Wilson Construction - Member Spotlight Blog

27 Jan 2017


Wilson Construction is a full-service general contractor located in Athens, Tennessee. Started by Keith Wilson in 2004, the company has grown to employ more than 20 people and focuses on public projects like work for the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and Chattanooga, road and culvert replacement, bridge rehabilitation, treatment plants, salt storage for TDOT, and numerous additions and renovations for Loudon, McMinn, Meigs, and Sequatchie county schools. They’re also skilled at new construction in the retail and industrial spaces for the private sector.

As a general contractor, Wilson Construction’s services are comprehensive, from pre-construction planning and budgeting work to every aspect of project management through completion. Wilson is unique from some contractors in that they can keep many of their services in-house, like foundation and concrete work, steel erection, and rough and finish carpentry. This helps them maintain control of the project and keep costs in check.

“We bring a complex team of professionals together – the owner, designers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers – to exceed our customers’ expectations,” says Keith Wilson, owner of Wilson Construction.
Wilson Construction’s labor force is mostly construction laborers, including equipment operators, iron workers, carpenters, and concrete finishers – all the construction trades. Wilson also employs two civil engineers who help supervise the construction projects in the public and private sector including roads, buildings, airports, tunnels, bridges, dams, and water supply and sewage treatment systems.
Some of Wilson Construction’s previous and current projects include:

  • Field house, concession and restroom construction in Meigs County High School
  • Multi-purpose facilities at Sequatchie County Schools
  • McMinn County Airport hangar and storage construction, including asphalt and concrete paving and special features
  • I-24 Weigh Scale in Manchester, Tennessee
  • Security upgrades at McMinn County Schools & McMinn County High School additions and renovations
  • Athens Market Park Pavilion
  • I-75 rest area construction
  • Infrastructure construction with the City of Chattanooga
  • Pedestrian mall at UTC – a four-acre student park area at the campus center including fountains, monuments, hardscapes, and landscapes

As a native of Athens, it was a natural fit for Keith to begin his business close to home. It meant he could stay close to friends and family, but still have easy access to several major markets to begin growing his business. He believes it’s one of the reasons Wilson Construction has been so successful in the Athens and Knoxville areas – and in the Chattanooga market.

“We are centrally located and about an hour either direction from two major markets. That proximity helps us to be competitive in both places, when most of our competition is based in either Knoxville or Chattanooga,” says Wilson. “I can still live and work in a small-town environment and be focused on building my business in McMinn County, but be close to major construction projects in a way that other companies can’t.”

Wilson believes that any growth in McMinn County is going to be good for the community as a whole, and in particular for small and medium-sized businesses. He’s also pleased with the work that’s happening around educating and developing the workforce in McMinn County.

“Obviously, we support growth in Athens and the surrounding areas, and I can see that the McMinn County Economic Development Authority has been instrumental in bringing new industry to town and maintaining close relationships with local business owners,” says Wilson. “In the future, I would love to have more local work and want to see our community continue to grow. Every time investments are made in this area and more industries come in, it’s a good thing for all of us.”

To learn more about Wilson Construction, please visit them online at http://www.wilsonbuilds.com/.