The Southeast's reputation for population and business growth appears to be playing out again, as metro areas from Miami to Atlanta are driving significant gains in construction activity.

As ENR Southeast notes elsewhere in this first 2014 print edition, the four-state region's construction prospects appear to be picking up considerably. For instance, McGraw Hill Construction is forecasting that the Southeast's percentage increase in 2014 construction contracts will easily outpace the nation during the coming year, with a 22% overall gain expected.