MECHANICAL CONTRACTING Q&A
in putting together a coalition of construction industry experts who have been working with FASB toward a resolution of this issue. phc: What are some market segments that could be on the rise for 2011?
Rogers: As I travel around the country, I hear that power, petroleum, healthcare, education and water infrastructure are expected to grow. Architects’ billings have gone up, so they’re being rehired for conceptual work. I read a survey of construction executives who see growth coming, and confidence is increasing. My company is doing a great deal of healthcare work in Philadelphia. We’re in an area densely populated with healthcare institutions, research facilities and higher education. A lot of renovation is going on, and we land our share of the upgrades. A couple of the hospitals where we work have more energy-efficient equipment going in, and they’re getting federal grants for some of the work. We hope to see more federal support for energy efficiency work coming out of Washington, particularly if some of the Better Buildings Initiative incentives
advocated by President Obama are enacted by Congress this year. phc: I’ve heard a lot about stimulus money driving jobs in the construction market, and that is starting to dry up. What can contractors do to stem the current economic tide? Rogers: This year we have a great opportunity to support the energy
As contractors, it is important for us to do what we can to
control our costs and stay competitive.
We’re also adopting new technologies and streamlining our processes and
creatively adding value to our projects.
efficiency market by urging Congress to expand federal tax incentives for
private investment. We are working hard lobbying for an expansion of the federal commercial building tax incentives for building efficiency. In President Obama’s budget released this February he proposed turning the current deduction into a more generous credit. We will also urge elected officials to encourage the banks to loosen credit terms, continue to finance projects and continue to make money available to businesses to expand and grow.
phc: For contractors that can’t make the Maui convention, explain the significance of attending a regional educational seminar, etc. Rogers: Change is a given these days.
The most successful contractors are the ones that get out ahead of the changing business environment. One of the best ways to do that is to attend any MCAA event you see that catches your eye and is related to your business. You will either learn something new that you can use, or it will validate what you’re already doing. MCAA prides itself on being the “education association,” and we make a wide range of opportunities available each year on cutting edge topics.;
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e Circle 18 on reader reply card
phc march 2011
www.phcnews.com
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