The inaugural Build Louisiana Awards recently recognized contractors for their outstanding contributions to the state’s construction landscape. Held in Baton Rouge, the event celebrated projects ranging from casino renovations to interstate improvements and canal restorations. Organized by the Louisiana Associated General Contractors (AGC), the awards aimed to highlight the best in the industry, drawing inspiration from the prestigious Build America Awards presented by the Associated General Contractors of America.
The ceremony saw participation from numerous firms, with a total of 36 entries submitted for consideration. The awards featured categories across four divisions: building, highway and transportation, utility infrastructure, and federal, heavy, and coastal projects. Each division was further split into small and large-scale categories based on contract value, ensuring a fair evaluation of projects of varying sizes.
Reldon Owens, CEO of the Louisiana AGC, noted that the timeline for nominations was intentionally aligned with the national awards to encourage greater participation. Typically, only a few Louisiana firms submit projects for the Build America awards, but this year, the adjusted application process led to an increase, with eight to ten submissions. “It’s a fast-paced industry,” Owens remarked. “Sometimes we’re so busy building the future that we forget to stop and celebrate our wins.”
The inaugural gala exceeded expectations, attracting approximately 50% more attendees than anticipated. An outside panel of 42 judges, comprising engineers, architects, and industry professionals, evaluated the submissions. This independent assessment added credibility to the awards, showcasing the quality of work being done across Louisiana.
Award Winners Highlighted Across Categories
The winners of the 2025 Build Louisiana Awards reflect the diverse and innovative approaches taken by contractors in the state. In the building category, projects were recognized in two segments based on contract value.
In the category for projects over $10 million, the winner was Ryan Gootee for the renovation of Harrah’s, while the merit award went to JB Mouton for the Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. In the under $10 million segment, Ryan Gootee also won for the Board of Trade, with RNGD receiving merit for the Regional HQ Campus.
The highway category showcased significant infrastructure developments. For projects exceeding $25 million, Gilchrist was awarded for the Loyola Drive / Interstate 10 Interchange, while Boh secured a merit award for the Interstate 10 & College Drive Flyover Ramp. In the under $25 million segment, RNGD won for the Globalplex Access Bridge, and Hand Construction earned merit for the Shreveport Gate Capacity Expansion.
Utility infrastructure projects were also recognized, with RNGD winning in the over $20 million category for the St. Anthony Group A. In the under $20 million segment, Boh Brothers took home the award for the French Quarter ROW Improvements, while Wharton Smith received merit for the New Cheniere Water Storage Tank & Duplex Pump Station.
In the federal, heavy, and coastal categories, Cycle Construction won for the 17th St. Canal project, while Massman was honored for the Algiers Lock Dolphin Replacement in the under $10 million category.
The Build Louisiana Awards not only celebrate the achievements of contractors but also aim to foster a spirit of collaboration and recognition within the industry. As the construction landscape continues to evolve, events like these play a crucial role in highlighting the importance of quality and innovation in building a better future for Louisiana.
