Greenville Business Magazine has named Ford Elliott, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman of Contender Development, Inc./Blackstream among the distinguished recipients of the 50 Most Influential in Business for 2024. Elliott’s 20 years of multifaceted experience in land development, construction, business acquisitions and running multiple businesses has landed him on this honored list three years running. He has led the Contender team to over $2 billion in active developments and boasts annual real estate sales at Blackstream exceeding $700 million with over 350 team members. Forming valuable, like-minded partnerships has always been key to his extraordinary success in business. Partnerships with Marriott International – who awarded Contender Development, Inc. with the Developer of the Year Award in 2024 – along with Hilton, Christie’s International Real Estate, DR Horton, Lennar Homes, NVR and Crystal Lagoons to name a few.

Spanning 1,500+ acres and targeting around 3,600 homes, Midway Landing is set to redefine coastal living with homesites available in 2026. Greenville, SC | January 08, 2025 - Contender Development, one of the largest land developers in South Carolina, is proud to announce the acquisition of a 1,500+ acre site in Bolivia, North Carolina for its newest and largest master-planned community to date, Midway Landing. Located just south of Wilmington and a mere 6 minutes from the pristine beaches of Oak Island, Midway Landing will be a coastal-themed master-planned community. With an approved preliminary plat, Contender Development is set to begin delivering homesites in 2026. The development of Midway Landing represents a significant economic and social impact for Bolivia, NC, and the surrounding region. This project will bring substantial growth and investment to the area, creating jobs in construction, retail, and various service sectors. With a plan for around 3,600 homes, Midway Landing will address the growing demand for housing in the coastal region. The project's proximity to Wilmington and Oak Island unique and beautiful beaches is expected to be a major draw for the community. Additionally, the development's scale and Contender's reputation suggest that it will likely include signature amenities and infrastructure improvements that could benefit the wider community. Ford Elliott, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman of Contender, commented on the company's growth and vision: "Midway Landing represents the culmination of our team's expertise and our commitment to creating vibrant, sustainable communities. We are thankful to our capital partners at Broadstreet for helping us bring another signature project to fruition. As we expand our footprint in the Southeast, we remain dedicated to our founding principle of partnering with like-minded companies to develop projects that bring lasting value to the communities we serve." This ambitious project marks a significant milestone for Contender as it continues to expand its reach throughout the Southeast. Contender now controls close to 30,000 lots in the Southeast. And, with a portfolio of nearly $2 billion in active developments across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida, Contender has firmly established itself as one of the premier real estate development firms in the region. Division President, Paul Luck, expressed his gratitude to Contender's partners, stating, "We are thrilled to work alongside our esteemed partners, NVR (DBA Ryan Homes) to bring this visionary project to life. Their support and expertise have been instrumental in making Midway Landing a reality." Midway Landing will offer a diverse range of housing options, including single-family homes, townhomes, and multifamily units, catering to various lifestyles and preferences.   About Contender Development, Inc.   Contender Development is a leading real estate development company specializing in residential, commercial, and hospitality projects. With a focus on quality and innovation, Contender has developed numerous properties across the Southeast U.S., including residential communities, mixed-use developments, hotels, and storage. The company's commitment to excellence and strong industry partnerships have positioned it as a key player in the real estate and hospitality sectors. For more information about Contender Development, Inc. and its projects, please visit www.contenderamerica.com .   For more information, please contact: Elizabeth Lord, Director of Marketing Contender Development Phone: (864) 775-5100  Email: elizabeth.lord@contenderamerica.com   ###

Contender's exponential growth in 2024 is largely due to the relationships we have successfully built with our industry partners, clients, and those whose collaborative efforts have contributed in such a tremendous way. We are excited to usher in 2025 with all of you!

Nestled on 50+ acres in Greenwood, South Carolina, Johns Creek is officially under construction! This 157 single family home community on Calhoun Road will offer multiple floor plans for new residents to choose from constructed by builder DR Horton. Greenwood’s Cultural District offers many dining venues. The Museum and Railroad Historical Center, the local Community Theatre and, most notably, the Arts Center, are among the varied spots of interest in the city center.

Check out this video of Harriett Circle. This 132 single family home community located in Anderson, South Carolina is progressing at a rapid pace. Grading is complete and we are moving on to wet and dry utility installs.

With deep knowledge of the southeast market, our team leverages extensive land development experience in the commercial and mixed-use sectors to provide unparalleled service. Our unwavering commitment to enhancing our communities drives us to create meaningful, lasting impacts in every project we undertake. Please contact us directly or go to the Sell Your Land tab to submit a request. Someone from our Land & Business Acquisitions Team will contact you promptly.

State and local representatives attended the 2024 South Carolina Housing Summit in Columbia, SC last week. More than 200+ participants, panelists and private business representatives converged to discuss innovations and trends in housing across the State of South Carolina. Contender was pleased to be one of the event sponsors. Senator Tom Davis, Representative Chandra Dillard, Representative Case Britain, and Federal Reserve Bank participant Dr. Laura Ullrich were among the presenters who joined with local constituents to shine a spotlight on the constantly changing landscape of zoning, permitting, land use and long-term sustainability. Innovative ways to address work force housing, homelessness, and other known obstacles in the current housing crisis in both South Carolina and the Nation at large were focal points of the day. Dr. Ullrich talked extensively about the relationship between housing and employment. She also touched upon the often overlooked Community Reinvestment Act credits that could be better utilized to incentivize the private sector and provide needed resources to promote stable housing solutions. Keynote Speaker, Dawn Dowden of Homes of Hope, gave a riveting talk about the impactful ways that housing affordability, or more pointedly the lack thereof, creates repercussions for families and children that encompass not only financial restrictiveness, but quality medical, educational and social fluctuations too. The Institute for Child Success was the name behind the face of the event. ICS serves children and families in more than 26 states through 48 distinct initiatives and projects. They have helped thousands of early childhood professionals gain the resources they need to help young children thrive. A special appearance by local artist, Ija Charles was enjoyed by all.

Chestnut Ridge, a community of 360 homes, is rapidly growing as new home sales exceed expectations. This DR Horton community offers both single family and townhomes. Amenities include a pool with clubhouse and pickleball courts. Located on Standing Springs Road with easy access to Greenville, Simpsonville and Greer, South Carolina.

Over 300 participants gathered at Fluor Field on Friday, October 25, as local businesses in South Carolina’s Upstate participated in Broadstreet, Inc.’s Annual Charity Flag Football Tournament, raising an astounding $62,540 to benefit Upstate Warrior Solution. “Contender was grateful to join Broadstreet in the effort to raise funds for the UWS. Supporting our local community is a top priority for our team,” commented Ford Elliott, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Chairman of Contender Development. UWS is a local nonprofit whose mission is to serve veterans in the Upstate of South Carolina by providing valuable and varied resources. In the last decade, their ability to empower and inspire veterans to thrive in their communities has allowed UWS to serve thousands of veteran warriors and their families to secure housing, employment, education and healthcare. Carlos Salgado, Chief Construction Officer at Contender, stated, “The tournament was a great time for fellowship while enjoying some friendly competition in support of a great cause. We’re looking forward to next year!”

Bridgeway, is one of Contender's newest infrastructure projects under construction in Laurens County. Once completed, Bridgeway will bring 142 Lennar single family homes to Fountain Inn. Siteworks is working on a stunning amenity package to serve this new community. Check back for updates as progress continues!

Veteran real estate developer and entrepreneur, Ford Elliott, sat down with Matt Lutz at The Deal Ranch. Episode 38 of The Deal Ranch Podcast is out now! Listen at the link below. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify .