"And close to April it'll probably be more, as crews install the terra cotta skin on the outside of the building while all the other trades work inside -- sheetrockers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, the whole group."
And the work is not all going to men. Though most of the workers are men, the project manager and the project eingineer for the general contractor, Skanska, are women.
"I just heard some of the concrete guys say they're starting to wonder already what they'll have next when the foundation is finished on this project," said Krueger. "It reinforced how grateful they are to have had this work during this rough time."