Displaying items by tag: Associated Builders and Contractors

Ryan Bennett used to be bothered by apprentices staring at their phones while on the job. Now, he lets it slide.

Recent year-end reports on non-residential construction activity softening and a plunging average project backlog are giving West Michigan construction leaders some reason for concern going into 2021.

West Michigan’s construction industry has long faced a talent shortage fueled by a worker exodus during the 2008 recession, stigma around going into skilled trades, and firms failing to recruit a diverse workforce. 

West Michigan construction firms are reporting dramatic increases in the cost of materials and project delays because of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the restaurant, office and retail sectors. 

GRAND RAPIDS — Construction companies and contractors are figuring out what a shelter in place order for Michigan means for their projects.

Even with a number of large-scale projects being built, West Michigan developers say they’re still thinking big for 2019. Multiple real estate and construction executives say they see no sign of the industry slowing down in the new year, although many believe companies’ focus could shift away from market-rate housing in downtown Grand Rapids. 

More so than many other areas of the country, West Michigan has experienced tremendous growth in 2018, according to Anirban Basu, who serves as the chief economist of the Associated Builders and Contractors, a national trade group. His outlook is less rosy for 2019, which could be a transitional year for the U.S. economy. Meanwhile, he thinks 2020 could be the beginnings of the next economic downturn. 

HUDSONVILLE — With a significant number of available jobs in the U.S. and persistently low national unemployment, companies looking for workers will struggle in 2019.

The rising price of steel and other building materials might cause sticker shock for some developers, but the costs are doing little to curb building activity around West Michigan.

Despite ongoing concerns about a talent gap, employment in West Michigan’s construction industry continues to rise.