North Carolina has passed a new law (HB 857) that grants state and local government authorization to pursue design-build and public-private partnership project delivery.

Previously, local municipalities were required to seek state legislative approval prior to pursuing design-build contracts. According to the Design-Build Institute of America, this process significantly delayed projects across the state of North Carolina, costing communities valuable financial resources.

“The passage of HB 857 is great news for the state of North Carolina and for the country,” said Richard Thomas, the state and local legislative affairs director for DBIA. “Expanding authority to the local level provides communities with an expanded project delivery and financial toolbox to deliver projects. It also provides vital opportunities for small- and mid-sized companies to now compete for opportunities to work on projects to build and shape the North Carolina of tomorrow.”