Louis Manzie Jr., owner Louis Manzie Inc., in Stroudsburg, PA, is one of 12 national finalists for the Contractor of the Year 2005.

The Contractor of the Year winner is selected on the basis of its growth over the past five years, recommendations it receives from customers and vendors and the contribution it has made to the construction industry.

It is the first — and only — national award of its kind.

“Contractors are playing a key role in the national economy, providing employment and new skills as well as literally building our communities — the roads and buildings we use every day,” said Bob Munt=z, of the Cat Rental Stores, an award sponsor and division of Caterpillar Inc. “The contractors we’ve chosen are leading the industry by example, developing their businesses profitably, safely and honorably.”

All finalists received a four-day trip to Las Vegas and attended the NASCAR Nextel Cup race courtesy of Caterpillar, sponsor of the No. 22 Caterpillar Dodge Intrepid.

The Cat Rental Stores, including CB Rents of Harrisburg, Pittston and White Deer, PA, where Louis Manzie Inc. is a customer, serve the rental needs of the construction, industrial and governmental sectors with a wide variety of equipment spanning 32 counties in central Pennsylvania. Along with a full line of Caterpillar machines, the stores stock portable generators, light towers, JLG personnel lifts, Wacker compactors, GME trench shields and other job-site equipment.

Of the five years this national award has been given, Cleveland Brothers has had a customer nominated each year for the last three.