Graham Construction Services recently held an open house at its new facilities at 917 20th Avenue SE. Graham, based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, employs 1,300 people throughout North America including eight in Minot.

Matt Ruhland is one of two project managers in the Minot office. He said Graham first came to Minot to help build a small shopping center at Minot Air Force Base, then followed up with two dormitories on base. Oil production then took off in the region and Graham further established its connections here.

In even more recent times, Graham managed the construction of the new Minot International Airport, the South Prairie School addition, a city hall renovation in Tioga and is working on a 12-plex in White Shield as well as a new school there.

That kind of growth caused Graham to seek larger quarters in the Magic City, Ruhland said.

Submitted Photo The new Minot International Airport is just one of the construction projects managed by Graham Construction Services in recent years.

“As we’ve grown up here and developed new jobs and clientele, we’re getting more and more equipment and expanding our capabilities….so we needed the shop space and yard space.”

The expansion could not come at a better time, as Ruhland says construction seems to be picking up, having reached a low point about a year ago.

“Recently it seems like there’s a few more things coming up. I think it is picking up a little,” he said, a sentiment he’s also heard from others in the business locally.