Officials say unemployment in construction-related fields could’ve been worse in the state without the University of Delaware.
John Casey, Executive Vice President for the Delaware Contractors Association, notes that the school spent a total of nearly $275 million since June of 2010.
65 percent or $175 million of that went to local firms.
WDDE speaks with state authorities on the state of the construction industry and role of University of Delaware projects.
WDDE speaks with state authorities on the state of the construction industry and role of University of Delaware projects.
[flashvideo file=http://www.wdde.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/contractors.flv image="none"/]
Casey says that’s a significant number when the market lost nearly 40 percent of its workforce.
“When [the University was] going pretty strongly, they had as many as 500 construction workers on campus here at a particular time. Obviously, those 500 folks probably would’ve been on the unemployment rolls,” said Casey.
State Labor Secretary John McMahon agrees those jobs have been significant to a Delaware construction market that lost about 10,000 jobs over the past few years.
Looking ahead, McMahon estimates a fairly flat growth for this year until the federal government finalizes a deal on across the board cuts set to take effect March 1st.
“But I think once it starts, you’re going to see it just grow quickly and dramatically. And once the Congress decides what it’s going to do, that’s going to have a tremendous effect on all of the states and what the states can do,” said McMahon.
But some in the industry are already seeing some signs of additional life. Representatives from multinational company Skanska say they’ve noticed business picking up in New Castle County, particularly in the medical sector.
UD is also preparing to start some new projects. University officials say plans to build new residence halls and remodel current ones, as well as continue development of its new research-focused STAR campus are nearly ready to begin the bid process.