Strong contractors ready for pull back from boom

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I am always amazed that whenever we slow down enough to reflect on the past and ponder the future. |ret||ret||tab|

One subject, the one I disliked the most in school, history, seems to hold a common thread linking the past, present and future. |ret||ret||tab|

While looking into the crystal ball of the future, we must wonder if the children and grandchildren we have raised are going to have what it takes and be as wise as we turned out to be. |ret||ret||tab|

If you think we have concerns about today's generation, can you imagine how confused and truly concerned, if not outright panicked, our parents had to be during the '60s and '70s? |ret||ret||tab|

Once again, history has proven that Mother Nature will prevail and that, generally speaking, all is well with the human race.|ret||ret||tab|

The overall general economy will continue to remain steady. With record high employment (or low unemployment, depending on your view), there would normally be some substantial upward pressure on wages and cost of consumer goods, what some people call inflation. |ret||ret||tab|

However, in today's economy, these rising costs seem to be only modest at best, even with rising interest rates.|ret||ret||tab|

One factor most historical economic theories do not sufficiently provide for is the rampant advances of technology we have experienced in recent years. |ret||ret||tab|

With the explosion of the computer world and all of the technological advances brought on by the vast wealth of knowledge available to us, we are able to produce products more efficiently than during any other industrial period in history. |ret||ret||tab|

Can you imagine returning to the era of the No. 2 pencil and Big Chief tablet?|ret||ret||tab|

Turning our attention to matters closer at hand, what does 2000 hold for the economic benefit of the Springfield area construction industry?|ret||ret||tab|

Interviews with area engineers, architects, bankers and contractors indicate the same continued optimistic outlook we have experienced in recent years. Current planning for construction continues at a very steady pace. |ret||ret||tab|

Since the last Springfield and Branson boom about five years ago, we experienced a slowdown during the next couple of years and have been in an upward movement for the past three years. General opinion and historical indicators would project that we are in a position to begin a leveling off period. |ret||ret||tab|

The market is strong enough that we could sustain some slight increase, but not the expansion of 1999.|ret||ret||tab|

Almost all phases of construction will remain strong. Both public and private sectors indicate continued steady development. |ret||ret||tab|

Retail and commercial businesses continue to expand and build new facilities. City and county governments continue to provide necessary facilities and services for our expanding community. |ret||ret||tab|

State and federal monies continue to build roads and improve our infrastructure. Airport expansion is continuing on a steady pace. |ret||ret||tab|

Utility companies have stepped forward to meet the new demands for industry and power. |ret||ret||tab|

In general, the economy seems to be working the way most people think it should.|ret||ret||tab|

So, for all of you who have been raiding the grocery store, stocking up on canned goods, depleting the banking system of cash, reducing the Homelite chain saw inventory to the point of extinction and hoarding all of the Honda generators, relax! |ret||ret||tab|

History indicates that we will survive year 2000 with, or without, the bug. Oh, by the way, don't forget the gasoline and the manual can opener.|ret||ret||tab|

(Cliff Kennedy is president of the Springfield Contractors Association.)[[In-content Ad]]