Building for Growth in the Carolinas: How Population and Travel Trends Are Shaping Essential Infrastructure

Across the Carolinas, growth is no longer a future consideration. It is here, and it is reshaping the way communities move, learn, receive care and support commerce. 

North Carolina is projected to add another 534,000 residents between 2025 and 2030, while South Carolina is also expected to continue growing as more residents and businesses move to the state, reinforcing the Carolinas as one of the fastest-growing regions in the country. At the same time, travel demand continues to rise. Charlotte Douglas International Airport welcomed 53.6 million passengers in 2025, its second-busiest year on record, while Raleigh-Durham International Airport projected 15.5 million passengers in 2025 after adding new airlines and nonstop destinations.  

That kind of growth brings opportunity, but it also puts pressure on the infrastructure that supports daily life. Airports must move more passengers safely and efficiently. Colleges and universities must expand and modernize without disrupting students. Health care systems must increase access while maintaining critical operations. Distribution, manufacturing and services facilities must adapt to support a growing population and evolving economy. 

For Messer, meeting that demand requires more than building space. It requires planning, phasing, communication and a deep understanding of how to work in active environments where shutdowns are limited, schedules are tight and disruption must be minimized. 

Airports: Keeping People Moving While Building for What’s Next

Airports are often the first place growth becomes visible. More residents, more businesses and more visitors mean more flights, fuller terminals and greater demand for passenger amenities, baggage systems, security infrastructure and airfield support. 

At Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Messer has supported multiple projects that reflect this need for thoughtful expansion within an active, high-traffic environment. On the Concourse B Renovation, Messer completed extensive planning and coordination to safely renovate the space while the concourse continued full-scale operations. A large portion of the work was completed overnight, with the site returned to a clean condition by 5 a.m. each day to support passenger safety and airport operations.  

That same operational mindset was seen in Messer’s work on The Plaza at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, where the team created an airport-wide communication protocol using Lean daily methods and leveraged BIM coordination to address complex conditions, including existing baggage conveyor clearances. On the Concourse D Renovation, Messer’s ongoing work includes restroom renovations, hold room interior finish upgrades with new carpet, ceilings, wayfinding and dynamic signage, new gate portals, gate counter millwork upgrades, MEP infrastructure improvements, a fully upgraded HVAC system with four air handling units and building automation controls, modern telecommunications infrastructure and a new dual-fed redundant electrical service—all while keeping all areas open during construction.  

“As airports continue to see increased travel demand, successful construction will come down to precision,” said Zach Bornhorst, Aviation Segment Leader. “That means building around passengers, coordinating with multiple stakeholders and sequencing work so growth does not interrupt the experience airports are trying to improve.” 

Higher Education: Expanding Campus Capacity Without Disrupting Student Life

Population growth also affects higher education. Colleges and universities are being asked to support more students, update aging infrastructure and create modern learning and living environments that help attract and retain talent. 

In South Carolina, Messer’s work on Clemson University’s Chiller Plant Expansion and Upgrades demonstrates how infrastructure investments support long-term campus growth. The project expands the campus’s cooling capacity and includes the buildout of two cooling towers and two chillers, associated power infrastructure and accommodations for future cooling towers and chillers. Because the project is located on an active campus in a tightly confined area, Messer coordinated and preplanned work to minimize impacts on students and staff.  

At University of South Carolina Upstate, Messer completed the Palmetto Villas 5 Living Space Reconfiguration, a renovation of occupied apartment-style living units. The project required careful scheduling, limited-space coordination and adjusted work hours to reduce disruption to student life while the building remained occupied.  

According to Braden Busold, Vice President in Greenville, S.C., campus construction is not just about delivering a building. It is about protecting the student experience, maintaining safety and keeping campus operations moving. 

Health Care: Increasing Access While Protecting Critical Operations

Demand for health care services grows alongside community growth. More people means greater need for emergency care, specialty services, outpatient access and upgrades to existing facilities. But health care construction carries a unique challenge: work often happens in spaces where patient care must continue. 

Messer’s work with Bon Secours Mercy Health St. Francis Downtown reflects the coordination required in these environments. On the Cath Lab Renovation, the team coordinated medical equipment installation across several subcontractor scopes, worked through multiple shutdowns related to electrical, fire suppression and medical gas systems, and still finished two weeks ahead of schedule and under budget.  

At Bon Secours Mercy Health Five Forks, Messer delivered a new 12,000-square-foot freestanding emergency department that includes exam rooms, lab and radiography. The project used Messer’s in-house virtual design and construction expertise to coordinate complex health care components, support schedule and quality, and identify prefabrication opportunities.  

Messer also supported Atrium Health with air handling unit mechanical renovations at Carolinas Medical Center, where operating rooms remained active throughout the project except for planned weekend shutdowns. Effective communication with ICUs, surgical staff and recovery teams was essential to the project’s success.  

“In growing regions, health care construction has to balance speed with sensitivity,” said Bill Keckeis, Project Executive. “That requires teams that understand infection control, patient safety, shutdown planning and the importance of clear communication with clinical staff.” 

Manufacturing: Supporting the Economy Behind the Growth

Population growth not only increases demand for public-facing spaces, it also strengthens the need for the facilities behind the scenes: manufacturing plants, distribution hubs, service centers and operational spaces that support jobs, goods and supply chains. 

Working with a Fortune 500 global manufacturing company, Messer transformed 50,000 square feet of existing industrial warehouse space into manufacturing space, including new structural, architectural, MEP and process MEP systems, shipping and receiving areas, restrooms, an enclosed loading dock, conference room, office space and prep/service spaces. The renovation was completed within a secure, active manufacturing plant and required close coordination, quality oversight and accountability among all project partners.  

On the Siemens Energy Civil and Plating Line Expansion and Addition, Messer worked with Siemens to avoid disruption to production during the expansion. The team used Digital Twin and 3D BIM to improve visualization, reduce costs and support schedule acceleration.  

“These types of projects are essential to regional growth,” said Tom Hart, Vice President. “They support employment, production capacity and the movement of goods and services that keep communities functioning.” 

Building What Growth Requires

The Carolinas are growing quickly, and that growth is creating demand across multiple markets at once. Airports, higher education institutions, health care providers and manufacturing customers are all facing similar challenges: how to expand capacity, modernize facilities and protect ongoing operations at the same time. 

For Messer, the answer starts with early planning and continues through disciplined execution. Lean practices, virtual design and construction, prefabrication, Quality Leadership System processes and strong communication all play a role. But the larger value comes from understanding that construction in a growing region is not just about responding to today’s pressure. It is about helping customers prepare for what comes next. 

As more people call the Carolinas home, the region’s infrastructure must continue to evolve. The builders that making the greatest impact work safely in active environments, coordinate with care and deliver projects that strengthen the communities they serve. 

Messer is proud to help build that future across Charlotte, Raleigh, Greenville and the communities throughout the Carolinas that are growing with them.