BY THOMAS G. ALBRECHT SR.
Can we top 2014?
With consumers feeling confident about
the job market,spending has been met with
steady growth especially in the construction
industry.
We all remember when the housing
industry was out of control about 6-7 years
ago when houses where selling faster than
they could be built and in some cases existing
homes where getting far more than they
were listed for.
What has changed is the steady growth,
where folks are taking additional time for
the larger purchases and really thinking
things through. The results are a much
healthier environment, which assures
confidence.
But the breaking news is the lack of the
labor force around the country and locally
as well. When have you seen so many “Help
Wanted” signs displayed in front of businesses?
The results of this epidemic will be higher
wages and higher cost of the end product to
the consumers. Investing in your employees
for the future should be of high priority in
the coming year and beyond if quality control
is to remain a top priority.
I am always amused that the consumers
perspective to pay a skilled carpenter
doesn’t warrant the same pay scale as a
mechanic. For instance, we all know the
cost of construction seems to always go up,
but more importantly, the cost of wages in
construction needs to go up so it mirrors
the same levels as other trades people and
give these young folks reasons for wanting
to make a career in this wonderful industry.
All signs point to a positive, steady growth
in 2015 with permits up across the country
and the baby boomers building their retirement
homes that will come with all the bells
and whistles.
Let’s keep this economy going with steady
growth, put more people to work and be
smart with our debt load.
This is a great area of the country with
wonderful people and a healthy environment
to raise our children. Let’s invest the
efforts to make this a better place.