Future looks optimistic for construction industry
by Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association
There is something kind of intoxicating about spending time to create an article to share with the community you love. As this inaugural issue of Prescott LIVING Magazine rolls off the press and hits the streets, a feeling of happy energy, love and thankfulness for living, working and being a part of a truly wonderful place in the universe warmed my heart.
What’s next for the construction industry and us? The answer is fresh new beginnings.
Like the quote, “Just when the caterpillar thought life was over, he transformed into a butterfly,” we all need to live to be the best. We live in cities and towns throughout a nation and in a wider world where changes always happen – changes we will continue to see happen, as long as there is life on this planet. What a ride it has been so far!
We’ve seen men walk on the moon and women, too, launched into space; we’ve grown to love organic produce and exercise. We have embraced green building technologies; we’re watching driverless cars develop and thousands of new words added to the dictionary such as completionist, slacktivism and breakfunch, which is something I do all day – eating small meals between breakfast and lunch. Everyone is wearing a smartwatch or an exercise band that tells us we have slept well and how many steps we have taken during the day. Just imagine what might be on the horizon…
Looking toward the horizon of construction, some see the potential for higher mortgage rates that could lead to a tougher home-selling and buying environment; some see a higher rise in material costs and construction costs. But regardless of where it goes from here, few expect the recent activity to stop anytime soon.
The buyers who are currently kicking Prescott’s home building’s tires are coming from near and far. Some of the reasons driving the uptick in activity are based on perennial trends—the recovery started in some markets as early as 2010. Other factors have to do with specific, fundamental demographic and capital shifts—millennials are coming; baby boomers are retiring; families are moving in and our area is growing. Buyers are allocating capital to the markets where they feel they have the best growth prospects relative to their own investment objectives.
If anyone had asked me years ago if I thought I would be executive director of a construction industry organization, I probably would have said, “Are you kidding?” Now it is 2017 and after nearly 11 years as the proud executive director of YCCA, I am still energized and thrilled to continue growing the promise of the construction industry. I continue to love to be the best, and remain optimistic about tomorrow, next week, next year and all the years beyond to promote an industry that built America.
We are fortunate to live in the Quad-City area, with its temperate climate, forests, lakes, hiking, biking, array of culture and amenities, Old West flair and warm community spirit. Now, more families and businesses are discovering the region’s appeal and opportunities.
Those of you who know me, know that I am an eternal optimist. I am always searching for a glow and a gleam of hope. I know it is a nice outlook, but not always an easy attitude. We all have those enthusiastic work weeks, but are then confronted by every hurdle imaginable and find ourselves looking down and not up. This is the construction industry, in a nutshell. Our industry still faces challenges and obstacles and hurdles, but optimism will reign. So, here is to peace and optimism in your world!
