Project of the Month: Auburn Construction celebrates two major ground-up training facility projects for IBEW Local 104

Norton, MA Auburn Construction marks a significant milestone with the completion of two substantial ground-up training facilities for IBEW Local 104 in Norton, Mass., and Epping, N.H. The projects reflect Auburn’s significant growth over the past two years, its ability to deliver increasingly complex construction projects, and the strength of a longstanding partnership with NES Group spanning 28 years.

Auburn provided preconstruction and construction management services for both facilities, collaborating with NES Group and IBEW Local 104 from initial budgeting and planning through completion. Together, the projects demonstrate Auburn’s capacity to take on larger-scale construction while maintaining the hands-on management, communication, and client-first approach that have defined the company’s work for decades.

“For the past 28 years, NES Group has had the privilege of working alongside Auburn Construction, building a relationship founded on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional results,” said Craig Fishman, principal and COO of NES Group. “What makes our relationship with Auburn so special is the people behind it – the professionalism, dedication, and teamwork that both organizations bring to every project.”

The first project, the 13,000 s/f Norton Training Facility, was completed in July. Designed to support classroom instruction and hands-on learning, the new building presented significant site challenges, including high groundwater, unsuitable soils, and wet weather during the early stages of construction. Auburn worked closely with the design and subcontractor teams to develop solutions involving temporary sloping, retention, and extensive dewatering operations, helping the project progress through complex sitework and underground installations.

In November, Auburn completes the larger 40,000 s/f OSHE Training Facility in Epping. The building features classrooms, an expansive indoor training area with ten climbing poles, a second-floor overlook, and a 68,000 s/f exterior training yard equipped with live electrical towers. These specialized spaces provide opportunities for classroom instruction and practical training in realistic working environments.

Construction in Epping extended through the winter, requiring careful planning and adjustments to the construction sequence. Auburn implemented a strategy that allowed framing to advance ahead of concrete slab placement when necessary, helping maintain progress despite challenging weather conditions. Across both projects, proactive planning and close coordination were essential to navigating distinct site conditions and delivering the facilities successfully.

“Completing both these projects in 2026 shows the continued growth at Auburn and the continued strengthening of our three-decade-long relationship with the NES Group,” said Marc Bullio, vice president / project executive at Auburn Construction. “This was a challenging project representing a major leap forward for the lineman training capabilities for Local 104, and Auburn was selected to partner with both NES and Local 104 from budgeting through final completion.”

Beyond the construction accomplishment, the facilities reflect a shared commitment to safety and workforce development. Their specialized training environments will support IBEW Local 104’s efforts to prepare electrical lineworkers for the demands of their profession.

For Auburn, the successful completion of both projects reinforces a core principle: construction is about more than delivering buildings. It is about understanding client goals, solving challenges collaboratively, and developing relationships that extend well beyond a single project.

“Our successful collaboration with NES Group spans 28 years and is built on a foundation of trust, teamwork, and a shared commitment to excellence,” said David Kelliher, president of Auburn Construction. “We are grateful to our clients for placing their trust in us and to the dedicated teams at Auburn and NES Group whose hard work, collaboration, and commitment make these projects successful. We take great pride in these relationships and look forward to continuing our work together for many years to come.”

As Auburn continues to grow, the Norton and Epping facilities stand as examples of what can be accomplished through experienced teams, strong partnerships, and a relationship-driven approach to construction.

IBEW Local 104 - Norton, MA Project Team:

• Auburn Construction - Construction Manager
• NES Group - Architect | Owners Project Manager
• J&M Brown - Electrical Construction
• Bostonian Electric & Control Solutions, Inc. - Control Wiring
• Sunrise Erectors, Inc. - Facade Contractor
• Frazier Sheet Metal, Inc. - HVAC Sheet Metal

OSHE Local 104 - Epping, NH Project Team:

• Auburn Construction - Construction Manager
• NES Group - Architect | Owners Project Manager
• Jones & Beach Engineers Inc. - Civil Engineer