FSC team competes in national event in Florida; Construction management students tackle 192-home project.

FITCHBURG - The Fitchburg State construction management program continued its strong showing at this year's annual National Association of Home Builders residential project management competition in Orlando, Fla.

According to a college press release, construction management students finished in 21st place during the competition. The group ranked in the middle of competing teams for the third consecutive year. Fitchburg State competed against 33 other teams, and the University of Arizona took first place.

"Each year the teams have gotten better, but each year the competition gets tougher," said the group's adviser, James Andrews, associate professor of construction technology.

The team includes students Adam Blais of Southbridge, Sean Cruise of Lakeville, Brad Nelson of Pepperell, Kevin Neville of Wilmington, Shane Perrault of Pittsfield, Craig Saad of Moosup, Conn., and Robert Sanford of Auburn.

The competition challenged construction management students over a two-month period to estimate total cost to construct a 192 single-family home subdivision to be built in Windermere, Fla., schedule the build out, and complete the financials for the project, which was estimated at $54.4 million.

The 350-page business plan from the Fitchburg State team included sections on market analysis, a marketing plan, management strategy...