In April 1973, Ed Morgan started Morgan Construction Company after graduating from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and working several years as an outside multi-line insurance adjustor, specializing in property damage. He first began working with insurance losses and remodeling, but this soon segwayed into home building. When the local township installed main line sewage, a truck and backhoe were purchased, and Ed began subbing sewer line installation and residential sewer laterals, in addition to building projects.

Recession Hits Pittsburgh:

Between the years of 1980 and 1983, recession of the steel industry in Pittsburgh caused construction to come to a halt. Ed and his family were forced to relocate and chose Atlanta due to its thriving economy, bringing several employees with them.

In 1984, Ed was joined by his brother-in-law, Guy Rimoldi, in order to expand the company. Guy had spent most of his late childhood and early adulthood working with and running several of his father’s businesses around the Pittsburgh area. With a background in business administration, Rimoldi has always had a knack for working with numbers, generating the most efficient processes, all while making sure both employees and clientele are kept satisfied.

In its formative years, Earth Development, Inc. (EDI) forged key partnerships with Jim Andrews of American Residential Properties and Mercer Dye of Dye Construction. These collaborations led to a series of successful projects and cultivated a culture of trust, integrity, and performance within EDI. The principles instilled by Guy and Ed, along with Mercer Dye’s mentorship, propelled EDI to achieve an impressive 80% repeat customer rate. This dedication to excellence solidified EDI’s reputation as the premier grading contractor in the Atlanta area, marking a significant milestone in its growth and success.

Dart Container Success (1987-2005):

Earth Development secured the site development contract for Dart Container Corporation’s expansions in Lithonia, Georgia, marking their entry into industrial projects. The team’s stellar performance led to two more Dart Container expansions over eighteen years, including a significant five million dollar site work package. This exemplifies EDI’s exceptional ability to maintain repeat business with a customer for over two decades.

Evolution into Full Site Package Contractor (1989):

In 1989, Earth Development transitioned into a full site package contractor, offering turn-key services that encompassed various construction elements like site walls, cast-in-place structures, and paving. This strategic move allowed EDI to undertake successful turn-key packages for anchor store and facility owner Brunos, shaping the company’s portfolio with over twenty-five percent of contracts being full-service turn-key projects.

Mining Industry Triumph (1997):

In 1997, Earth Development ventured into the mining industry, securing a contract for the construction of a massive proposed rock quarry spanning six hundred and fifty acres in Paulding County for Florida Rock Industries. Leveraging their expertise in industrial site development, Earth Development achieved remarkable success, completing the project on time and within budget.

Diversification with PUD Project (2005):

In 2005, Earth Development expanded its portfolio by winning the site work package for a one hundred and thirty-acre Planned Unit Development (PUD) near North Point Mall in Alpharetta. This complex project, developed by three separate investment groups, included a diverse range of components such as apartments, single-family homes, high-rise office buildings, banks, and commercial retail facilities. Notably, the site package also featured a complete park with a lake and two miles of Greenway trails, showcasing Earth Development’s ability to handle intricate and multifaceted developments.

In 1988, Earth Development earned prestigious recognition from the world’s largest equipment manufacturer, marking the company as one of the fastest-growing site development businesses globally. The acknowledgment culminated in Earth Development gracing the cover of a national Caterpillar magazine. The featured article delved into EDI’s remarkable journey, highlighting the company’s mission and the principles instilled within its culture, which played a pivotal role in achieving significant growth. This milestone marked the beginning of numerous accolades for Earth Development, including safety awards, underscoring their pioneering Health and Safety program, acknowledged as unparalleled in the industry.

Today, Earth Development continues with ferocious innovation utilizing cutting edge technology, which makes it recognized as the leader in site development in Georgia as many of the competitors attempt to keep pace but fail. Earth Development performs all facets of developments, with massive amounts of experience in all types of developments, such as single family, multi-family, commercial warehouse, office facilities, retail, industrial, aviation facilities and mining. The team at Earth Development starts by offering scope diversity to the customer, allowing all their budget holes to be filled and fit the needs of each customer, then having the corporate infrastructure and capabilities to implement the contract scope of work and perform the work at a level that exceed the customer’s expectations. Whether your proposed site is an open thirty five acre project or intercity with shoring, hauling and traffic control challenges, Earth Development is the right fit for your organization.