By Doug Ford
As we look ahead to 2026, the Saratoga, Warren, and Washington County region continues to stand out as one of the stronger construction markets in upstate New York. While 2025 delivered steady but cautious growth, the year ahead makes one thing increasingly clear: opportunity alone will not drive success. Our ability to meet demand, deliver projects, and sustain economic growth will depend largely on whether we have the workforce to do so.
Construction activity in 2025 reflected resilience across much of the region, even as growth came in slower than many originally anticipated. Residential development remained strongest in communities such as Saratoga Springs, Malta, and Clifton Park, where demand for multifamily housing, townhomes, and mixed-use projects continued to rise. Population growth, quality-of-life amenities, and proximity to employment centers helped support activity despite higher interest rates and a more disciplined lending environment.
At the same time, economic and political uncertainty caused some private projects to remain on the sidelines. Developers were more cautious, delaying starts while monitoring financing costs, regulatory conditions, and broader market signals. Tourism — particularly in the Saratoga market — continued to serve as a stabilizing force, driving renovation and expansion projects tied to hospitality, entertainment, and seasonal housing.
Beneath these market dynamics, however, a more pressing issue came into even sharper focus in 2025: the shortage of skilled labor. Across the construction trades, workforce availability increasingly dictated project schedules, costs, and overall capacity. While demand for construction services remained relatively stable, the lack of skilled workers limited how much work could realistically be delivered.
As we enter 2026, the region’s construction outlook remains favorable, and in many ways stronger than a year ago. The region continues to attract new residents, families, and professionals drawn by strong schools, community amenities, and expanding employment opportunities. That growth supports ongoing demand for residential construction, particularly multifamily and workforce housing that is affordable and attainable. Public infrastructure and municipal investment will remain important stabilizers, providing consistent work across multiple trades.
Confidence in the region’s long-term fundamentals remains strong. However, the construction industry’s workforce challenge has shifted from a background concern to a strategic priority that will define how much of this opportunity can be realized in 2026 and beyond.
As experienced tradespeople retire and fewer young people traditionally enter the trades, the gap between project demand and available labor continues to widen. Left unaddressed, this gap threatens housing availability, infrastructure delivery, business expansion, and long-term community growth.
That is why organizations like the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition are playing such a critical role in shaping the future of construction in our region. Now operating as a not-for-profit organization, the coalition was founded by the Saratoga Builders Association and Curtis Lumber Co. with a clear mission: to drive awareness about the rewarding and lucrative opportunities available in the trades and to rebuild the talent pipeline from the ground up.
The coalition emphasizes early exposure, education, and opportunity. It works to reach students as early as elementary school, while also engaging parents, school counselors, educators, and supporting businesses along the way. This early and inclusive approach is essential to changing long-held misconceptions about the trades.
Through hands-on classroom activities, industry presentations, and direct engagement with construction professionals, the coalition shows students that modern construction careers involve problem-solving, technology, and teamwork — not just physical labor. These programs reposition the trades as respected, rewarding, and financially viable career paths. The trades are not a default from college; college is simply one of many paths to a successful future.
Equally important, the coalition serves as a bridge between education and industry. By partnering with contractors, suppliers, trade associations, and community organizations, it supports job shadowing, site visits, and internship opportunities that allow young people to experience construction firsthand. In a region where employers are actively seeking skilled workers, these connections are essential.
The construction outlook for our region in 2026 can be summed up simply: opportunity rich, but workforce dependent. Residential and mixed-use development is expected to continue, driven by population growth and an ongoing housing shortage. Infrastructure investment will remain a stabilizing force. But growth will only materialize if we invest in people.
Buildings, roads, and infrastructure are essential — but skilled workers are the true foundation of our industry’s future. By supporting workforce development and organizations like the Northeast Construction Trades Workforce Coalition, our region is not just responding to today’s labor challenges. It is proactively building a talent pipeline that will support construction, economic vitality, and community growth for years to come.