Our Story

Cal and Jack Carter had an idyllic childhood growing up on the "Carter Block" in Minersville, Utah with their 6 brothers and sisters and a multitude of cousins until the tragic day when their mother passed away. Cal was sent to live with extended family while Jack went with their older sister. Even though they grew up apart they stayed close. As young adults they both served in WWII, Cal in the Navy and Jack in the Air Force. After the war Cal married Gaye Black and moved to her home town of Monticello, Utah. Cal was handy and the Black family had building needs, so a construction company naturally formed. He needed a good partner so he tracked down Jack in Shreveport, Louisiana where he had married Evelyn Brister. Together, the Carter Brothers set out to build Southern Utah. With their families, they moved from town to town to complete some of their first big projects, Minersville Elementary and an addition to Beaver Elementary.

In 1962 the Carters determined that Cedar City would be a good central location for the Carter Brothers construction company to call home. Carter Brothers quickly became active members of the community, building many buildings on the SUU campus and throughout Cedar City and Southern Utah more broadly. One of their most memorable projects was a renovation of the St. George Temple. For many years they were very active in the Nation Parks building and renovating various buildings in Zion National Park, The Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon National Park. As Carter Brothers grew, Cal's younger sons Curtis and Chad joined the business. Jack retired and Curtis and Chad took over the day to day operations of the business. Cal never could truly retire and was frequently found "down at the yard" working on various projects for Gaye, their children and grandchildren.

Curtis and Chad continued the legacy of the Carter Brothers while under a slightly different title; Carter Enterprises. Carter Enterprises established its presence as one of the top builders in Southern Utah. They completed many notable projects on the campus of Southern Utah University such as the Library, Business Building, Administration Building, the grandstand at Eccles Coliseum, renovations of Old Main and the Braithwaite Buildings, Teacher Education Building and the crowning jewel the Carter Carillon - named in honor of Carter Enterprises. Carter Enterprise earned the trust of public officials in Cedar City and Iron County completing large projects including the Airport, the Aquatic Center, the Iron County Jail and the Public Safety Building. In the commercial space, Carter Enterprise built or renovated numerous hotels, many commercial centers, health clinics and dozens of other buildings businesses small and large call home. They built schools, Enterprise Elementary and Navajo Mountain High School, Cedar Junior High and provided and installed the tilt up concrete panels for Canyon View High School. They branched into some civil construction, building well and pump houses for Iron County as well as a handful of bridge projects and walking trails. It's virtually impossible to visit Cedar City and not encounter a quality project completed by Carter Enterprises.

The third generation of Carter builders now carries on the legacy. Curtis's sons Dustin and Ryan lead the business while continuing to serve the Southern Utah community. They complete projects for Cedar City, Iron County, Southern Utah University and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They formed a residential branch, building quality custom homes, townhomes and apartment buildings. Carter Enterprise continues to be committed to Southern Utah, building the community they call home.