Construction Corps, a design-build contractor in Clearwater, FL, has been named an honoree of the 16th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards. Just two months after being announced as a finalist, the company moved up to honoree status, a milestone that belongs to the crews, office staff, and clients who made it possible.
What Is the GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Award?
The GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Award recognizes second-stage companies headquartered in Florida. These are businesses that have moved past the startup phase and are showing real momentum.
The program launched in 2011 in partnership with the Edward Lowe Foundation, and GrowFL supports Florida CEOs through membership, leadership development, and peer learning.
Honorees are judged on a defined set of qualities:
- Growth
- Leadership
- Innovation
- Company culture
- Community impact
- Potential for continued success
The field is competitive. This year's program drew nearly 500 nominations from communities across Florida, and 94 companies advanced as finalists before the honorees were chosen. Earning a place on that final list means a company stood out on several of those measures at once.
Why Construction Corps Earned This Recognition
Construction Corps was founded in 2022 by U.S. Army combat veteran Matt Thompson, who brings more than 35 years of hands-on construction experience to the company. His wife, Serena, co-leads the business, and his brother George serves as lead foreman in the field. That family-led structure shapes how the company operates.
The company handles design, engineering, permitting, and construction under one contract. It holds six Florida licenses in-house, covering general contracting, engineering, electrical, plumbing, mold remediation, and mold assessment. W-2 crews perform field work alongside vetted, licensed trade partners.
Construction Corps is also certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Together, these pieces reflect the leadership, culture, and growth that the award program looks for.
What This Honor Means for Our Design-Build Clients in Tampa Bay
Homeowners and business owners hire a design-build contractor in Clearwater to avoid the gaps that appear when architects, engineers, and builders work separately. Construction Corps keeps those roles under one roof, so plans are written with real construction knowledge and priced against real conditions before work begins.
For clients, that structure means fewer handoffs and one accountable team from the first consultation through final inspection. Projects range from custom homes and ADUs to additions, remodels, and commercial build-outs in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. Recognition from GrowFL supports the approach the company has applied since day one.
Community Service After Hurricanes Helene and Milton
Community impact is one of the award criteria, and the company's response to the 2024 hurricane season is part of its story. After Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Construction Corps team volunteered to provide demolition, construction, and mold remediation assistance to local families.
The company also loaned drying equipment to homeowners who needed it, and it delivered care kits on Clearwater Beach. Matt Thompson has said the team approaches this kind of work the way veterans approach service: with discipline, accountability, and a commitment to finishing the job. Helping neighbors recover is part of the responsibility that comes with being a builder.
Celebrating With the 2026 Honoree Class in Orlando
Honorees will be celebrated at GrowFL's 16th Annual CEO Summit and Awards Gala, scheduled for February 24-26, 2027, at Universal Orlando Resort. The Construction Corps team plans to attend and celebrate alongside the other companies recognized this year.
GrowFL reports that the 2026 honorees together generate more than $727 million in annual revenue and employ over 2,700 people across the state. Being counted among them is a point of pride for a company that is only a few years old, and it keeps the team focused on what comes next.
Trust Your Build With a Recognized Design-Build Contractor in Clearwater, FL
Recognition like this is earned one project at a time. Construction Corps thanks GrowFL, its sponsors, and every client and team member who helped the company reach this point. If you are planning a new home, an ADU, an addition, a remodel, or a commercial project in the Tampa Bay area, call 727-999-1855 to schedule a consultation.
Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only. Recognition from GrowFL reflects the program’s own selection process and does not guarantee the outcome, cost, or timeline of any individual construction project. Construction Corps is not endorsed by GrowFL or its sponsors beyond this honoree designation. Award details, dates, and statistics are drawn from information published by GrowFL and may change.
Sources
- GrowFL, Florida Companies to Watch program: https://www.growfl.com
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Construction Corps certification profile: https://search.certifications.sba.gov/profile/YMQ2CKYNR2P5/9NJ60
