A GROWING INDUSTRY Georgia Construction Industry Outlook

Georgia construction contractors are optimistic about their businesses seeing an uptick of volume in 2022 despite ongoing rising costs and labor challenges, according to survey results obtained by the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage.

Respondents reported they expect to see an available dollar value increase in Manufacturing, Hospital, Other Healthcare, Multifamily Residential, Water/Sewer, Federal, Higher Education and Warehouse projects. Additionally, 61 percent of respondents said their volume of business already matches or exceeds 2020 levels.

However, the pandemic is still ravaging the supply chain, and coupled with the labor shortage, Georgia contractors are feeling the crunch. Material costs and availability/supply-chain disruptions are top-of-mind concerns for Georgia contractors in 2022.

To view the Georgia results of the 2022 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Survey, please visit https://bit.ly/33SOjq4. To view national results of the survey, please visit https://bit.ly/34a4fEa.

So, just how has the pandemic affected projects? Seventy percent of respondents said that projects have taken longer than anticipated, in addition to 49 percent reporting costs have been higher than anticipated. Retail, private office and lodging are expected to see lower available dollar value of projects compared to 2021.

Nationally, contractors are most optimistic about the market for highway and bridge construction. This optimism stems from expected increased federal investments from the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure bill that should also increase demand for transit, rail and airports projects. ■